The Team!
Beach party on quad bikes.
.
Fi enjoying a natural jacuzzi.
Hurricane Dean in full blow.
Last meal before the hurricane.
This is a story of two halves - firstly the fun side of life here, followed by the terrifying bit.
Last Sunday we set of early to the south of the Island to go on a four-hour quad bike ride. We first headed off through an old mango plantation where they grow 17 different varieties. We were able to taste lots of different fruits as our guide stopped every now and again as he spotted ripe delicacies. We quenched our thirst with fresh star fruit juice and spring water. The tracks got a bit more sporting as we headed off through the rain forest going deep into the valley. The other three were driving very fast but I chose to go a little more sedately, so he eventually changed the drive order to let them give it some wellie! We crossed a river and parked up to have a swim in the very cold water. It was so invigorating! We all took turns in sitting in the natural jacuzzi, and then let go of our grip to get whooshed away in the current. The next stop was to look at the remains of an old sugar plantation mill, waterwheel and viaduct which were constructed in UK over 100 years ago and then shipped to St Lucia and put together on site. Continuing on through a banana plantation we arrived on a beach. where we really got some speed up and everyone enjoyed. It was certainly a great day out which we will do again.
The next few days were spent in a “ will it, won’t it” quandary, as everyone discussed Hurricane Dean’s progress. By Wednesday it was looking bad for us, as the whole of the bay began taking steps to secure boats and property. More boats started to arrive from every possible direction and the mangrove was the favourite place to stick boats’ noses into, lashed with rope to tree trunks. We were fortunate enough to have organised a double berth for just such an eventuality when we first arrived so Wine Down was parked in the middle with storm chains around each pylon and 18 warps going every which way plus two anchors out the front. We also stripped her of all sails, lines and loose objects. It was a huge amount of hard work for Jeff and John and they made a fantastic job of making sure she was secure. Fi made chocolate brownies in case things got really serious and then she and I got a lift on a fast RIB up to Rodney bay on Thursday morning for last minute provisions, more chain and a visit to the Dr’s for me. The sea was already rough with a big swell and there was an eerie look to the sky. When we got back Jeff and John had done the final tying up on our boat and were busy helping out on the super motor yacht next to us. It was then time to stow away down below and pack a hurricane bag for the next 24 hours.
We decamped to Doreen’s house with our paperwork, documents, food parcels and water. The first winds arrived soon after, as did heavy rain and we were very soon plunged into darkness as the transformer outside the house sparked blue and fizzled out. The rest of the night was spent listening to strengthening winds and howling rain. We got very little sleep and at times the noise was terrifying. We had a puppy rottweiler to keep us company but he was just as scared and spent a lot of time snuggled up to Fi. Half way through the night he needed to do the business, which meant brave souls taking him out onto the back patio. It was a relief when dawn came, even though that was the height of the hurricane. We were able to look out of the kitchen window door at the great rollers smashing into properties and restaurants in the bay. An hour later Jeff and John ventured out to check on the boat and thank goodness all was well - not a scratch. The trip up the hill to see the house was a little trickier as trees were down and there was still a lot of water running off the hillside. Once again we were in luck - only one tree down and that had fallen away from the house. What a relief, as one restaurant in the bay was washed away completely and another was badly damaged. Chateau Mygo only had one plank loose and a few of the stuffed parrots had flown off, so we all feel we got off lightly. John’s flight home was only delayed eight hours although the drive to the airport was difficult as the rains were still heavy and debris littered the roads as well as some flooding from the swollen rivers. He looked tired as he left and I bet he slept all the way - we couldn’t have done without him.
We have had a big clean up since then and Wine Down is back to normal. In fact the weather is back to normal - sunny skies and a light breeze, ideal sun-downing weather! Time for a beer or two and reflect how fortunate we had been that Dean had hit us as only a Category 2. As I write she is about to hit Jamaica as a full-blown 4.
Last Sunday we set of early to the south of the Island to go on a four-hour quad bike ride. We first headed off through an old mango plantation where they grow 17 different varieties. We were able to taste lots of different fruits as our guide stopped every now and again as he spotted ripe delicacies. We quenched our thirst with fresh star fruit juice and spring water. The tracks got a bit more sporting as we headed off through the rain forest going deep into the valley. The other three were driving very fast but I chose to go a little more sedately, so he eventually changed the drive order to let them give it some wellie! We crossed a river and parked up to have a swim in the very cold water. It was so invigorating! We all took turns in sitting in the natural jacuzzi, and then let go of our grip to get whooshed away in the current. The next stop was to look at the remains of an old sugar plantation mill, waterwheel and viaduct which were constructed in UK over 100 years ago and then shipped to St Lucia and put together on site. Continuing on through a banana plantation we arrived on a beach. where we really got some speed up and everyone enjoyed. It was certainly a great day out which we will do again.
The next few days were spent in a “ will it, won’t it” quandary, as everyone discussed Hurricane Dean’s progress. By Wednesday it was looking bad for us, as the whole of the bay began taking steps to secure boats and property. More boats started to arrive from every possible direction and the mangrove was the favourite place to stick boats’ noses into, lashed with rope to tree trunks. We were fortunate enough to have organised a double berth for just such an eventuality when we first arrived so Wine Down was parked in the middle with storm chains around each pylon and 18 warps going every which way plus two anchors out the front. We also stripped her of all sails, lines and loose objects. It was a huge amount of hard work for Jeff and John and they made a fantastic job of making sure she was secure. Fi made chocolate brownies in case things got really serious and then she and I got a lift on a fast RIB up to Rodney bay on Thursday morning for last minute provisions, more chain and a visit to the Dr’s for me. The sea was already rough with a big swell and there was an eerie look to the sky. When we got back Jeff and John had done the final tying up on our boat and were busy helping out on the super motor yacht next to us. It was then time to stow away down below and pack a hurricane bag for the next 24 hours.
We decamped to Doreen’s house with our paperwork, documents, food parcels and water. The first winds arrived soon after, as did heavy rain and we were very soon plunged into darkness as the transformer outside the house sparked blue and fizzled out. The rest of the night was spent listening to strengthening winds and howling rain. We got very little sleep and at times the noise was terrifying. We had a puppy rottweiler to keep us company but he was just as scared and spent a lot of time snuggled up to Fi. Half way through the night he needed to do the business, which meant brave souls taking him out onto the back patio. It was a relief when dawn came, even though that was the height of the hurricane. We were able to look out of the kitchen window door at the great rollers smashing into properties and restaurants in the bay. An hour later Jeff and John ventured out to check on the boat and thank goodness all was well - not a scratch. The trip up the hill to see the house was a little trickier as trees were down and there was still a lot of water running off the hillside. Once again we were in luck - only one tree down and that had fallen away from the house. What a relief, as one restaurant in the bay was washed away completely and another was badly damaged. Chateau Mygo only had one plank loose and a few of the stuffed parrots had flown off, so we all feel we got off lightly. John’s flight home was only delayed eight hours although the drive to the airport was difficult as the rains were still heavy and debris littered the roads as well as some flooding from the swollen rivers. He looked tired as he left and I bet he slept all the way - we couldn’t have done without him.
We have had a big clean up since then and Wine Down is back to normal. In fact the weather is back to normal - sunny skies and a light breeze, ideal sun-downing weather! Time for a beer or two and reflect how fortunate we had been that Dean had hit us as only a Category 2. As I write she is about to hit Jamaica as a full-blown 4.
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