Welcome to the October issue of Yacht Guide. Around the corner is the BVI Charter Yacht Show, signifying the start of our charter season. We managed to catch up with organizer Janet Oliver midway through her planning. As word spreads round the world of countries pulling themselves out of recession, it is yet to be seen whether the holiday makers and regular visitors will make it back through to the Islands.

Considering the devastation to the economies in Europe and the States and even closer in St Thomas, you only need to walk around town to see that as a whole the BVI has been weathering the storm. This season is the reality of the recession, and it will be interesting to see how the industry braves against better years. For certain, our Islands and their nature have remained the same.

In a testament to Island spirit, we are proud to bring you our front cover featuring men with a vision of boat building and keeping the skills island based, an island product. On walkabout at Wickham's Cay, under a blazing summer sun, I was shown the hulls in making and could not walk away from what I and many others appreciate as an old world skill, boat building. We are proud to present the project to you in its roots and will be following its development.

On your reading of this, the summer has passed and ahead are cooler winds, swell and a hive of island activity. For those returning from a well deserved rest, welcome back and time to get the show on the road. From all at aLookingGlass, wishing you the best of the season.