02 March 2011
March 1, 2011
Tuesday
Hi All,
I hope everyone was safe during Louisville’s recent tornados. Seems the crazy weather is starting early. Tom & I both got phone calls at 4:30 a.m. that morning from the automated news alerts we are still on ! We have had unusual winds here as well. It seems since last week the winds have been coming from the North which cool things down just a little, but have also brought very strong winds.
We spent several days at Francis Bay, St. John hooked up to a mooring ball and waiting for the winds to die down some. My mother, Linda has been with us since last Wednesday afternoon. She is having a good time and slowing to island time with us. She and Savannah are inseparable. As I write, they are sitting in the salon doing schoolwork together. Savannah sleeps with her each night and I hear her laughter echoing as my mother makes up stories to tell. Savannah encourages Tom and I daily to, “Go on a date,” so she can have Memaw Linda all to herself!
Yesterday we cleared through customs into the British Virgin Islands and spent the night in Soper’s Hole Marina (on a mooring ball) which is located at the west end of Tortola. Right now we are sailing with the engines running, Tom is driving & well, I’m writing to you.
Mom seems to be enjoying her time with us. She’s adjusted to the motion of the boat, riding in the dinghy and showering; although I’m not sure she’s keen on showering in an area the size of a very small closet. The other day, with our friends Holly & Larry (Larry has lots of sailing/boating experience) we sailed out past the calmer of water into big swells of 7-9 feet and in winds of about 25 knots. Mom stood, bracing herself, tightly holding on, but smiling and enjoying these moments; something I thought she might very much dislike. During that time we also had two large dolphin swim beside us. They were bigger than Tom and three times as thick.
Today we are headed to Virgin Gorda; or at least that’s the plan at the moment. Leverick Bay Marina has a guy named Michael Bean who does a funny comedy/music routine which includes lots of, “Aaaarrrgggs!” and pirate jokes and trivia getting his happy hour audience involved. Mom has yet to have a Painkiller; one of the signature drinks of the islands. I think she is overdue and needs to experience how the natives use a lot more rum than mixers!
At Honeymoon Beach, Water Island Savannah not only made lots of friends but she also got a job… a job at Joe’s Bar! There is nothing like your 7 year old daughter saying to you, “Mom I need a wallet to keep my money in; I got a job at the bar.” Thank goodness she’s only sweeping the small patio once a week for a dollar with her 9 year old friend Nicole (whose parents also happen to own the bar).
All for now,
Rhonda