- Updates from the Islands -

- - Antigua - -

- - - 2002 Hurricane Season - - -

- ANNA WHO?

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 19:14:25 -0400

gone flat calm.sea still coooool.whales heading north.mahi mahi and white marlin all over the place.

antigua sailing week about to start.

who is anna?

need rain badly.

- NEW BABY LOVE BIRDS

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 16:26:32 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

wow... TWO MESSAGES IN SAME DAY! (SEE EARLIER MSG BELOW!)

SINCE SOME OF YOU REGULARLY ASK ABOUT MY BIRDS WANTED TO SHOW THE NEWEST TWO BEAUTIES STILL IN THE NEST BOX...SHOULD BE PEEPING OUT IN A WEEK OR SO!

NEW BABY LOVE BIRDS.jpg

- BEAUTIFIYING ANTIGUA

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 14:55:05 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Goodness... seems we are all asleep down here as no one has surfaced on the reporting page for months! That means we are having beautiful Caribbean weather ... and sadly... a SERIOUS DROUGHT here on Antigua. Desperately need rain...and lots of it! Hope we don't have to hang on until hurricane season to get it.

Just to keep you up on some local events... I've told you in that past about the NATIONAL CLEANUP efforts on the island and the beautification efforts by the FREETOWN 4 H club...and they continue to do their part to make Antigua "shine" as they say!! Pictured is this past weekend project --

done just past the Village of ST PHILIP where an overlook which looks out on the beautiful bay of WIllioughby Bay and to the Atlantic ocean was cleaned up and Orlando flowers have been planted to enhance the site. The site has been dubbed ORLEANDER OVERLOOK and a sign will be put up to designate it. SO for those of you who may visit our fair island, as you drive down to HALF MOON BAY BEACH...our most beautiful beach... enjoy the new ORLEANDER OVERLOOK! The group also did a beautification spot at the NEWFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL JUST BEFORE THE SITE, bringing out the school children to involve them! Amazing what a few can do! till next time!!

Orleander overlook planting.jpg

- HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO you all who care about us "islanders" xxxxxxxx

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 09:06:20 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

HOPE YOU GET THE MESSAGE OF LOTS OF LOVE AND GOOD THINGS IN YOUR LIFE

- BACK IN TOUCH

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 06:34:33 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

Sorry everyone has ignored those interested in "island life"...have even had a few emails to ask if i was still alive (and one asked it the back room boys were still with us... !!! Have been very busy with a major celebration...the 29th anniversary of my 21st birthday which brought about 40 overseas guests to antigua, who, along with 60 Antiguan guests celebrated in grand style last sat. night...so have been busy with these plans and activities... Glad to say the weather was a dream walking and a perfect starry starry dream night...see attached with dancing under the stars and even a bubble machine!! Also did slide show of a walk down memory lane...which was projected on the stonewall of an old sugar mill!! Setting was our dream HARMONY HALL (see my earlier report made in november on the official re opening of the restaurant which closes in the summer months. It was a dream birthday and i dont need any more for a while!!

WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE SHOW.jpg
BUBBLE MAGIC UNDER THE STARS.jpg

- BEAUTIFICATION OF ANTIGUA AND COMMUNITY PRIDE

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2003 04:00:14 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

ON DECEMBER 21ST I TOLD YOU ABOUT A SPECIAL DEDICATION FOR A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATON PROJECT IN THE LOVELY VILLAGE OF ST PHILIPS NEXT TO ONE OF OUR HISTORIC CHRUCHES!!! THAT DAY THE HEAVENS OPENED UP AND THE DEDICATION WAS DELAYED...

we HELD IT TODAY... SEE ATTACHED...LOVELY LITTLE POND CREATED FROM DONKEY WATERING HOLE..... AND OUR LOCAL BIG TIME GUY...JAZZIE BEE OF SOUL TO SOUL IN LONDON (ORGINALLY FROM FREETOWN VILLAGE...THE VILLAGE WHO DID THE CLEAN UP... GAVE A PEP TALK .. BIG TIME FOR FREETOWN CHILDREN! PARK IS NAMED AFTER OLDEST LADY IN THE VILLAGE (ATTACHED...

SO IF YOU VISIT OUR PARADISE AND DRIVE THRU ST PHILIPS VILLAGE PLEASE ADMIRE THE MAUDE POND PARK!!

miss maude of maude pond park.jpg
jazzie bee clean up effort.jpg
Blessing Maude Pond (2).jpg

- MONTSERRAT FOLLOW UP

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 03:05:26 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

An early good morning.......

Just to let you know we did not get any significant ash fall from the Montserrat ash blow... It was very hazy for a day or so but has cleared now and life is back to "living in paradise"... had an e-mail from Canadian friend saying it is MINUS 20 degrees!!! so sorry for you... but he is coming to Antigua soon.. so he has a treat to look forward to with our nice sunshine!

