Tomas

The storm passed us, Tomas is now on its way to the islands NW of us, gaining force.

'NADA' was well secured, strapped to the ground, all halyards tightened. We stayed on board, listening to the wind hauling, and watching the downpours, that seamed like waterfalls at times.

We were fortunate not to be in the eye of the storm, Rodney Bay being on the N end of St. Lucia.

There was not much damage on the boat yard, canvas cavers were blown away from the boats, whose owners were not there to take them off, when the storm was approaching, and some sails, not secured enough, were ripped.

In the marina, some small service boats sunk, hardly a loss in the eye of the visitor, big for the owners.

New sailing season 2010-11

Here we are on St. Lucia again, adjusting to the Caribbean heat. 'NADA' is ready for the turquoise water, instead, she will have a big splash on a boat yard. We are preparing to "welcome" a hurricane Tomas. St. Lucians are calm about it, they always take whatever nature brings them with a certain resignation. Anyway, there isn't much they can do about it, is there? The Gros Islet villagers use sturdy built church for the shelter. Modest shacks would not sustain strong hurricane winds.