We went to Holetown Methodist Church as we have done the two previous Sunday’s and we found out there was only the stewards there. The Methodist church was celebrating 250 years of Methodism in the Caribbean and the Americas and there was a central gathering in one of the stadiums accordingly. However it was intended that there would still be a service but as no one turned up that did not happen.

We went back to the house and we try and ring the bowling alley but it did not open until 12 o’clock. Alec and I went for a swim at Paynes Bay and found that the sea had again re-formed the beach and there was now a 3 to 5 ft drop about halfway down the width of the beach running the full length. I could not make my mind up whether Sand had been removed or deposited.

There were various people cleaning up the beach although it was only leaves etc, off the trees on the beach. Not sure how the Jet Skis and the like are going to operate as there is not enough beach left above the sea level for them to “Park” the Jet skis.

Paynes Bay Barbados after Tomas

Day warms up nicely although not clear blue skies but still overcast. Everything feels damp. It is surprising how quiet it is without the power being turned on. In the area where we are living in their does not appear to be any air conditioning so presumably the noise is usually made by refrigerators and fans. The crickets and the frogs appear to be particularly loud.

Another phone call revealed that there was no answer from the bowling alley and therefore it was assumed that it is still closed. We have two appointments at schools tomorrow but the radio is advising that schools will be shut.

Another early night after playing cards by candlelight.

As Barbados is built on coral and not very hilly it is not susceptable to the landslides of the other island that are so dangerous and lead to the loss of life.

Most of the damage was caused by the trees being uprooted, falling on property, power lines etc. The soil is only shallow (300 or 400mm) so the roots cannot go very deep. This is not normally a problem but is with the occasional very high winds. lots of the trees that fell were 3 and 400 year old mahogany trees that just cannot be replaced.

Here are some sample photographs that I took for you viewing.

Water pouring onto road and making a waterfall

Typical Tree damage after Tomas in Barbados

Tree just missing Church in Bridgetown Barbados

Another view of Tree just missing Church after Tomas in Barbados

Huge Tree uprooted after Hurrican Tomas hit Barbados

Tree blocking road near Mullins Beach and Bar Barbados 2011

Rough sea in Bridgetown harbour

Sunken catamaran after Hurricane Tomas Barbados

Damaged front of catamaran after Hurricane Tomas

Apply named 'Jump up' did just that on Barbados beach

Capsized boat out at sea after Hurricane Tomas

More trees uprooted in Barbados this one near Holetown

End of Laines Road 2 St James Barbados after hurrican Tomas

At 9:30 am the authorities announced on the radio that the electricity had been turned off as a precaution and they anticipated it being turned back on in about six hours. The rain abated by about 11 o’clock with then just odd bout of high winds and outbreaks of heavy rain. They were advising on the radio that people stayed at home as many roads were closed and that nowhere was open including petrol stations, and it was dangerous.

We went out at about one o’clock to see for ourselves the extent of the damage and the photographs below will show you some of what we saw. There is a lot of tree damage which in turn has fallen on power lines and caused problems with the electricity. Looking at the very large trees that have been blown over, the roots are only 3 or 4 foot deep and then they cannot go any deeper because of the underlying coral that the island is formed out of. There was also lots of tree debris including leaves, fruit and bits of branches.

We headed south towards Bridgetown and we found that power was on within about 2 miles of our house and also at the petrol stations and some were open, although very little else was. There seemed to be minimal damage to the buildings although some of the houses and fencing built from corrugated sheet iron had been and down. There was also various awnings from the properties along the front that had been damaged or blown away.

Bridgetown itself seemed to be largely unaffected although everywhere was shut. We went to the Port and saw that there was a large catamaran that had been bashed on the rocks and completely destroyed. There was also a large mahogany tree that had been blown down in front of one of the old large churches in Bridgetown, and although it had been blown towards the church, thankfully it had missed the building. It would appear that thankfully there were no fatalities on Barbados.

We went down south of Bridgetown and into St Philips that was said to be the worst affected area. It was still raining very heavily in this area and there was some minor flooding of the roads. We followed the main highway and came back down to Holetown and noticed that the road along the coast to Paynes Bay flooded and possibly impassable in our small car.