- MONTSERRAT VOLCANO ASH ERUPTION

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 06:22:46 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

VOLCANOS!!! FOR MOST OF YOU IN THE BIG CITIES THIS MUST SEEM AN ODD SUBJECT!!!

ON SEPTEMBER 30TH AND ON OCTOBER 8TH I REPORTED ON THIS (SEE PREVIOUS REPORTS on this site ) AND POSTED THIS SAME AMAZING PHOTO (ATTACHED) OF THE VOLCANO ON THE SEP. 30TH REPORT....
Image ATTACHED Copyright © STEVE & DONNA O'MEARA--SOMEARA AT INTERPAC.NET and kind permission was given to me by Steve to post this for the purpose of this report....

OUR RADIO STATION HAS JUST REPORTED AN ASH ERUPTION ON MONTSERRAT WHICH THEY SAY WILL AFFECT ANTIGUA ALSO.... THEY ARE WARNING OF DECREASED VISABILITY AND THE POSSIBLE HAZZARD TO MOTORISTS...AND ALSO FOR THE AVIATION INTERESTS... They are also alerting people with breathing conditions to be alert ....NO DETAILED INFO ON THIS YET BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE SERIOUSLY INTERESTED CK OUT www.mvo.ms

for the on site details and some amazing photos. The haze and ash cloud in the air is more visible from the southern end of Antigua where I am located... In the early days of the eruptions we occasionally had to wear filter masks to avoid Breathing THE ASH (not cool for your lungs!) BUT HOPEFULY THIS WILL NOT BE ANYTHING THAT DRASTIC! I think more of those poor people on Montserrat living among this.

For those visiting our fair island.... one can charter a helicopter to view the volcano (probably not at this time due to the ash eruption... but on a normal day! check out www.caribbeanhelicopters.net

It is also an amazing island tour to view Antigua.

Will keep you posted of any other reports....

MONTSERRAT VOLCANO.jpg

- HAPPY NEW YEARS TOASTS....

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 21:02:28 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

HAPPY NEAR AGAIN NOW THAT WE ARE TRUELY IN 2003.... WITH MEMORIES OF DAYS GONE BY (SORRY SOME OF THE SCANS ARE OF OLD PHOTOS AND LONG AGO DAYS GONE BY...BUT WE DO KNOW HOW TO CELEBRATE IN THE ISLANDS!!!!!.) AND TOASTING THE NEW YEAR IN THE CARIBBEAN WAY.... HOPE YOU HAD SOMEWHAT DECENT WEATHER FOR BRINGING IT IN.. TO A GOOD YEAR FOR ALL.....

LEO AND BARB NEW YRS.jpg
birthday pics 048.jpg

- HAPPY NEW YEAR

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 31 Dec 2002 08:15:51 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

TO EACH OF YOU ...MAY YOU HAVE A HAPPY HEALTHY 2003.....AND MAY WE IN THE ISLANDS HAVE NO ILL WINDS TO BAT US AROUND! CHEERS TO YOU FOR A HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE

2001 www.hushport.net

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 25 Dec 2002 13:57:36 -0500

the boys in the backroom send their best wishes to all-especially those who contributed to the purchase of the case of IBIS brandy ($3.00/bottle) they are now finishing-soon to dream of merrymaids.

- MERRY CHRISTMAS

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2002 16:49:19 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

ANOTHER try at CHRISTMAS WISHES...

Last email writing did not come thur~?????? so..CHAMPAGNE WISHES to each of

you from the girls enjoying a warm Caribbean "sea bath" in my secret room on an off shore island....

and.... Merry Christmas from the wonderful Marine world and my friends

FLIPPERS.... hopefully the back room boys and I will help KEEP THEM FREE in 2003...........

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EACH OF YOU!

pxmasdolfs.jpg

- MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE SUNNY CARIBBEAN

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2002 16:40:09 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

CHRISTMAS WISHES TO EACH OF YOU FROM THE SUNNY

CARIBBEAN....

A CHAMPAGNE TOAST FROM THE GIRLS ENJOYING

A TROPICAL DIP IN OUR WARM CARIBBEAN SEA.. (MY

SECRET SEA ROOM on an off shore island....

38068513303_0_ALB.jpg

- POURING CHRISTMAS RAIN

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 21 Dec 2002 07:27:43 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

SEASONS GREETING AGAIN AS WE GET closer TO SANTA COMING! ONLY 3 MORE DAYS!

Hope i have been a "good enough" girl this year as i dont see any pressies under the tree yet!!!!

ANTIGUA IS AWASH WITH HEAVY RAIN TODAY, SATURDAY....AND WAS VERY WET YESTERDAY AS WE HAD A SYSTEM PASS OVER US! WE are NEVER ARE SORRY FOR

THE RAIN BUT TODAY, SATURDAY DEC. 21ST , it washed out a big event... IT WAS TO

BE AN OFFICIAL DEDICATION AT MAUDE POND PARK..... see attached photo of a charming little community project done with the villagers of FREETOWN VIllage and St Philips Village...

the development of what was (and still is -- note the resident donkies!! ) an animal watering hole .

