Simplicity February Happenings

Well I sure picked a good 6 weeks to be away from snowy and cold Ontario.  This winter on Cat Island has been glorious, the water is warmer than normal (hopefully not a precursor of things to come this storm season), very little rain and temps in the mid 80’sF/24 C daily.  Definitely beats the -16C temps back in Ontario.  Life is good!!!!

Will try and give some updates on what is happening on the island.                                                                                                             The main thing is that Arthur’s Town airport is likely to remain closed for scheduled flights, charters are landing there regularly.   Both SkyBahamas and Western Air are flying twice daily into New Bight.  The morning flights are spaced a couple hours apart however the afternoon flights are landing within 10 minutes of each other, neither flight is full so logically something should change, but hey, I’m not in control!

SkyBahamas allows 2 suitcases at 45 pounds in total, Western is 40 pounds.  Your carry on is supposed to weigh less than 15 pounds, however it is seldom weighed.  Take your carryon with you and drop it directly at the aircraft where they will put it in the hold.   One positive with only flying into New Bight, is that your suitcase will not be mistakenly onloaded at the wrong airport in Cat Island, yes this has happened to us on more than one occasion.  As far as travelling from New Bight up/down to Simplicity, taxi fare will be approximately $60.00.   Cindy Moss at Alvernia Foods has car rentals, currently priced from $50/day.  She will arrange for pick up at the airport.  Also, Danny King, our neighbour is still renting vehicles,  he is negotiable on price and will also pick up at New Bight. 

Silver Airways was supposed to commence flying mid February directly from Fort Lauderdale, this has been delayed until May.  WaterMakers Air, now called Makers Air still flies into New Bight from Fort Lauderdale executive a couple times a week.

There has been a push to start recycling on the island.  So far, only aluminum cans are being collected, hopefully soon bottles will be added.  If possible, bring your own water bottles with you.  There are a couple reusable totes at the house to take to the grocery stores.   Check out Cat Island United, for various initiatives that are happening on the island.  https://catislandunited.com/

Our son Will visited for a couple weeks and was able to build a tiki on the beach.  He cut down some casuarina trees for poles, and cemented them in.  Currently there is only a black mesh screen for a roof, next trip will add poles to the top.   Also, we are installing a standby generator, almost finished but unfortunately there was no 18 gauge wire on the island, so will wait until our next trip, likely in June to complete.   We seem to always have projects on the go, no complaints with the ocean only steps away, one cannot but feel both relaxed and thankful.