I know I’ve been quiet since arriving at Avocado Cottage but that’s because I’ve actually been doing lots of touristy things with my good pal V who’s visiting for a week. And in being a tourist again I’ve had a really great time and fallen in love with Antigua all over again.
I suppose it’s because doing things like going to the beach on your own are not much fun; especially for someone like me whose tolerance to the sun has become less and less over the years until lying on the beach for a long time becomes torture. But we’ve been to Ffryes Beach and Dickinson Bay and each time I’ve had a lovely swim and then found a tree to lie under. I love the dappled shade that trees give. And we’ve visited my dear friends B and C and had a great evening on their divine water-side terrace, experiencing their warm hospitality and the following evening had a super supper at C&C Wine Bar – great food and wines and a lovely atmosphere. Great to see it’s going so well for Cutie and Claudine, too! On Friday we went over to the East Coast – the Atlantic side – and visited Betty’s Hope and Devil’s Bridge, two places I hadn’t visited for a long time. And it’s been especially lovely rocking on the veranda while chatting and catching up and drinking rum punches. Heavenly and as you can see, some much needed R & R. Don’t forget – Avocado Cottage can be rented out. It sleeps 4; it’s a five minute drive from some beautiful beaches and the capital city of St John’s and is in a idyllic spot with it’s tropical garden and semi-rural setting. If you’re interested please get in touch.
Yesterday we did the Wadadli Cats Circumnavigation which is such a fabulous day out – apart from the fact that today I look like a lobster and am on the cooling gel with lidocaine to take my skin back down to something resembling normal temperature. I’m sorry I haven’t got any photos to share with you all, but my UK phone is never switched on here as the roaming charges are so high I’d need a banker’s bonus to pay for it and my little Antiguan mobile is so old it hasn’t got a camera. I’ve got my iPad but wouldn’t risk taking taking that on the catamaran, which was just as well as I got soaked getting off. Why did everyone else manage to get off elegantly except me? Why was I the only one to go under?
Today is Sunday, so I’m taking V down to English Harbour/Nelson’s Dockyard and then onto Shirley Heights for the Sunday Night Lime. Got to be done, hasn’t it?
Yesterday I also had a production meeting with Heather and Noel and it’s official – we’re shooting the pilot of Maisie and Em starting at the end of this week! Hooray! Hooray! I am beyond excited! Something we’ve worked on and dreamed about for two years is finally coming to fruition! I will have LOTS of news about that so WATCH THIS SPACE.
And – I’m doing An Audience With Elaine Spires as Best of Books on Saturday 7th June, which I’m very much looking forward to. I’ll be talking about Singles’ Holiday and Sweet Lady which are both set here in Antigua and a Q & A session and then a book-signing.
I’ve also managed to write three short stories – and am working on 4th – for a book of beach reads that I’ll be publishing as an e-book in a couple of weeks time. So, as you can see, life is busy, but not so busy that I’m not missing the Daughter and the Sister and the Rest of the Family and still wondering how Auntie is doing in the care home. Can’t switch off from that!
And today, in Edinburgh, my lovely friend Marie Matheson is marrying her George. I hope they’re having a wonderful day and wish them a happy, happy life together. I can’t wait to see the photos; I know Marie will be a gorgeously beautiful bride and the vivacious Ms P will be Bridesmaid of the Year!
And that brings me to the marriage proposal. No, it wasn’t made to me, Dear Reader! But yesterday on the cat trip a young American guy, Nick from Las Vegas, got down on one knee at Green Island, pulled out the most beautiful platinum diamond ring and proposed to his girl-friend, a beautiful Antiguan girl, Nicolette and asked her to marry him.
And she said ‘YES’!!
I then asked to make an official complaint as I’ve been going on Wadadli Cats since 2003 – some years doing 20-30 cruises when I was working with the groups and not once – NOT ONCE! – did a handsome, young man ask me to marry him! 😉
Glad youre enjoying your hols. Shirley heights and nelsons dockyard is a must on sunday nights. Much love xx
Thanks, Tracey. We had a blast! xx