The area was cleaned up, landscaped with local bush and trees which are GOAT proof... (AS

THERE ARE ALWAYS HERDS OF GOATS...SOMETIMES COWS AND HORSES AT THE

POND!! Miss Maude is the oldest person in the village and her grandson helped do much of the

volunteer work with his

backhoe. This is joint community work at its best. Any tourist passing through St Philip Village

(which leads to our beautiful HALF MOON BAY BEACH...rated by US TRAVEL CHANNEL in

top 10 beaches in the work so most tourists visit this beach.... ) will drive right past MAUDE POND PARK so stop and smell the roses and admire this community effort!!

Anyway the heavy rains washed out the dedication.... so...next year!!!

59902361703_0_ALB.jpg

- CHRISTMAS IN THE CARIBBEAN

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 16:07:35 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL WITH IT SUDDENDLY BEING MID DECEMBER . SEEMS YOUR HURRICANE REPORTIING PALS HAVE ALL BEEN ABSORBED IN OTHER THINGS...NOT EVEN THE BACK ROOM BOYS HAVE SURFACED!

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DECEMBER HERE IN THE ISLANDS.... WE HAVE HAD SOME GUSTY/WINDY WEATHER LAST FEW DAYS AND THE SEA IS RATHER CHOPPY BUT HEARIING ABOUT THE WINTER STORMS ON THE EAST COASTS MAKES ME APPRECIATE OUR PARADISE!

THE ISLANDS ARE FULL OF FESTIVITY THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH CHRISTMAS PARTIES STARTING IN FULL GEAR (HAVE THREE TONIGHT!!! NOT SURE I WILL MAKE THEM ALL!

OUR ONLY WHITE CHRISTMAS IS ON THE BEACH HOWEVER! HOPE SOME OF YOU ARE COMING TO ENJOY A TROPICAL CHRISTMAS.

- WE ARE STILL HERE...weather and birds!!!

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2002 18:38:52 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

HI GUYS AND GALS... have not forgotten those of you who follow our paradise weather!!! but have been off island for some time and guess back room boys occupied chasing mermaids, drinking rum or some such.... and too busy to tell you IT IS BEAUTIFUL HERE IN ANTIGUA just now... weather getting a bit cooler as we are ALMOST INTO DECEMBER.. While i was away i acquired 9 new LOVE BIRDS.. like the little ones below... so will have some FRESH BLOOD to add to my wild flock... will post a photo in a few days for those of you who are "birdy"....They are still caged getting used to the territory and my wild flock who flew in at first light to ck out the new guys!!

Meanwhile hope some of you are coming our way to enjoy Christmas in paradise!! later....

- DOLPHINS AND MERRYMAIDS

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 07:46:58 -0500

BALMY,BEAUTIFUL AND BREATHTAKING WEATHER.

FREE ALL CAPTIVE DOLPHINS AND MERMAIDS!

- cute babies....

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2002 13:12:01 -0600 (Central Standard Time)

BABY LOVE BIRDS!

Since there is not much weather wise to tell you about (well...few rain showers as we have a cloud mass over the Leewards... and actually west side of the island got LOTS...not us on the atlantic however....

so will amuse you with Peachy's BABIES...newly hatched!! they will be free flying around our paradise soon!!

stop booing back room boys.... know u would would rather see bare mermaids instead of bare baby birds..... this gets u in much less trouble...

7848145703_0_ALB.jpg

- HOT SPOT ON ANTIGUA TODAY

From: "Martha Watkins-Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 08:26:28 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Only beautiful sunny weather to report on! (sorry u guys and gals in cold climates!)

HOT SPOT today on Antigua is HARMONY HALL.. reopening of our best restaurant on the island after being closed since last MAY... we locals anxiously await this day at the end of each summer.... You dine at the footstep of an old sugar mill (*pictured..and if you want exclusive private dining you can book the top of the sugar mill...with a magnificent view overlooking one our beautiful bays... (NO THEY ARE NOT PAYING ME TO SAY THIS...I JUST LOVE THE PLACE!!! You must dine here if u visit ANTIGUA!!!

It is also an art gallery and there will be an art show by our Antigua artists... cant even book for lunch as a couple of days ago... glad I booked early, although i prefer it AFTER opening day when you go there and spend about 3 hours over a leisurely Italian lunch with the best dining you can imagine.. the islands are not usually know for fine dining...but here we enjoy feeling like we are in a little Italian bistro!

From their web site: (and pictures below

My favorite restaurant in the Caribbean is in Antigua - also my favorite Caribbean destination - at Harmony Hall" Robin Leach, celebrated bon viveur, author and presenter of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous".

____________________________________________________

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- OF MERMAIDS AND FISH.

