Hot, hot, hot these past few days. Not much breeze to cool us off and the calm waters are so inviting.
Silly Season they call it! Everyone in years past used to leave the island during this time and there wasn’t much going on or much to do. So things and people ( those of us left here) got a bit “silly” and that’s how the name came about.
Marta
Panoramic view from Jim Hill overlooking the villas at Harbour Club and Cooper Jack Bight
A long day of preparation as we made sure everything is secure at Harbour Club villas for Hurricane Earl and Fiona coming right up behind. We spent several hours running extra lines on the boats in our marina. It’s now 11 pm and strangely quiet with little wind. Earlier and for much of the day , we had a brisk wind and white caps on both Flamingo Lake and the ocean. I’m sure the wind and rain will come but we are hopeful Earl will pass by relatively quietly with not too much of a fuss.
Marta
Every child planted a mangrove sapling along Flamingo Lake by Harbour Club Villas
A few weeks ago, I ran down to the road and there was a group of children from Holy Family Academy Catholic School busy planting Mangrove saplings. Officers of the DECR were there to show them how as they worked their way along Flamingo Lake and the road by our villas at Harbour Club.
Students and teacher plant a mangrove beside the lake waters
Eric from the DECR is about to show this young student how to plant her seedling.
Time out for a real squishy mud dance !
I can’t say how great it is to see new mangrove saplings along this stretch of the lake. The kids and everyone worked so hard…………..WELL DONE and a big thankyou to all.
The beautiful Bay Bean grows and flowers along the shoreline
A big THANKYOU to my wonderfully caring family and friends that have supported me these past few months.
I love you all !!!
My experience these last few months with breast cancer has really thrown me for a loop and been a true wake up call. It showed me the strength in having a loving family and just how lucky I am. All those tough days back and forth from Provo to Miami……tests and more tests and my breasts feeling like pin cushions. Barry was unable to come with me but kept a great sense of humour by reminding me that I was getting a two for one deal. He coped so brilliantly here at Harbour Club although it was really rough going and very busy with guests. My sister Eve and our three kids Tina, Mike and Ania rallied around and took turns staying with me in the hotel so I wouldn’t have to face things alone. They sat in on every appointment, asked questions and absorbed all the information so that they could explain things to me as well as to Barry and they waited patiently while I went through all the tests, surgery and radiation. My sister Anna (a breast cancer survivor) sent me encouraging emails every day and suffered along with me having been through it all herself.
It is soooooooo good to be back home and everyone now realizes that we all need to make the most of every day…..enjoy life to the fullest and worry less.
SO, TO ALL THE LADIES OUT THERE ……… PLEASE GO AND HAVE THAT MAMMOGRAM DONE TODAY.
Marta
Barry in better days on the ramparts of the Citadel just outside Cap Haitien in Feb 2003
A sad and tragic few days……..Here we are on Provo surrounded by a large population of Haitiens….. they are our friends, aquaintances and employees and everyone here knows of someone who has lost a son, a daughter, a father, a mother, uncles and aunts, cousins basically everyone in their families. A horrific tragedy of massive proportions that effects every single one of us.
A colourful street in Cap Hatien 7 years ago when we visited this island.
The chaos and devastation in Haiti is being brought into our livingrooms via TV every day and our hearts go out to everyone with family and relatives missing. The anguish and turmoil in Haiti is being felt all over the world. Here on Provo, we have a team of Fire Service Volunteers that are making ready to leave and assist. The Salvation Army is working closely with them and a Community Communications Centre has been set up so that our local Haitiens can access the internet to try and communicate with the devasted area of Port au Prince. Barry and I fondly remember the great time we had years ago on our visit to Cap Hatien on the North coast.
We hope everyone can find a way to help the people of Haiti. Look to your local Red Cross, the Salvation Army and donate what you can. Our prayers are with you all.
Marta
Here we are............my FIRST magazine cover!
I’m so thrilled with achieving one of my goals………..to get a cover photo on the Times of the Island magazine. I had to send this photo to Kathy (the editor) as I thought it was pretty good especially with the stunning reflections on the waters of Flamingo Lake right beside our villas. Kathy phoned me to say that they wanted to use my photo in the Winter 2009-2010 edition of the magazine. So pick up your copy of The Times of the Island while you are here on Provo. The articles are always interesting and I’m sure you will enjoy reading them along with some great photography.
Marta
Happy New Year everyone.....best wishes for 2010!
Happy New Year
Barry and Marta
Merry Christmas everyone and A Happy New Year
Wishing you all the very best at this special time of year.
Marta and Barry
Benjamin the lobster fisherman, his faithful potcake Lucky meet an old woman (Josie Smith) who lures him into searching for a ring under the sea.
A simply stellar performance………I’m stunned at the depth of talent on display this evening at the first night performance of The Little Caribbean Mermaid and the Enchanted Ring. I’m not sure what I expected exactly but it was the most entertaining, fun filled evening full of laughter, comedy, to the point “in-jokes” about PPC, Lime and even JoJo the dolphin was part of the act.
Widow Bling (Asa from Caicos Adventures fame) was hilarious decked out in all "her" finery
Benjamin (Michael Burchill) and Lucky (Ian Arthur)explore under the sea searching for the ring and meet the beautiful Isabella (Alison Capron) and her best friend Queen Lareefah (Cora Malcolm) the Queen Angelfish.
Mermaid Isabella captivated not only the audience but Benjamin too
Spectacular underwater sets, superb costumes and all the characters in the production kept the audience enthralled as they were drawn into participating in the performance. Shouts of laughter as the audience screamed “Behind you, Behind you” as the infamous Lionfish (Mervin Forbes) put in an appearance.
The Lionfish carries off with SALT and PEPPA (wannabe SPICE types!)
Salt (Matthew Williams) and Peppa (Bernard Rodriguens) the two bumbling secret agents made the audience laugh at their antics as the story unfolded.
Queen Lareefah with fishy friends
Handsome King Neptune (Addison Stoddard) with his gold trident
Unforgettable dance numbers and singing had the crowd clapping in time to the up tempo music
JoJo the dolphin put in a surprise appearance
This little boy (Cole Nickson, the pufferfish) was in a fantastic costume.
The spotted drum fish (Aphrah Groves) had a swimmingly good time as she drummed her way through the show
Dave Volkert as Benjamin's father had the crowd in stitches
No comment!!
King Neptune (Addison) and his queen (Josie) at the finale
This little one upstaged Isabella, the mermaid (sorry Alison!) as she danced up a storm in front of us.
CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!!!! What a resounding success…….we had such a good laugh and it was a great way to start off the Christmas season.
Jayne the writer and Mickey the "go to boy" in their usual every day attire....well it's the only photo of them that I have!!
I musn’t forget to mention that Jayne from Flamingo Divers wrote the script and Meryl Cooper was the director. Performances are at Brayton Hall on Dec 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 at 7 pm nightly with a matinee at 2 pm on Saturdays. Tickets are available at Unicorn Books, IGA Graceway, Saltmills Diner and IGA Gourmet.
For a great evening of laughter and entertainment take in the show on one of the above days or go again as it’s worth seeing over and over again!!
Break a leg!!
Marta
A beautiful double rainbow appears over Flamingo Lake and the roofs of Harbour Club Villas.
Enjoy the photo.
Marta