We drove north on the Coast Road and found the road blocked at Mullins, by a fallen tree. We turned inland and the road was looking more and more like rivers and there were volunteer crews in evidence who were clearing the fallen trees etc. We tried several roads before we eventually got through to Speights Town and a near by estate where we were going to look at sometime while we were out that way, as we had been told that it was a nice area, close to the beach, and that properties for rent were reasonably priced. It was indeed a nice residential area.

Much to my surprise we found ourselves having to drive through a fairly deep water in the estate even though the whole estate is built on the side of a hill. This happened twice the second time being much deeper than I was really comfortable with water being flicked over the bonnet!

We drove back inland and then back to the coast going south to Paynes Bay but found that the flood water at Holetown had got much worse. We realised there was no way that we could pass through Holetown and indeed there was several 4×4 vehicles stranded at the roadside. We decided that we could get up the road that we had originally come down although driving through a foot or two of water in a small automatic car is not a great idea. I have watched the previous car and the water only look to be about one foot deep and I decided I could make it to the junction and up the hill, which we had come down earlier, and then we would be okay. We set off to the junction and unfortunately a car came down the hill and stopped at the junction preventing us from preceding. After what seemed like a long time, but I am sure was only seconds, of frantic gesticulating the car moved and we were able to make a left turn and go up the hill.

Again this was is much worse than when we came down and it was probably 18 inches to 2 foot of water running down the road as if it was a river. I could see that this lasted about 200 yards coming up the hill and at this point have no option but to go for it! Much to our relief and we made it although I would not like to try and repeat it.

Back at the house the power was off although we could see that houses on Holders Hill, which is not too far away, had power. The rain and the wind had stopped now, we’d played cards by candlelight and went to bed early.

We went down the beach, just Alec and I, a lovely clear sea but not Jet Ski’s! I had a word with one of the local guys who was hiring beds and umbrellas and he said he would see what he could do as you knew someone.

Alec and I went into the sea and as yesterday the sand ended at the waters edge and then about a 3ft width of broken coral which dropped into a short dip about 4ft deep and then up again to about 3ft. The strong waves of the other day have caused it. It’s OK going in, as you can jump/dive and not walk on the coral, but the steepness of the broken coral make it difficult to get out.

Anyway sure enough within 5 mins a Jet Ski turned up. I thought on the 1^st day that we went to the beach that it was $25 US for half an hour. I had therefore taken $50 Barbados with me (exchange rate 2 to one, although the actual exchange rate is 1.98 us to the Bajan). Of course now I was the hungry market and it was $50 US for 30 mins. After a bit of bartering I got it to $50 Barbados for 20 mins. (15mins allegedly being the norm for $25 US. Off we went, fantastic. I let Alec have a drive when we got out to the deep and he was very good and as you would expect, fully enjoyed it. 20mins was OK and we returned it satisfied.

Word must go round that there are customers looking for Jet Ski’s for rent on Paynes Bay as there was now 3 Jet Ski’s on the beach, one of which had arrived before we left.

Curry was fantastic as ever, thank you Mrs Barber, and Sue and Vanessa brought round a great chocolate cake. We had a great lunch, but unfortunately went on too long for bowling. I thought they would be open into the evening, but apparently that is not the case. We agree to go tomorrow at 10am instead.

Alec received a DVD from my Sister as one of this presents, we put it into the DVD but it would not work because it is the wrong region! We have external DVD drives for both Janet’s computer and mine but did not bring them with us as we thought we had no need. I tried to copy it on Sue’s computer onto an external hard drive so that we could watch it on his birthday, unfortunately copy defence on the DVD meant I could not do. I found a way round it and started, but it was showing 3 hrs to complete, so agreed to do tomorrow.

There has been a warning on the radio that Hurricane Tomas will be passing within about 60 miles and that will mean winds of up to 60 mph and rain and the power may get turned off as a precaution. This will happen in the early hours of the morning.

Gave up and phoned (at about 3.30pm UK time) but there was no answer. Janet did some research into building work in Barbados including local Architects, Surveyors, Contractors etc. I was going to email off my CV and then call or pop in, but I did not get the time. It would be better to print off, although I do not have printing facilities here and I am aware that we are running out of time.