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 07:53:55 -0500

the boys in the backroom were reading an old newspaper (part of their bed linen) and saw that someone escaped being convicted in court using provocation as his defence.miss mermaid in tortola is gravely provoking the boys and the boys have asked me to look up to see if provocation is a defence to a charge of kidnapping a mermaid.as a result we have increased the security outside their shed.

beautiful weather.fish biting like crazy.

- wonderful rain

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 23:00:54 -0500

today:

flat calm gorgeous,then

convection clouds build to large loud thunderheads,then

torrential rain,2-3 inches,then

beautiful afternoon and sunset

lovely day and

warm moonlit evening.

the boys in the backroom went out and had their autumn bath in the rain.

boring hurricane season

- EARLY MORNING FEED!

From: "Martha Watkins-Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 04:24:03 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

NO Storms thank goodness... and my free flying love birds (since several of you have emailed asking for BIRD PHOTOS!! ) are loving this calm beautiful weather!! Early morning breakfast!!!

Our weather is so beautiful just now!

____________________________________________________

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Picture 003.jpg

- Beautiful day !!!

From: <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 08:11:19 -0400


Today is shaping up to be a great day for the beach and other outdoor activity. 
The sky although a bit hazy is brilliant blue with pacthes of clouds hanging 
around. Lucky are the ones who don't have to be in an office today :-) I would 
rather be sailing or lying on a beach somewhere :-)

On a sadder note, Antigua lost one its greats today. Leonard "Tim" Hector died 
this morning. Condolences to all his family and friends, may his soul rest in 
peace.

Alan B. Scholl B.Sc.
scholla AT candw.ag  schollab AT hotmail.com  
http://www.digitalphoto.ag

- IN MEMORY..one of the LEEWARD ISLANDS greatest Aviation Heros

From: "Martha Watkins-Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 22:12:33 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Yesterday afternoon SIR FRANK S. DELISLE, one of the greatest pioneers in aviation history in the Leeward Islands, was laid to rest here in Antigua in a moving church service. The service of Thanksgiving for his life was attended by a wide range of the Antiguan society from The Prime Minister, Honorable Lester B. Bird, to most of the staff of LIAT, the regional airline of the Caribbean which was founded by Mr. Delisle in 1956. He also founded Carib Aviation ....and opened up the islands of Montserrat and Barbuda to the skies by establishing runways on these islands, previously only accessed by boat. An official FLY BY was done to his memory and a tribute made for the many contributions he made to the Leeward Islands during his 84 years, having been born in St.Kitts, lived in Anguilla, Montserrat and Antigua. His family carries on his legacy with his granddaughter serving as the CEO of Carib Aviation and his niece being a Captain on the Dash 8 Fleet of LIAT. IN MEMORY TO A GREAT CARIBBEAN MAN.........

____________________________________________________

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- BEAUTIFUL EARLY MORNING

From: "Martha Watkins-Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 18:36:34 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Today is a beautiful Tuesday... gently sea breeze blowing on the Atlantic side ....should get up to about 88 degrees today so will be a bit warm later in the day... but looks like it will be a nice one

____________________________________________________

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- Nice day...

From: "Alan B. Scholl" <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 08:17:03 -0400


Although a bit hazy, we have clear skies and very little cloud cover. It is
going to be a beautiful beach day. Of course, this always happens while we
are at work. For those on vacation, make the best of it...

=======================================================
Alan B. Scholl
Email: schollab AT hotmail.com   scholla AT candw.ag
Home:  http://www.digitalphoto.ag/scholla
Ham:   V21BF
Antigua, West Indies - "Where Land & Sea Make Beauty..."

- ANTIGUA TODAY!

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 3 Nov 2002 06:22:37 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

A BEAUTIFUL MORNING ON THIS SUNDAY ... WAS OUT IN MY BOAT UNTIL 9 P.M. LAST NIGHT AS BOATERS ARE OUT FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND ON THE OFF SHORE ISLANDS AND THERE WAS A SUPER BEACH BBQUE GOING ON AT GREEN ISLAND.... WAS LIKE MAGIC RETURNING HOME COMING ACROSS THE FLAT CALM SEA WITH THE MOON LITE REFLECTING..

TALK ABOUT A DREAM WORLD!!!

ON THIS EARLY SUNDAY MORNING FEW SHOWERS DUE TO WEAK TROPICAL WAVE BUT SUN IS SHINING IN BETWEEN..

GENTLE SEA BREEZE OF ONLY 10 KNOTS BLOWING ON ATLANTIC SIDE OF ISLAND...

LAST NIGHT WAS 75 DEGREES; HIGH TODAY WILL BE 88 DEGREES SO IT WILL WARM UP AS THE DAY GOES ON! BACK TO SEA SO WILL TRY TO FIND SOMETHING EXCITING TO PHOTOGRAPH TO SEND YOU LATER!

____________________________________________________

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- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 07:53:36 -0500

COULD NOT BE MORE BEAUTIFUL.

