There have been changes at the restaurants at Porto Cupecoy: the restaurant in the right-hand corner, down near the waterfront, is now called Big Cee's -- it appears to be associated with the nearby Steve'z Bar. Above Big Cee's is a new Chinese/Japanese restaurant called Ginger 2. Thai Savanh has been gone for a while. Ernest and Fidel's slot is still vacant. Altro's is there, although currently closed. Rendezvous Lounge continues -- last Sunday the jazz concert with horns was in fine fettle. Mama Pizza and Pasta is open.

The vegetable farm at the end of Tigris Road (past AUC and the Caribbean International Academy) is now closed. Weeds are growing up in the former vegetable beds, and the door is locked.

Of the various Cupecoy beaches, the one closest to Mullet Bay has the most sand. The one near Dany's Bar has a little sand, but not as much as it used to on a good week in years past. The intermediate beaches are all rocks, without sand at all.

Last weekend, the sargassum situation at Orient Beach wasn't bad -- a little bit on shore, but none in the water.

The second tower of the Fourteen at Mullet Bay monstrosity (the twin towers) is now up to about the 9th floor. Construction work continues daily, unfortunately, even on Sundays.

Many roads on both sides of the island have been patched recently, with some stretches repaved with fresh asphalt. Better and better.

The gut (near Gutside Restaurant) has been cleared of trash and weeds. Well done!

The big piles of sargassum at Cul de Sac have been cleaned up. It isn't as stinky as it used to be -- just a little sargassum on the ground.

Various commercial construction projects continue on the French side -- new stores are going up near Grand Case.

Yesterday Grand Case was charming -- can't say why, but it seems to be doing better than recent years. Maybe it was just because we got a seaside table at one of the lolos, and the view, as usual, was perfect.