Janet also found some useful websites that were, or were based around, employment/recruitment agencies that specialise in the Caribbean and Barbados in particular. Whilst they are aimed at the hotel and hospitality industry they had lots of useful info. Should have looked at them earlier.

We have read the various taxation information that we picked up from the tax office and there are tax breaks of 150% for various activities including education, export and tourism. Our guess would be that if you were to set up business in one of these areas, getting residency would be relatively easy.

Received a call from Paul today. Unfortunately although the Microlight passed its inspection on Monday, because the Airworthiness Certificate had expired it now needs a BMAA approved check pilot to fly the aircraft before it can be flown again. Had the inspection been carried out a week earlier, this could have been done by the inspector. The CAA and BMAA are working on it to try and find a way round and make an exception as there are no test pilots anywhere near.

The sea bed is being moved by the sea and what was previously a smooth gentle sandy way in to the sea, is now a layer of broken coral, and then a deeper drop to about 4ft. Beach very quiet today again and whilst I appreciate that this is off season, the weather is great and you would expect more people to be visiting and enjoying the sun/beach. Not a good time for the beach vendors.

When we were at Sandy Lane the other day, their beach was quite busy and crowded in comparison. When you consider that it is only 500 yards up the beach, you are paying allot of money not to have the beach to yourself!

The beach vendors charge a rental of $5 Barbados per item so $5 to rent an umbrella, $5 for a chair/bed etc.  These prices seem reasonable if you are going to be on the beach all day, but a little steep if you are only there for an hour or so. The guys are very friendly and will set up the chairs were ever you want on the beach even if it is right up the far end.

The visitors that are here tend to be British or Canadian and not many American, not sure why.

We are considering amongst other things taking Alec to the drive-in here on his birthday for the experience. The cost appears to be approximately £3 and this includes two films. Unfortunately try as I might I can’t find the listings for the films online. I bought the local paper, as I was told the listings would be in there, but unfortunately they were not.

In the afternoon we decided to visit the British Embassy, which is actually a British High Commission, to get some general questions answered about working/establishing a business/way to pay tax/residency etc. I must say that Google maps let us down spectacularly and sent us to completely the wrong place. After asking people, who were all very friendly, we eventually found the British High Commission. Regrettably they could not help us as they deal with people from Barbados wanting to visit or move to Britain. They suggested the Immigration Department and we advise that we had been there and they were not set up for answering general questions. They suggested that we should make an appointment to see the chief immigration officer who would then be able to answer our questions. They also suggested that we phone the Barbados High Commission in London which should also be able to help us. So tomorrow I will phone the Barbados High Commissioner in London and see if indeed they can help.

After this we went down to the beach. This time we went to Brannigan’s beach which is just north of Bridgetown overlooking the port. Whilst the view either end of the beach is not great, the beach itself was very nice. The beach had waves that were quite high and could easily pull a toddler over and a short distance out this the sand changes to rock/coral. Although this was not particularly sharp or hard on the feet it would not really be suitable for very young children but great adults.

The beach was quite quiet when we got there at 3:30 PM although at about 4:30 it came alive with local people playing (very well) a kind of bat and ball game. It is surprising how we are getting used to the temperature, now 3.30pm down the beach is very pleasant and the dressing gown that Janet brought out and was laughable on day 1, has been worn the last couple of nights. Temperature here is max 31C and Min 26C, everyday so far.

There was two Cruise Ships in the port and the first one to depart was Serenade of the Seas which belongs to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and is the cruise ship we went on December last year when we visited Barbados and indeed when I decided I wanted to move to the Caribbean.

Brannigans Beach Barbados looking south

Brannigans Beach Barbados with the bat and ball players

Brannigans Beach Barbados looking North

Seranade of the Seas Leaving Bridgetown Barbados

Brannigans Beach Barbados Sunset

I spent the morning working and then we went and spent the last couple of hours playing in the sea at Paynes Bay. I think it is fantastic that you can just pop down to a beautiful beach like this and spend a couple of hours at the end of the day. When we got to the beach we noticed some of the local lads playing a variation on the card game Jim Rummy where you put the “sets” down face up as soon as you have three or more which I guess gives people the opportunity not to collect what you have already got.