- ANTIGUA IS 21 YRS OLD!!

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 09:31:57 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

WELL.. not literally... the island is much older!! BUT TOMORROW NOVEMBER 1st is INDEPENDANCE DAY for Antigua; it will be 21 yrs ago that status as an Independent Nation was achieved! Lots of official things going on as the island" comes of age"! And today is a beautiful day .... sunny and calm seas... and no storms on the horizon!

____________________________________________________

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- NO STORMS BUT ONE BIG SHARK

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 08:33:22 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

BACK TO ANTIGUA.... BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE...

AND SINCE THERE IS NO WEATHER NEWS WITH ONLY GOOD THINGS GOING ON...THANK GOODNESS... HOW ABOUT THIS ONE BIG SHARK PHOTO!!!

(NOT FROM ANTIGUA WATERS... IT WAS ON DISPLAY AT THE BIG DIVING CONVENTION I JUST RETURNED FROM... AND WAS ACTUALLY IN A BOOTH PRESENTING INFORMATION ABOUT PROTECTING SHARKS AS SOME SPECIES ARE NOW ENDANGERED AND SHOULD BE PROTECTED! TWO HEADS COULD HAVE FIT INSIDE THIS MOUTH!

____________________________________________________

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DEMA 2002 095.jpg

- cosy night

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2002 22:10:16 -0400

stormy,squally.blustering and wet,yet most is passing south.

not fun weather for merrymaids.

- The cutting edge of diving knowledge

From: MWGILKES AT aol.com
Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 11:55:43 EDT

No HURRICANE EXCITEMENT TO REPORT...thank goodness...meanwhile am still off isalnd and enjoying the excitment of a big conferance on the newest latest greatest in the world of marine exploration....

- RAIN and Overcast!

From: "Alan B. Scholl" <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 10:23:21 -0400


A large cloud mass has just moved in 10:10AM 22-oct-2002 and heavy rainfall
has started in the central cooridor and south. At the moment the sky is
completely overcast and there is a light breeze along with the rain.

Alan B. Scholl
Home:  http://www.digitalphoto.ag/scholla
Antigua, West Indies - "Where Land & Sea Make Beauty..."

- gray day

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 15:39:43 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

WELL TODAY HAS BEEN OVERCAST WITH OFF AND ON RAIN SHOWERS. Thank goodness this was not on cleanup day yesterday ... Antiguans do not come out in the rain! We have some clouds hanging over us thus the rain and overcast... can't be our beautiful sunshine ev. day! Going "walk about" / off island tomorrow for about 10 days...

so will leave you to the back room boys if they are sober! NO HURRICANES allowed during my absence! later guys and gals...

- ANTIGUAS NATIONAL CLEAN UP DAY

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2002 16:39:59 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

ALL REPORTS ARE NOT IN BUT BOY OH BOY was garbage collected! MASTER MAP ATTACHED showing lay out of community groups assigned to clean all major roads of the islands. THIS WAS AN ATTACK ON THE GARBAGE.... Also Attached photo of BIG PILE garbage AIRLIFTED by helicopter off Guiana Island, an unhabitied off shore islands (over 100 bags and sheets of tin, a bed, etc)

So for those of you who will come to visit... you will see a much pretty envrionment!

ABITPC 054.jpg

- THIS IS THE PLAN CLEAN UP THE LAND

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 20:18:24 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

FOR TOMORROW WE HOPE FOR ALL SUNSHINE!!

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA NATIONAL CLEAN UP EFFORTS .. EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING ON THE ROCK

TOMORROW....... SATURDAY IS THE BIG DAY STARTING AT 6 A.M. ANTIGUA will wake up early and some 11,000 plus will come out to CLEAN UP OUR ISLAND!

JULY 2001 WAS THE FIRST NATIONAL CLEAN UP DAY ON THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA ORGANIZED BY VOLUNTEERS. SOME 11,000 PEOPLE CAME OUT TO COLLECT LITTER AND A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL DUMP SITES WERE ALSO CLEANED UP. That was 82 groups....tomorrow we have 130 registered groups!!

THE SECOND NATIONAL CLEAN UP DAY IS TOMORROW... SATURDAY OCTOBER 19TH 2002 AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT EVEN MORE VOLUNTEERS WILL COME OUT TO CLEAN UP THE ISLAND. A wide arry of citizens are coming out from 10 Beauty Contestants competing for the MISS UNIVERSE AND MISS WORLD to many other civic minded groups. Litter picking of small trash will be removed and some illegal dump sites will be removed with heavy equipment. A helicopter will be used to airlift garbage off the small uninhabited off shore islands of ANtigua. Beaches will be cleaned as well as all of the major highways.

PICTURED (on attached photo... in FRONT OF BACKHOE lifting derrilick car into truck....

PHOTO FROM THE FRIST NATIONAL CLEAN UP DAY...

