Spanish Virgin Islands–with guests

After a long haul east along the south coast of Puerto Rico, it was nice to have a goal of meeting some visitors and exploring the Spanish Virgin Islands with them. Even nicer was the fact that it was my Mum coming to stay, egged on and accompanied by Sally.

After much deliberating and planning we decided to meet the guests in a bay that was not in the cruising guide, just round the corner from Las Croabas. A large bay protected by a reef with lots of turquois water. The car hire firm delivered our car and off we went to the super market to fill the cupboards, then once that was all packed away a quick trip to the airport.

 

 

On our return with the guests we realised why not so many yachts anchor in our bay, a northerly swell was hitting us side on making the boat roll terribly, and the guests a bit Ill. Not a good start. Not a good nights sleep for the skipper.

 

 

In the morning the gap out of the reef was a lot smaller than when we came in, and with waves breaking all around we were very relieved to be out in open water.

 

In our first nights stop we found some great snorkelling, world class according to the guide book. Sally found a conch that was big enough to be eaten, so we set about the long process of making chowder.

 

 

 

 

Firstly making a hole in the top to cut through its ‘tail’ which it attaches to the inside of the shell, being sure to hold onto its claw.

 

 

 

 

 

If its done right eventually you can pull out the large lump of fleshy slime ready to be skinned and chopped up and put into you favourite dish.

You are also lucky enough to be left with a very nice shell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our second day we were lucky enough to catch a small tuna, small but plenty enough for steaks for 4. After much fighting he was subdued by firing cheap rum into his gills with a water pistol, then when a bit calmer we chopped off his head, just to make sure.

 

The tuna was saved for a feast at our beach BBQ, along with coconuts, baked spuds and marshmallows.

 

 

 

 

Whilst Sally seemed to spend her time in the water cataloguing the fish in the area, mum spent her time knitting, gifting Di with a rather fine hat.

 

We had been advised by our friends on Vontana that we must visit the beautiful and quiet bay of tortuga on the north side of Cubrilita. When we arrived it seemed that half of Puerto Rico had the same idea as it was a bank holiday weekend. The walk to the top of the island was much more peaceful with a fine view of the chaos below.

 

 

 

We also swam in the magical phosphorescent waters of Viaques, drank painkiller cocktails at sunset and ventured up the mangrove rivers of Las Croabas. We hiked in the rain forest of Yunque. Managing to fit in a couple of meals out and a couple of days lazing about doing even less than normal, we managed to pack in a lot to a 10 day trip.

 

 

Summers officially over in Canada

 

September 19 - Keswick, Canada

Its cold in Canada

Last week it decided that the summer was over here in Canada. The temperature dropped by 10 degrees and the weather forecast was warning of frost at night. So its time to pack up this house and move south to Florida where the sun shines all day, apart from a 3pm when it rains for 20 minutes to keep the humidity up.

 

 

 

The drop Big Chute Avoids

Before we left there was time to visit a few more places up here. Along the Severn Trent water-way, which connects many lakes with canals and locks so pleasure boats can by pass Niagara, there are a few interesting variations on the classic lock. The Big Chute marine railway was made so you don't have to ride these rapids.

 

 

 

Big Chute sled

This sled lowers in the water at one side, you drive your boat in and it is lifted into slings on the sled.

 

 

 

Big Chute marine railway

The sled then is lowered down these tracks to the water below. A 10 minute journey, sounds hairy to me.

 

 

 

 

 

Kirkfield lift lock

In Kirkfield there is a hydraulic lift lock. There are two boxes on large hydraulic rams. You drive your boat into the box, the doors are shut and the top lift is loaded with a foot more water than the bottom lift.

 

 

 

Kirkfield LIft Lock

When the brakes are taken off up (or down) you go just with the extra weight of water. Fast and fascinating.

 

 

 

Blue Jays ball game

We also managed to visit down town Toronto and see a base ball game. Key points to note, beer is very expensive, $10 dollars a can, glad we smuggled in some wine gums.

 

 

Star batter with broken legs

This is the Blue Jays star player who didn't score any points, or runs, or rounder's, or whatever they are. Looks like he had a problem with his legs too poor guy. Lastly, if you are a Blue Jays fan, it is not a good idea, like one young lady we saw, to paint the initials of you team name on your cheeks, it may give people the wrong impression.