Janet was doing research into the various legal requirements for citizenship/residency and the implications of it and also looking at some of the other islands and their rules. It is becoming apparent that the biggest hurdle to jump is being allowed to work here. For Janet to fly as a commercial pilot it has to be proved that there are no local pilots available to take the work and local includes Barbados first and then press the Caribbean, and that’s just not the case. However if Janet had citizenship for whatever reason then she as much right to work in as anyone else.

Janet also looked into the British virgin Isles (BVI) and whether they still came under the UK jurisdiction and we would be allowed to work there relatively easily.

Late Afternoon Paynes Bay Barbados

Sunset at Paynes Bay Barbados

Sun down over the Sea at Paynes Bay St James Barbados

They had been advised that the electricity would be off this week as the poor outside the church was being replaced. However one of the congregation arranged for a temporary electricity supply so that the organ and the overhead projector could still be used (although fortunately for me congregation of fans could not be!). The tunes were certainly more upbeat and what I am used to this week and what I would call classic hymns were sung and for me this enabled worship.

The Bethesda dance group did a wonderful dance part way through the service. Harry decided that by way of a sermon he would tell people of his experiences on the recent trip to America to a conference. All very inspiring and the whole service was put together and a great act of worship. It was again two hours and 15 minutes long which I UK standards is a long time but it flew by for us.

After lunch we received a phone call to meet Paul again at the airport and although the wind was outside the limits for flying we could have a chat while he prepared is aircraft for its annual check. We went to meet with Paul and we all so met Chris who is establishing the new flying club/flying school at Grantley Adams airport, the name of this new venture is of course “Coconut Airways”. Chris is having a website developed by his brother which is not launched yet and so I cannot give you a link. Among other things Chris is going to give flying lessons for both people of the Caribbean and also run courses for people to come out from the UK and complete their training without the frustrations of weather interrupting things. Currently people from Barbados wanting to train go to the States, Chris reckons that his school will be comparable cost wise with this option.

At the moment Chris is working through the regulations to get the necessary paperwork and licenses to begin trading, this is taking longer than he originally anticipated. Good luck Chris. Paul will be flying under the umbrella of Coconut Airways i.e. he will be flying under their licence once it is established.

Just as we were preparing for lunch Paul rang and suggested that we meet him at the airport at four o’clock to see about a flight. Paul is currently working on his instructor rating for which you need an additional hundred hours and to assist in getting that he is offering contacts rides if they pay half the fuel. That seemed a good deal to me so I did not want to miss.

We went for us when on the south coast and found a deserted beach at Welches which was great and great swing in the sea. We got out in time to go to the airport for four o’clock where we met Paul and his brother Mark. Unfortunately Paul had been able to get hold of air traffic control to log a flight plan and therefore was not able to fly. It was presumed that the death of the president last night could be the reason behind the difficulty. We had a chat with Paul who I think is a white Bajan, he has certainly spent all his life here and discovered that Paul has not been flying a microlight very long it has been flying for 26 years in hang gliders, paragliders etc.

Paul is hoping to gain his instructor’s rating and teach an offer trial lessons in the near future. Paul is not appear to have a website and I am reluctant to put his number out here although if you Google him I’m sure you’ll find it or send me a e-mail and I’ll put you in touch.

Paul is going to hopefully fit us in for a flight next week perhaps one evening as he finishes work about 3:30. As luck has it for Paul there happens to be a P&M quick inspector coming to the island on Monday which is the day the Flexwing microlight permit to fly expires and the inspector was agreed to carry out the inspection for a flight round the island, great stroke of luck that.

We had a beer at the Barbados light aircraft club and notice that the food seemed good and reasonable and so decided to try it. I had macaroni pie with fish, Janet had fish and chips and Alec had to be in chips together with drinks this came to $55 Barbados or about £27 Sterling which was excellent on it and very good.

Welches Beach Barbados

Welches Beach Barbados

Man canoeing on surf board