ROBIN LEACH, OF LIFESTYLES OF RICH AND FAMOUS (WHO OWNED A HOUSE ON ANTIGUA...AND who inspired NATIONAL CLEAN UP DAY , Martha Watkins Gilkes Coordinator for ABITPC for CLEAN UP DAY, ALTON FORD, DIRECTOR of NATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND 2 CLEAN UP VOLUNTEERS

MVC-135F.JPG

- WADADLI Antigua's own rescued hooded seal

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 06:39:24 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

TRYING AGAIN TO ADD THESE 2 links about WADADLI...as they dont seem to work on last nights email...

so lets see....Attached is the story and
also check out http://rcv.caribe.net/english/rehab/wadadli.htm
Maybe Gert can work some of his computer magic if they dont work now...

wadadli.pdf

- WADADLI Antigua's own rescued hooded seal GOES FREE TOMORROW

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 19:54:03 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

THURSDAY MORNING OCTOBER 17th WADADLI , a rescued hooded seal found in our Antigua waters thousands of miles from his home in the ARTIC is being set free after a long rehab period. See below for the whole amazing story of this little seal who touched many lives along the way!

He will have a satellite chip on him and we can watch his progress from the web site. Let's hope he survives and avoids any ill fate.... he came us after being attacked by a shark so we hope he is now "shark smart".. GOD SPEED WADADLI!!

Last AUGUST Antigua had a unique happening take place. An ARTIC SEAL came ashore on one of our beaches. The attached story recently published in THE LIAT ISLANDER IN FLIGHT MAGAZINE tells the background. The web site below tells the story after the rescue and also there is information below on what is presently happening with Wadadli.

Also attached is the BBC story of CLEO, supplied to me by John Fuller (those back room boys get roused from time to time).... another baby seal who went the OTHER way and was rescued.

This was an amazing story for Antigua for as one of the rescuers, Roddy Grame Grimes said, "it was the story of the TRUE HUMAN SPIRIT. There were many volunteers who stayed and protected Wadadli the night he was found on the beach". Those who took part are too numerous to name but it certainly showed the out pouring of human kindness on a helpless stranded marine mammal.

SEE BELOW and also check out http://rcv.caribe.net/english/rehab/wadadli.htm

Young, Hooded Seal Recuperates from Caribbean Shark Wounds at Marine Science Center
Wadadli at the time of his rescue in Antique.

Wadadli, a young, male, hooded seal that swam from its home in the North Atlantic to the Caribbean where it was rescued by the Coast Guard of Antigua, is spending 30 days recuperating at the University of New England Marine Science Education and Research Center.

Wadadli, when he was rescued, was suffering from several shark wounds and sand in his digestive system.

Named by his Caribbean hosts in the island's native language, Wadadli means "island of lots of oil" and is the original name of Antigua, a British Island in the West Indies. Weighing only 56 pounds when rescued on August 13, 2001, he now weighs 180 pounds (fully grown he will weigh 600-800 pounds) and eats 12 pounds of fish a day.

Wadadli was originally under the care of the Caribbean Stranding Network and Caribbean Marine Mammal Laboratory, Universidad Metropolitan.

Rehabilitation Plan
Wadadli arrived at Logan International Airport late Friday, March 29, 2002 and then was transported by van to UNE's Marine Science Education and Research Center on the
Wadadli before making the trip back north via airplane.
Biddeford Campus. The first night he was kept in the Dry Isolation Room, off-limits to visitors, but on Saturday morning he was moved to the Communal Rehabilitation Room.

Wadadli will spend 30 days at UNE for acclimation, pre-release conditioning and medical assessment prior to release. After 30 days, given the "green light," the seal will be tagged, fitted with a satellite radio-transmitter and released at Granite Cove.

UNE's Marine Science Center is the only facility of its kind on any college or university campus, combining marine education, research and rehabilitation in one building. The $8 million facility, featuring flow-through seawater laboratories for teaching and research and a state-of-the-art marine mammal rehabilitation clinic licensed by the National Marine Fisheries Service, opened in September 2001.

pup.jpg
wadadli3.jpg
wadadli.pdf

- WATCHING TO THE EAST AGAIN

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 14:33:33 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

800 miles off CAPE VERDE ISLES... got a wave... looking favorable for organization and slow development...my guys say pay attention..

moving pretty slow at 15 mph... let's keep our eyes open... give a nudge to the back room boys

- RAINY NIGHT IN ANTIGUA

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 07:59:25 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

