Sun is back! 

Like I earlier mentioned, there has been many days of heavy rain on this island lately. For the past fourteen days it has basically looked something like this. Rain, thunder, lightning and more rain. Sun has occasionally showed up one hour here one other there but there has been no possibilities to plan for any excursions or anything outside the boat for these past two weeks. The rainy period has definitely arrived and the hurricane season will soon be knocking on the door here in the Northern Caribbean islands, as well. Boring in a way that we haven't had the chance to get out exploring more on this beautiful island, but on another hand it has been good for us as we have gotten a lot of other things done. Some boat projects have been done, I have been working on my little projects and Alex have been working with his things. 

When we arrived to the Caribbean we decided that in case we wanted to continue sailing and leading this lifestyle we've chosen also after those two years we had saved money for, we would need to work every once in a while to not have to burn all of our savings. I have my things going on which I get a relatively good income from and I'm looking forward to increase this with time, and Alex have been lucky enough to literally get well paid jobs thrown over him since the very beginning of when we arrived to the Caribbean. A couple of boat deliveries, a few day skipper jobs and also some weeks of composite repairs and joinery on several larger yachts here in Antigua.

There were two ways we could have done this journey, either we could've seen this "world tour" as a longer vacation like many people do and then they return home to pick up with work again when the money is about to run out, that's what we could have done, we could have had the time of our lives for a limited time with no work during the same period but also we would probably get greeted by a great chock that day when we had to get back to the normal civilization - or, second option, we could see this as not an utter vacation, but actually our new life. In order to be able to continue with this life or lifestyle for as long as we wish to we would need to see that it was a sustainable life, which means that we would need to see some incomes coming in every once in a while so that we could continue doing what we love which is to sail around the world in our own tempo, enjoy life on our new found way of living without too many obligations, on our own conditions and basically that is what we've chosen to do.

We have now managed to lay it out in the way that if we continue to love this kind of lifestyle, then we would be able to keep on for as long as we want to and that is incredibly relieving and securing to know. We spend time on working with things that we somewhat enjoy for in average one week per month and then we're enjoying vacation in beautiful islands the rest of the time. This is a way of living which suits us the most and like that we would also be able to return with some cash saved that day when we decide to get back on land. We have many and wide dreams for the future and this way we've chosen to live now have given us a chance to both enjoy life to the max and also save and invest a bit for those future plans, during the very same time.

As for the question what's next? Alex has another work project going on here for a couple of days and thereafter we'll be leaving down South to Grenada to put the boat safe there for the hurricane season. We will be making several stops before we arrive, such as St Marteen perhaps, St Lucia for sure, the Grenadines, St Vincent and Mustique which we look very much forward to and also the Tobago Cays. In case there are any early hurricane alerts on the radio, we will rush down to a safe harbor in a day or two. Hurricanes does usually blow much above the area of Grenada and it is said to be safe down there. Alerts of an arriving hurricane from the Atlantic ocean normally comes in with 2-3 days notice and that should be enough for us to get our things together and quickly sail down to safety. In the meanwhile we will be enjoying our path along the coasts of the islands we've missed down there so far.

If just this constant rain could stop that would make everything a tad bit more interesting. Anyone knows if it is raining much down in Grenada during June-November? /T

Bought home a new wine the other day. A rustic Argentinean one which I've only heard rumors about earlier and for once rumors were true. This is an excellent, robust and deep red wine, coming from the purple Malbec grape, produced in Uta Valley in Mendoza, Argentina, as far as half a mile (ca 1100 meter) above the sea level. This Finca El Portillo from 2008 had a glorious flavor and a very round aftertaste. If you prefer deep and flavorful red wines like I do, you gotta try this one out when you get the chance. We had it with a spicy lasagna last night and it was the perfect combination, also I can imagine it to be absolutely beautiful with red meat and cheeses. Would so which to have some really good cheeses around but it is almost impossible to get a hold on good (French and Swiss) ones here in Antigua, especially now when we're more on the East side far from the International supermarket of Jolly Harbor, which seem to stock almost everything (even Felix Lingonsylt), and also a few good brie and chèvre's at least. Hoping to have the time to drop by St Marteen or St Barths before we head down to Grenada in next week to stock up on some goodies. Otherwise we might squeeze in an additional cheese stop in Martinique on our way down South. /T

5 dl (2 cups) of milk

50 g (1,7 oz) active fresh yeast or 14 g (4,5 teaspoons or 0,5 oz) active dry yeast

50 g melted butter (1,7 oz)

2 large carrots

1,5 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons syrup

4 dl (1,7 cups) all-purpose flour (vanligt vetemjöl eller vetemjöl special)

9-10 dl (4 - 4,2 cups) whole wheat flour or spelt (dinkelmjöl fullkorn eller vanligt fullkorsmjöl) - whatever you got at home. If you prefer a lighter colored bread, just adjust so you put equal amount of them two flours. In total there should be approximately 14 dl (6 cups) flour. 

Preheat oven to 225°C or 437°F. Prepare a baking pan with oil and flour or waxed/baking paper.

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk. Add the melted butter, the grated carrot, salt, syrup, most of the flour and stir to combine. Add more flour to the extent it is necessary, the dough shouldn't be too sticky but also not too hard. You should find the balance, it should be easy and smooth to work with. Leave to rise for approximately 30 minutes. Should grow to double size. 

