Actually it isn't an "Indian Summer" here in Bermuda but the expected weather for September/October. In the eighties most days, beautiful warm water and calm seas. Prime time for going fishing and the Wahoo are being caught in record numbers as well as Tuna and Marlin. When the temperature cools enough that we can leave the beach, there is of course "golf". You'll see a couple of pictures of our little golf course again in this posting.

September is supposed to be Hurricane month but so far the breezes are balmy and there is nothing on the horizon. We are still exploring this small Island and discovering hidden coves and beaches. At left you see me standing on some ruined stairs overlooking a little cove called "Palms Beach ." Mouse over my picture and you'll see Lori sporting her new polka dot bikini!

Even after living here for over two years, we are still amazed that we can find new beaches. The place pictured above is beautiful and unoccupied. We found it by hiking in search of new imagery for Lori's camera. After inquiring as to the name, some Bermudians who grew up in the area called it "Surfside" and others call it Palms Beach. Further West the beach continues into what they call Marley Beach. The next few pictures are of this wonderful stretch where we spent the better part of two blistering hot days swimming, snorkeling (the reef is very close) and just soaking up the sun.

Beach pictures are always better with someone in them (to give perspective). So it's either Lori or me and I think you'll agree that she is the more photogenic.

I think I'll call this "Bermudian Mermaid" and have her bronzed. (All she needs is a tail)

Bermudian Mermaid?

Looking up the beach toward Marley and Palms beaches to the left. Hiking around each outcropping of rocks reveilles another little cove.

Looking right we see Surfside Beach stretch to Astwood Cove.

As you can see we love it here on this beach all to ourselves. While the cruise ships unload the tourists by the bus load at Horseshoe and Elbow Beaches, we have found our little piece of paradise.

After four or five hours of listening to the surf, curing the ills of the world, cooling off in the ocean and soaking in the sun, one goes home with a sense of fulfillment and peace.

Lizards and Toads

The original Bermudian citizen, the lizard was the only non-flying, non-marine vertebrate on this island before human settlement.

Bufo marinus,The Toad, is so large that it is known as the “Spring Chicken” in Belize. These giants were imported to this island from Guyana in 1875 to control cockroaches. Today, this toad may be one of the threats endangering the lizards of Bermuda.

• Giant toads may prefer to eat insects, but they will go after anything that fits in their mouths — including lizards, frogs, mice, younger toads and even pet food left outside
• Every giant toad possesses a pair of poison glands that emit a toxin that, if accidentally rubbed into the eyes, causes intense pain and temporary blindness
• Male toads are particularly promiscuous and will attempt to mate with anything that even remotely resembles a female toad—including shoes!

As a surprise for Lori I had my portrait done... in the form of a mural. The painter swears that she took no artistic licence and the life size image is true in every detail, except perhaps for the colour.

The "Blue Ross" as we call it will adorn our entrance way and we hope it will encourage some artistic debate on the nude form.

If any of the readers of Life is a Beach care to comment on the nude form aspect of artistic endeavor, then by all means email me! I'll be pleased to hear your opinions.

Pilot James Darrell was the first documented black person to purchase a house in Bermuda.(1747-1813) He was one of a number of slaves freed before emancipation - in his case because of his skill in piloting ships of the British Navy through Bermuda's treacherous reefs. His descendents still occupy the house seen to your right.  The unpainted exterior is how a lot of houses in Bermuda once looked.

'REFLECTIONS"

The picture at left is incongruous with the imagery of Bermuda and that is because Lori took it while in Vancouver, BC! A familiar building in that town, the "Wall Center" is entirely faced with mirrored glass and thus reflects it's surroundings. What better way to blend into your environment? In this image the tower looks to become part of the sky itself.

We were informed that the Urban Living submissions need not be of Bermuda so Lori is entering this one.

"Reflections"
The Wall Center Tower ~ Vancouver B.C.

So that's it for this posting for September and October of 2007. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Next month we are visiting Panama for 22 days, so you'll not see anything more until then. We'll let you know if we placed in the photography contest. We will also show you some pictures of Panama.

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