IT IS very very stormy here! LOTS OF LIGHTENING AND THUNDER WHICH MADE ME RUN AROUND UNPLUGGING ALL OF MY ELECTRONIC EQUIP IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ... 6 A.M.. NEIGHBORS LOST ELECTRICY WHEN A BIG CRACKLE CAME BUT NOT ME... THEY THINK THEY GOT A LIGHTENING HIT...... GUSTS OVER THE SEA 10-18 KNOTS...AND AS I AM ON THE ATLANTIC IT IS MORE STORMY HERE THAN THE WEST SIDE OF THE ISLAND. LOCAL WEATHER SAYS THIS WILL BE WITH US FOR THE DAY AND LOOKING AT THE SATELLITE MAP I BELIEVE THAT. BUT WE DESPERATLY NEEDED THE RAIN AND WE HAVE HAD IT MUCH THE NIGHT SO THAT IS THE SILVER LINING IN THE CLOUD! THINKING ABOUT THOSE POOR PEOPLE IN CAYMANS AND NORTHERN ISLANDS WITH TD #14...THEY ARE HAVING THIER SHARE OF THE WEATHER THIS SEASON...HOPE IT WON'T DEVELOPE INTO A HURRICANE! HOPE OUR TROPICAL WEATHER IS BACK BY SATURDAY...THAT IS NATIONAL CLEAN UP DAY IN ANTIGUA... ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMMUNITY EVENTS OUR ISLAND HAS EVER SEEN... ABOUT 80 COMMUNITY GROUPS COMING OUT TO CLEAN UP THE LITTER ON OUR ISLAND... SO WE WANT A NICE DAY... MORE ON THAT LATER IN THE WEEK...

- RAIN RAIN RAIN

From: <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 07:47:40 -0400


I was awoken this morning by heavy rain and thunder. The sky for the most part 
is overcast and we should be seeing more rain at least for another 6 hours or 
so. Looking at the satellite maps, there is a large red patch right over the 
northern Leewards. I did not look at the motion map so I am not sure which 
direction it is moving.

The farmers must be happy...

Alan B. Scholl B.Sc.
http://www.digitalphoto.ag

- SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME!

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 2002 08:08:16 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Beautiful Sunday morning here in Antigua........ am going to sea to enjoy our surf/sun and sand!

And last night Antigua has a fab event with the ORIGINAL DRIFTERS - these super old time guys (oldest 78!) .... flying in from Vegas to entertain us! (we don't often get big name entertainment on the rock!) you oldie goldie guys and gals will remember... UNDER THE BOARD WALK....and SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME... along with so many other hit songs! It was a super evening with people getting "into the groove" and standing up and dancing to the beat.... all really went wild as they ended with "goodnight sweetheart!"... It was walk down memory lane for those over 40 ish!!!

DRIFTERS 004.jpg

- world famous miss mermaid

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2002 00:23:24 -0400

be careful m.m.

the boys

- ANTIGUA ATLANTIC COAST LINE

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2002 07:29:53 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Had a fab day at sea and two beautiful scuba dives yesterday... our Atlantic coastline is rough and rugged with waves crashing along the rocks -- see attached. Beautiful rock formations from wind and sea erosion. Overcast this a.m. with some welcome rain... see on the satellite some clouds over us...hope for more rain!

ANTIGUA SCENES 004.jpg

- escaping protective custody

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 2002 22:21:00 -0400

a daring attempted escape by the boys in the backroom was foiled tonight by an unattended half full rum bottle.the boys were once again lured into uncharacteristic action by a picture of THE miss mermaid posted on the tortola page.

strict surveillance is now in force!

a contributing factor is thought to have been the unusually clear calm weather and the gorgeous cb enhanced sunset with montserrat pluming in the background.

- TROPICAL PARADISE!

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 2002 08:30:59 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

IT IS HOT AND STILL AND THE THE SEA IS FLAT CALM!! GOING DIVING...

this is a "SUNKEN ROCK DAY".... a unique dive site on the Atlantic side of the island..often too rough to dive on..... comes up to about 5 feet of the surface and a the reef drops along a ravine to 130 feet with overhangs and "cave like" effects... lots of wonderful schooling fish...sometimes big tarpon swimming by... and if we are really lucky we will have a pod of dolphins cruise in!

- 8.10.74

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2002 19:28:55 -0400

at 5:50 am on the 8th october 1974 a 7.25 earthquake hit antigua.it was a flat calm day just like today.

- waterspout sighted off north-west coast!

From: "Alan B. Scholl" <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2002 14:29:56 -0400

Hi,

At approximately 12:55PM, there was a waterspout sighted off the northwest
coast (i.e. out over Runaway Bay looking from Cable & Wireless Clare Hall).
It was long and thin, extending from the clouds right down to the water. It
lasted about 15 minutes or so before dissipating.

=======================================================
Alan B. Scholl
Home:  http://www.digitalphoto.ag/scholla
Ham:   V21BF
Antigua, West Indies - "Where Land & Sea Make Beauty..."

<<attachment: winmail.dat>>

- MORE ON VOLCANOES!!

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2002 07:47:45 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Antigua weather is beautiful today. But sadly our neighbors on Montserrat are having some problems... they have endured so much during the time since Soufriere volcanoes woke up!!!

