Dolphins!!

Dolphins in Great Harbour, JVD, doing tricks just for us!  

Yeah, I did that

So, this post is a blast from the past that I just found on a camera from our storage unit. Last season, there was a request for full coverage shade on the bow. There was also mention that orange was a favortie color. Orange 4-way stretch spandex is not in great demand so I was able to buy a bolt for a pretty low price... and this is what I did.

I bought a sewing maching for Diadem because I was also making pillows and curtains for the interor, but the largest project by far was this bow shade. I'm a little curious how the material has held up to UV degradation. It was beautiful when it was completed! No flapping in the breeze, it looked like it was breathing as gusts of wind passed from bow to stern because the material would silently expand and contract. Sasha and I really enjoyed lying under there in the late afternoon.

I've had requests from other crew to make these for their boats, but having no idea how long the material will last I'm hesitant.

Happy New Year 2011!!

New Year's Brunch is accompanied by fresh fruit, mimosas, and a bloody mary bar.

Our Lil Crush

The Christmas winds have offically arrived! We've had about 22kts for the past few days and the seas to match. We are seeing the effects of the same snow storms that buried our family and friends during the holidays. We spent the night in Leverick Bay and as Sasha was preparing to get our guests ashore, he spotted this little guy swimming in circles alongside our boat. With our handy dandy fishing net we scooped him out of the water and he seemed very glad for a rest.

After contacting several people who work in various hatcheries, conservation departments, and fisheries, we were told that he was a hawksbill hatchling that was a little lost. The only advice we recieved was to get him out of the marina and into a current that would take him out to sea. It's amazing that something so small can survive in the ocean!

A Lull between the Fronts

Literally NO wind the other day. We had maybe 2 knots for a few days straight. It was such nice ski water :)

Soggy Dollar

Check out Soterion on the Soggy Dollar webcam right now!

Sunset in Christmas Cove

Happy Holidays from Christmas Cove.

Prep Work

It is often said that when a crew is on charter the days are much more stressful for the girls and off charter the days are much more stressful for the guys. This is true. So I've decided to keep myself busy while off charter by prepping, cooking, and freezing!

Roasting red bell peppers on the stove.

I bought a pork belly to try out in the Sous Vide. Only problem was that I had to buy the whole 5# belly and I want to serve little starter portions. I had to borrow Sasha's hack saw (yes I cleaned it really well before I cut the belly). I cut it and vacuum sealed it into enough portions to last me 3 charters.

One Charter Down

Our first charter went without a hitch!! We had 8 guests for a quick 5 day cruise. Being their first time to the islands I was hard to hit all the good spots, but we did our best. The above pic was taken at White Bay on Jost. Sasha is giving the lay of the land before everyone headed for the beach.

This was one sandy charter! Sasha was cleaning filters almost constantly.

Making the galley work!! I was excited to really see what this galley set-up was capable of. It really worked well. It looks like Sasha took this pic while I was plating up during Fish Taco night. I was really nested in there among the plates, bowls, pots, and pan!!

Thought this shot was really neat. I am plating the calamari and seaweed salad.

Sous Vide Carrots