Pour dough into pan and cut the bread into squares. Leave to rise under kitchen towel for another 30 minutes. Then bake on middle rack for around 15-20 minutes. When it's done, bring it out and cool in the pan for ten minutes and then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Now try to hold yourself for thirty minutes at least but you know what I've been talking about when you spread some butter on the first piece of warm bread and tasted this little miracle. Mmmmm .... it is almost too good to handle.

Not too hard to stay healthy in the West indies. Almost everyday we're having some fresh and incredibly sweet mango, the juiciest pineapple straight from the field and new passion fruit made in heaven... 

You guys keep asking about my hair and I love you for that, loving your enthusiasm and interest in such a dull subject. And the truth is that it is alright when I have it up like this, when it's down the whole carrot thing is visible and that is basically what I'm trying to avoid to not scare anyone around. Will bleach it all to blonde one day soon, just giving my hair an additional healthy time off the chemicals. 

I've been pretty good with staying off the chemicals myself as of late, and the fourteen (OK thirteen, I cheated) days as a complete teetotaler and non-smoker have made good for my body. I also stayed off chocolate and other toxins during this very same time and that was more or less what my body needed to get back in shape. That and the daily sit-ups, lunges and donkey kicks of course.

The non-alcohol period lasted until Saturday night when I had a couple of glasses of an amazing Bordeaux wine served at the hotel and the following delightful pina coladas on the terrace. Can't stay off the spirits forever right. Tobacco, on the other hand, will continue to be off my list of necessities in life for the time being.

Did you all note that down now? Very important information I'm sharing today. /T

Tan carefully.

Nicole and Gar

I have totally forgot to tell you, but Gar and Nicole on s/v Dreamkeeper, our American friends who we met back in Barcelona - have successfully finalized their circumnavigation. They crossed the magic line in Banderas Bay, Mexico for almost a week ago and it took them 4,5 years in total to spin around the globe. This lovely couple have made an amazing journey through the most fascinating civilizations on the planet. Congratulations and much love to you both for making it around! Check out their log and photos here.

On another note, our Swedish friends with the baby on s/v Mazarin have recently decided to sell their beautiful little Bianca 27 and upgrade to something bigger. I suggest you to read on here if you're interested in the perfect little sailboat for a single person or perhaps a young couple. 

We're back home from an amazing, amazing weekend at Cocos Hotel. Will write a longer summary and show some more photos of our brilliant stay with that romantic resort later on but I can immediately proclaim this to be one of the best places to hide away on this island - the service, the room, the FOOD, the ambiance.... It was just perfect and we couldn't have been more satisfied. Even the weather turned out to be at least a bit better than expected. Some sun on the days, rain in the nights. And never has a massive downpour felt so right, like when you laid in your huge bed in your private cottage on a dramatic cliff, the terrace doors wide open to the vast ocean while listening to the rain patter on the metallic roof above.. Total perfection. Can't wait to do this all again very soon.

Hmmm.... Blogspot seem to have deleted some of the latest post. They have promised to restore missing posts and comments in the next few hours so let's hope they're all back again soon. Ciao for now.

Not sure if pancakes and Nutella normally are included in a detox diet but who cares. I haven't been drinking or smoking for the past ten days by the way. Feeling fresh, light and healthy again and the glow is slowly getting back to my face. I think we shall celebrate my two weeks off the toxins with that hotel weekend we've been talking about as the sun finally is back again. And what else is there to celebrate? Our 1,5 year anniversary for example. Aaah, can't wait! We haven't been sleeping outside of the boat for four months now. Will be extremely wonderful with a change for some days. 

I had my last wardrobe cleaning for about one year ago, some months before we left on this journey. Most of my beloved belongings couldn't for natural reasons come with us on our 35ft boat around the world so much of it has been stored, loads of things were left to my sisters and much got sold in my vintage store online. Alex was kind in a way, he still let me bring twenty-three pairs of shoes and tons of my clothes for the first part of this circumnavigation as I couldn't make up my mind on what I would need. He had only one condition: "OK, keep them here for another six months and then you have to get rid of the things you haven't been able to use" So now it's gone six and a half months and even I have now had to realize that there certainly is no space nor are there occasions for 11 pairs of high heels and 12 pairs of sneakers and flats in this life we are leading. Even though I've tried, I haven't still been able to figure out a valid reason to keep all of the things on the boat as bikinis, shorts and flipflops seem to be the only few things I wear nowadays. So now it's about time to clean some of it out and decrease the weight of the boat a little. Out with the old and in with some fresh new air.

If you are interested in making some fashion bargains, please have a look in my vintage store here and let me know if you're able to give my precious belongings a life they deserve.

The rain continues. It is said that this was the worst torrential rain that have hit the island in years. Something similar to the rain which normally occurs during a hurricane. Roads are flooded, gardens are overfilled with dirty water, goats are literally floating around on the roads as they lost their grip on the ground and stores and offices are closed due to the massive amount of water that has penetrated wherever it could possibly get into. So what else is there to do than sitting inside, finally dry after the attempt to get to the grocery store and back, now chillaxing with some Indian jasmine tea, Scottish shortbread and whatever else cookies we found in the lockers, chill music on the stereo, scented candles and the necessary mosquito coils burning. Could've been worse, I guess. If we just could get rid of these nasty mosquitos too, then all would be pretty close to perfect. /T