It is taking a while for me to get my landlegs back. Not to mention my office legs!

First off - Big Apologies to Kimmers, Lew and Gordaguy for not holding up our end of a rendezvous at Leverick Bay last July 28. We developed problems with our port engine and had to return to Trellis Bay to meet TMM's crack road crew. I am sorry to miss meeting you and of course the Mock Jumbies. We'll hope for better luck next year!

Some quick hits about our trip -

For the 1st time we had issues to deal with. First was the weather. A wave hit the islands and rained on our first 3 days then TS CHRIS came along a few days later. With young kids aboard being cooped-up in a cabin can be a challenge (Lord save me from another game of Uno <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/drown.gif" alt="" />), but we met several other families also driven to Sopers Hole by CHRIS and play dates were arranged all around. The parents had to do a bit of socializing too so maybe a beer or two may have been passed around. CHRIS certainly screwed-up our itinerary but we made some great friends and now we'll just have to go back again next year to see what we missed this time.

The 2nd issue was condition of Baloo of London. We lost the port engine the first day and continued to have problems throughout the trip. The generator's impellor blew, which left us without the AC. We are not the fragile type and normally would have shrugged this off, but with the cabin being buttoned-up for 5 days due to the TW and CHRIS those are exactly the reason we ordered the generator boat.

Which brings me to TMM. As you might imagine, due to CHRIS and the mechanical issues we got to know them rather better than anticipated. Would first say that Sam, Penny, Joseph, Matt and the new mechanic Marvin are great. And Joyce their housekeeper is a gem. TMM was quick to respond to our problems and Joseph and Marvin became like members of our family - since they spent about half our trip aboard. Have only chartered with TMM this one time so don't have a big perspective on this, but it is almost like there is an A fleet and B fleet at TMM. Cattitude, La Joie de Vivre, Jeannius and the other Privilege seemed in pristine condition, but Baloo for one was not up to par. Maybe some others can share their insights one way or the other.

Leverick Bay - even tho we missed the Friday night BBQ and stilt walkers and even in a 3 day downpour, LB is a great place to be. Nick and Monica make everyone feel right at home. In BVI and particularly in VG's North Sound there are many fine places to go, but the combination of LB's friendliness and facilities makes it a top destination. Nick rode around the moorings in a downpour Saturday afternoon to all the rain-sodden boats inviting us in to the docks - "Too nasty, come in and stay awhile" he urged. We were able to dry our towels at their laundry, me and the kids enjoyed the pool, The Admiral visited the spa, and Nick arranged a car from Speedys for us to do a land tour of VG and The Baths. That is an amazing ride down the spine of Virgin Gorda. Like our time in Sopers Hole, we can thank the weather for that experience.


C&F Restaurant - what a terrific eatery! They serve enough food to feed the Spanish Armada. Thank goodness the cabbie knew the way because it is off the beaten-track in Roadtown. If you have already done Spaghetti Junction and other waterfront favorites in RT I recommend C&F for some good down-home chow. What took me so long?!

Disposable Underwater Cameras - just a waste, not a single shot came out. The kids loved taking pix of each other and fish. They will be very disappointed. Why do they sell those things? Granted, it was overcast (ok - raining), but but but....

Our BreezeBoosters worked like magic! Even with all the rain we were able to keep the Port Ventilators for the portlights up in all but the windiest periods. They saved us from suffocation. Sturdy too. Nice to find a product that does what it promises. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />


JVD Scuba - is a terrific operation. Colin and Andrea have a contagious enthusiasm and I suspect they will be very successful. Our kids loved the Discover Scuba class and it seemed the right balance of safety and experience. The class was billed as 2.5 hrs but by the time Colin returned my crew to White Bay with all smiles it was more like 4 hours. My only complaint is their new assistant - Kyle (?), is way too dangerously hunky. My 16 y.o. daughter nearly went AWOL!! Colin gave us a heads-up about TS CHRIS and invited us to stay with him if things got ugly. TMM understandably wanted us back in Tortola but his offer was greatly appreciated - especially so early when it did seem a direct hit was coming.


The sea life seemed to be teeming. I don't know if it was dumb luck or things are improving, but we have never seen as many turtles as this trip. Porpoise, rays and tarpon were plentiful too. Before we left I saw several posts about the health of the reefs. I don't know enough about coral to contribute to that discussion, but would say that at Monkey Pt., White Bay's east end and The Indians the snorkeling was great. If the WOW factor indicates the reefs are doing well, then things are positive.

Lastly, there was a Kneafsey sighting in Little Harbor, JVD. A brief one however because ARISTOCAT II pulled into Sidney's for dinner, then afterward promptly sailed off into the darkness. Must have been those "critter fritters" were sold out. LOL.


Thanks to everyone here for the great suggestions and advice that made our family's trip memorable. And thanks also to the terrific folks in BVI. It may be Nature's Secret but its the people you meet that we so often remember.