MONTSERRAT GOVERNOR HAS JUST BEEN ON THE RADIO TO ADVISE a populated area (parts of Happy Hill and Old Town and some nearby areas) on the fringes of the Belham valley which has been safe until now must be EVACUATED starting at 9 a.m. today Tuesday! So there is more activity going on.

The dome is growing to the Northwest and this could allow pyroclastic flows to this part of the island. A fringe area is considered as high risk after serious studies over the past few weeks. Am sure there will be more on the web site... Below is some info from the late Sep. reports when things began to get active again..

SOUFRIÈRE HILLS Montserrat, West Indies 16.72°N, 62.18°W; summit elev. 1,052 m; All times are local (= UTC - 4 hours)

During 20-27 September, activity at Soufrière Hills' dome complex increased in comparison to the previous week, with a major change in direction of extrusion following a hybrid earthquake swarm the previous week. Growth of the previously active NE lobe stagnated during the 21st to 22nd. A near vertical spine was extruded in the central area around the 21st, possibly indicating a switch in growth direction. Observations on the 26th revealed a large new lobe that had extruded towards the W in the area previously known as Gages Wall. Material spalling off of this lobe produced rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows down Gages Valley for up to 1 km. The most notable events were pyroclastic flows on the evening of the 25th and the morning of the 27th. Growth and rockfall activity then changed towards the northern flanks, suggesting a possible stagnation of the recently extruded western lobe. Spectacular incandescence and semi-continuous rockfall activity were observed on the NE and N flanks of the dome on the night of the 26th and the early hours of the 27th. The Washington VAAC reported that a low-level ash cloud from an emission on the 29th at 1510 was visible over E Puerto Rico on satellite imagery through the following day. On the 30th a light dusting of white ash fell in E Puerto Rico at Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station.

Background. The complex andesitic Soufrière Hills volcano occupies the southern half of the island of Montserrat. The summit area consists primarily of a series of lava domes emplaced along an ESE-trending zone. Non-eruptive seismic swarms occurred at 30-year intervals in the 20th century, but the first well-documented historical eruption on Montserrat did not take place until 1995. Long-term small-to-moderate ash eruptions were accompanied by lava dome growth and pyroclastic flows that forced evacuation of the southern half of the island and ultimately destroyed the capital city of Plymouth, causing severe social and economic disruption. The volcano is currently in a period of new dome growth.

Map

Sources: Montserrat Volcano Observatory, Washington VAAC
Soufriere Hills Reports from the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network

- BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY IN "PARADISE"

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 11:00:21 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

This morning is our usual typical sunny Caribbean day and the sea looking out the Atlantic is really calm! Nice light breeze blowing and all is well in "paradise"! (of course we always wish for RAIN with Antigua being one of the driest Caribbean islands!) Sound be a lovely week coming up!

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 10:56:31 -0400

10kts-easterly.crystal clear.need weather.

- STORMCARIB NETWORK and SMALL WORLD!

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 08:05:10 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

BEAUTIFUL TYPICAL TROPICAL CARIBBEAN MORNING TODAY... Sunny/ white billowy clouds rather still and HOT ALREADY!!! Still watching LILI and thinking of those in the path...and "But by the Grace of God, there go I"...and thankful we ARE NOT SHUTTERED UP and waiting for her wrath.. but good luck to those who are... hope she will continue to weaken...

Gert sure had a vision when he created STORMCARIB to keep people around the world in touch/ informed on those of us in the tropics during storm season.. It is amazing at the people around the globe who have Caribbean links/ties and ck out the island reports....Just had an e-mail from someone in NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI 30 miles from my hometown of ABERDEEN MISSISSIPPI (have lived in islands for 27 yrs but visit my family there from time to time) He was interested in my last [posting and comments and HE KNOWS MY BROTHERS WIFE (also named Martha Watkins!) Small world for sure!!

and look at how Gerts STORMCARIB also PROMOTES THE ISLANDS!!! Miss Mermaid sure promotes BVIs with sharing island life and photos!!

- HURRICANE LILI

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 20:12:45 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

WOW... she really picked up speed after she danced past us causing us to at least wake up... or least some of us... think those back room boys were too high on their rum elixirs.. Ironic she hit Barbados and did (even as a tropical storm) 2 million Barbados dollars in damage..and NOW the track puts her where the REST OF MY FAMILY IS IN Northern MISSISSIPPI and the track goes there... WE DONT HAVE HURRICANE IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI.. what i s going on!???? Nobody in land locked Miss is prepared for HURRICANES SO SURE Hope she dies downs when hitting land. Feel for those poor people along the LA. coast who are running from their homes as I write this... not much fun!!

- MISS mermaid

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 17:34:37 -0400

for all who ever doubted that miss mermaid in tortola was really a "miss" read her last posting!

and for all those in the way of lili make ready and make your plea.

- tediuos tropics

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 07:08:07 -0400

beautiful,balmy,boring weather here.

- HEAVY rain this morning!