Phone Blogging

I had some challenges blogging and using Sylken Sea email from my previous phone. Seems now there were account conflicts with Google Apps and accounts running on my older Samsung (Android 4.4). Now using an unlocked international Google Pixel and Android 8 OS. No bloatware,  junk apps, all Chrome. So far working great, 2 days into it.

Maria

Gut wrenching is the only way I can describe the feeling as images and information slowly emerge from Dominica. I don't know how they will rebuild.

Irma

It is painful to watch the destruction this storm has inflicted and we fear that many of our friends will be affected.  These are wonderful islands, warm friendly people many of whom do not have the resources that we take for granted. Many of the vendors we have dealt with for fresh produce rely on their garden plots to provide them a living. Small restaurant owners, street vendors, cafe owners etc rely on the tourist season to earn an income and support their families. The local fishermen operate out of small open boats, many of which I am sure have been swept away.  In a few terrifying hours many have lost all including their homes and schools. It will take months and perhaps years for many to recover, our hearts go out to them.

Sylken Sea was very fortunate, we hauled in Antigua last May and went into covered storage. Although only 40 miles south of Barbuda, Antigua suffered much less damage and we are told the boat yard did a great job preparing for the storm and did not suffer any significant damage.  North Sound Marina is a modern boatyard, all concrete with good services.

Sylken Sea Update

Been awhile, no excuse. Home projects, family, golf.......you understand I'm sure.  We were hauled in Antigua, doing some really neat upgrades, will post details, stand by.

Carnival, Martinique

What a party! We enjoyed 4 days of Carnival in Fort de France Martinique, drums and more drums, colourful costumes, one big street party. Really glad we were able to see this spectacle!

Sylvianne, Al & Brenda

Vaval

Solar

We decide to add Soliban Solar panels, the light weight allows us to mount them on the existing Bimini. We installed multiple panels with individual controllers on the advice of Ocean Planet Energy. Really pleased so far, even on overcast days we get significant output.

64W panel, we installed 9 of these.

Controller board installed 

Building the controller board

Panels installed on the existing Bimini. Velcro "flaps" and polycarbonate backing plates, removal and installation is easy.

Bring on the Sun!

OK, update from St. Lucia.

We left Martinique in less than ideal conditions as we needed to meet our cargo in St. Lucia, we have a shipment arriving from Florida via Tropical Shipping. Took us 4 months to get here from Florida by sea, Tropical, 5 days.

Called Tropical this am, yes your cargo is here but......"the container port is full, we cannot offload the ship. Please call back Friday".

OK, what can you do, stuck in port at Rodney Bay Marina, with friends and meeting new ones!

Cheers all, K&S

A few days in Anse a L'Anne

Love to be at anchor, this spot is one of our favs here in Martinique. Take the ferry to FDF or take the tender to Anse Mitan.

TOP SECRET!

Spotted in Martinique. Is this the Kadey Krogen Mega Expedition yacht? Kadey Krogen Expedition 286?

Windwards?

Are they called the Windward's because it always seems to blow? It sure seems that way, an excerpt from Chris Parker's morning weather briefing:

Brisk ENE-E trades with little day to day change will continue indefinitely due to repetitious RIDGES moving E thru the CAtlantic from the E Coast. Only deviation may be today with some E-ESE winds possible.

and then the forecast winds..........

StLucia-Guadeloupe: 080-100@17-23g30/6-8' thru overnight; 090>070-060 @17-23 g30/6-8' Friday 23-Mon 26


they then go on to state that this trend may continue well into January. What to do, what to do? We need to travel to Rodney Bay to change out batteries, looks like we may be forced to suck it up and deal with a rough crossing.