MORE WIND AND RAIN! FELT LIKE I WAS IN MY NOVEL!

An earlier flooded road on New Providence Island, Bahamas 

What a day! It lashed down with rain and the wind didn’t let up either for some time. We heard it was a “trough”. A severe weather warning until 3 p.m. was issued by the Met Office, but we didn’t see it until 2 p.m. By then we had already attempted to get to church. Big mistake! Went through flooded roads and the brakes started to fail on our car. No problem. Erskine pulled over and pumped the brakes a little until it was safe to continue on.

I felt like I was in my novel “Love at Sunset”, where a fierce hurricane hits The Bahamas and Sandra’s husband has not used his best judgment, putting their children at risk! Here’s an excerpt:

“We’d better get back now.” Pete turned on the wipers and headed for home, but the wipers couldn’t move fast enough to clear the rain and debris from the windshield. He swerved to avoid fallen tree limbs on the road. And as large and heavy as his truck was, the wind wrestled wildly with it. He kept his hands firmly on the steering wheel. Then, just as they manoeuvred between bending casuarina trees on either side of the narrow road, they heard a loud crack. A large branch crashed on the truck, shattering the windscreen. The children screamed as the truck skidded out of control.

When we got back home after the service, one of the leaks had started again from the ceiling, so out came the bucket, hopefully for the last time. Our landlord is doing his best to get the roof repaired, but it can’t be that easy with the high cost of deductibles if you do have insurance, and so many roofs needing repaired right now. 

READY FOR HURRICANE MATTHEW!

6.55 p.m. Wednesday, October 5^th, 2016, Nassau, Bahamas:

The wind is increasing a little now. When I opened the blinds above my computer I discovered that the guy who put the shutters up had left one panel off that window! No problem. One of our sons put it up for us.

Covered everything in our office/storage area with large garbage bags (cut them up first) in case of possible leaks. Put important documents in a plastic bag in a small suitcase and photos and other personal items in another, in case we have to evacuate in a hurry. Made a list of what else to take if such an event becomes necessary.

Boiled a supply of eggs and potatoes. Baked two days’ worth of chicken. We also have tinned green beans, a couple loaves of bread, sandwich meat, cereal, milk, juice, fruit, and of course, water. We can always have the eggs, potatoes, chicken and beans cold if the power goes off. Also filled the bathtub with water in case the water supply goes off (this can often happen when there’s a power cut).

Erskine made ice in freezer bags, to keep the fridge cool if there’s a power cut. 

So we’re all set. Now we just want Hurricane Matthew to come and go quickly!