 

Delivering Jet Ski in the cold

So we are packing up the house, putting away the tennis court, Jacuzzi, boats and golf courses. Di bravely volunteered to drive the Jet Ski to the storage place across the lake on a chilly day. Roll on Florida.

 

 

Sound advice

One important note from this sign on my soon to be ex-lawn mower; it seems to be saying, when driving over toddlers, do it in reverse.

 

 

 

Headin' south

So its time to head for warmer climes, at what more appropriate a carriage than this, luckily we don’t have much luggage.

Summer in Canada

 

August 14, 2011 - Algonquin Park, Canada

When in Canada

When we have the chance of some more days off we visited Algonquin National Park further North. Mostly trees, lakes and paths. We felt obliged to take a quick trip on a canoe. But after 15 minutes paddling and unable to find the sails we turned back.

 

 

Rainy day walks in the park

We walked some of the shorter trals in the park and enjoyed the views. The weather was mostly kind, apart from when we put the top down on the car or went for a walk.

 

 

 

Smaller cabin on the lake

We stayed in a lovely log cabin on the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visited the logging museum and learned all we needed to know about chopping down trees in Canada. Could wait to get back and start up the chain saw.

Driving around Canada

The drive was always enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

Quiet rivers

The scenery peaceful.

 

 

 

 

Enjoying the speed boat

When we have time we like to go for a spin in the boat. Although its nice to be back on the water bouncing along at speed with all that noise does not compare to the tranquillity and serenity of drifting along under the power of the wind alone.

 

 

Our new home on the lake

 

July 15, 2011 - Keswick, Canada

Beechcroft House

This is Beechwood, our new home for the Summer. A beautiful House on the lake. 

 

 

 

Spacious bedroom

We have a very comfortable apartment with a large bedroom and huge lounge.

 

 

 

Our lounge

 

 

 

 

 

Woodchuck, or Groundhog, that lives under the porch

This is our closest neighbour who lives under the porch.

 

 

 

Lunch above the falls

After a hard first two week in the height of the Summer season we drove to Niagara on our first day of and had lunch in a restaurant at the top of a Tower overlooking the falls.

 

 

 

 

The fleet

The cars we get to drive, and clean.

 

 

 

 

Beechcroft House

Some of the expansive lawn, that needs mowing.

 

 

 

 

Beechcroft House

 

 

 

 

 

Barneys tractor

But we have the tools for the job.

 

 

 

 

Dock on the lake

The large dock on the lake.

 

 

 

 

Dock on the lake

 

 

 

 

 

Some people visit the farm, or it comes to you.

During one busy party a petting zoo came to visit for the kids ( and adults ) to pet.

UK visit with tree swinging via NY

 

July 1, 2011 - Scarborough, United Kingdom

New York tourists

We left Sea Gal in a hurry. Just enough time to cover the hatches and show Geoff how to work the bilge pump. We flew via New York on the cheapest deal we could find, which meant a 9 hour stop over. We decided to make the most of our time and caught the train into the city for a bit of tourism. After a couple of hours walking and shopping the tourists were a bit jaded.

Happy at last

But this put a smile on their faces, along with a fat boy lunch in our 'usual' restaurant under the Empire State Building. Most people visit this building to go to the top, we are usually in a hurry or cant afford the rise, so go to the basement instead for beer and burgers.

Going Ape team

Once back in the UK we spent a few days in Bristol and Bath with Lindy, Fiona, Bill, Rory and Josie. The a rush round the UK to Kingston(Jerry), Lindfield ( Jason et al), Ipswich (Jams), Doncaster(Natalie) and finally to Ganton to see Iris and join in with her 70th birthday celebrations.

Yvonne the monkey

For the main event we went to a Go Ape facility which has you swinging around in the trees and travelling down long zip wires.

Stepping stones in the trees

Diane on the zip line

Ready for the zip wire

Iris managed to complete the course and here she is with a big smile about to jump from the top of a tree to zip wire 200ft above the car park.

Iris above the car park

We had a whirlwind 10 days in the UK, but managed to catch up with many of our nearest and dearest.. so on to Canada and a new adventure.