Cocktails for breakfast and pain killers

Monday and its time to return the car, but first we make a quick trip to the supermarket for a couple if bits and pieces. There's no point getting too much as we only have a dew days left here.

The rest of the day was very quiet indeed. We spent it at the Hut sunbathing, reading and having the occasional dip in the pool.

As always it's amazingly hot and the Princess is working on tanning her back, while mum is powering through yet another book and Henry is vacillating between being in and outdoors.

For the last couple of days Jen and I have been struggling with some huge bites that are very itchy. We are trying all sorts of remedies. They are soothing for a short while but then the irritation soon comes back. This is the first time that I've had such bites. So I need to wear repellent after all.

Food hasn't been high on the agenda for anyone today, least of all mum who's just not feeling hungry. Nevertheless I give her a couple of small veg patties for lunch (with Country Boy pepper sauce on the side of course) and she enjoys them.

As we get into late afternoon nobody can decide on whether to eat out or stay in tonight. In the end we opt for staying in and face the challenge of what we can make for dinner. It ends up being an interesting concoction of breadfruit (which Henry and Jen agree has no particular flavour but is ok), fried dumplings, plantains, beans and scrambled eggs. What a mixture! It all turns out lovely and we enjoy our feast. Jen finishes off with ice cream and rum cake while Henry just has ice cream. Mum and I are too full.

We decide to watch a film - Transformers - at least Will Smith isn't in it Jax!

Of course we don't even get half way through before falling asleep, so it's off to bed.

On Tuesday we decide that we don't fancy a lazy day like we had on Monday, so Henry and I are up early and keen to get out walking. We leave Jen and mum to relax as we expect to be gone for a few hours.

It's even hotter than ever and by 9.30 am it's sweltering. After an hour's walk we are in Hole Town. We need to rehydrate and decide to stop at Lime Grove Bar. We are pleased to see that Philip is on duty today - remember him from earlier blogs? I order water and Henry has a Guiness!

Philip tells us that he came second in the recent cocktail invention competition. He lost by only one point but says he learnt a lot from the experience.

There's a rep at the bar too, discussing different types of cocktails. Philip is mixing them and she looks up at me and asks if I like cocktails (is the Pope Catholic?) Before I can respond there's a Margarita in front of me. I haven't had any breakfast though. Cocktails for breakfast -so it looks as if it's going to be an interesting morning!

Two hours later and we've tested a variety of cocktails having been guinea pigs for Philip and the rep (sorry we didn't get her name).

We're joined by a couple who've been shopping and they order a "pain killer". Philip has never heard of it and I offer to google it. He makes this new cocktail - with a small one for me of course as I found the recipe. Soon we hear the same couple asking Philip if they could ring their taxi driver to push their pick up time back from 11.30 to 2 pm! We laugh and decide that it's time we left. We do plan to call in here for a drink later before going to dinner - maybe they'll still be here.

On the walk back to the Hut we explore Heron Court - another possible place for us to live when move here. It's lovely and there are a lot of empty units We're not sure if this is a good or bad sign. When we get back we can check out the prices on line.

It's been a very long and very hot walk today - mum and Jen are still chilling by the pool when we arrive. Henry dives in and I go to have a shower.

We chill for a little while and then phone the lovely Keisha to pick us up so that we can all go back down to the bar.

It's about 4 pm When we arrive and we're half expecting to see the couple that we left there earlier. Philip says that they left about 2.30. I decide to order the painkiller for me
and mum. She's not too keen on it but
she drinks anyway and then has a daiquiri!

We then head over to our usual haunt - Surfside - for dinner. As always the food is top notch and the service is abysmal.

We see a guy bright pink shirts with a porn star mustache. You know that you have to create a back story so we decide that he's a gay porn star. The picture below shows him and his friends chatting.

We see Mark who's tired after a busy day. Jen and Henry say that they'll be here at 10 tomorrow morning to go out on his boat to swim with the turtles. Mum doesn't want to go on the boat so I'll be staying ashore with her.

Time to call our Keisha and we head home. Oh bless I called it home.

We are beginning to talk about going home as we're flying on thursday evening arriving back in the UK on Friday morning. We keep hearing about how cold it is, that there's snow already in some places with more forecasted across the country. It's hard to comprehend when you wake up every day to a view of the ocean, beautiful blue skies and guaranteed sunshine (even when it rains).

Ruth has sent a text to say that she takes it all back; "Barbados isn't just like home, but warm".

As we turn into the little track that takes us back to the Hut we encounter a bus in the middle of the road. This is a very unusual occurrence as we've only seen 2 or 3 buses since we got here. He staunchly sits in the middle of the road expecting Keisha to back up but she's decided that there's room for him to pull over (which there is). It's a stand off.

She laugh as he has a schedule to keep and we can happily wait. She jokes about "sending Henry to pick up some drinks, putting on some music and partying in the car". She's also annoyed with the driver calling him a "jackass" and threatening to get out and tell him this to his face. We suggest that she backs up and she does reluctantly. She jokes again, "I guess this is going into the blog". Darn right Keisha.

We get a skype call from Jax who is still missing Barbados - it does get into your blood. She warns us that we need to be prepared for the cold and encourages us to "party hard" for our last couple of days here.

We watch the end of the film that we fell asleep watching last night and it's off to bed.

TTFN

Gem xxx

Big dreams and a quiet evening

We decide to spend all of today (Sunday) exploring housing options which is really why we hired the car.

While we're keen to live in or around St James, it's not called the platinum coast for nothing - the house prices are pretty high. So we want to consider all options, including the south the island.

In reality I don't know what the rest of Barbados is like. I've been to Bridge Town, Oistins and St Lawrence Gap, but only for quick, touristy visits.

Henry has done some good research and we have a list of places to visit. Jen decides that sun bathing by the pool is a better way to spend the day, while mum is up for a day of driving and checking out properties.

We head towards Speightstown stopping to look at Bakers Woods and Vuemont on the way. It's a very promising start as we instantly fall in love with both. They are very different but have a nice feel. We could see ourselves living in either area. The houses and apartments are small in comparison to our house at home, but provide everything we need.

In Speightstown we love the location, right on the beach, but not the apartments. I also thought we could find Mangos restaurant as it's had some rave reviews but I didn't see it.

We take a long drive to Rockley. We think it's too busy and we don't even try to find the apartments. We fancy some lunch so we head to The Gap but Sweet Potato (a Bajan restaurant we've visited a couple of times) is closed. We'll just pick something up on the road.

Then it's off to find Silver Point. The fact that we can't find it, get hopelessly lost in the process and are driving through torrential rain puts us off this location. We also kept seeing another driver who was clearly lost too. Whats funny is that he and Henry are following each other into numerous dead end roads before finally asking for directions. Of course if Henry had just followed my directions we'd have been ok - men!

On to Ocean City. It's a large house but again we're just not feeling the area
and the rain continues to pour. On the way I spot a sign that said "Ruthie's Garden Centre". I though our own Ruthie would like that one.

By now we're really hungry so I suggest stopping for some snacks at a service station. What an experience. There's a full take away menu of all the best Bajan food. Whatever you wanted was available and for a fraction of the price in stores and restaurants. So I got a beef roti for Henry, a chicken one for mum and a pattie for me. Their rotis were huge but my pattie was small so I got wedges too. All very tasty indeed.

The rest of the day we looked at various developments and just like any other type of shopping, the first one we saw was the best. We just need to find some money now. I'll be working hard on getting some new business when I get back so that we can make our dream a reality. Remember, our "caroaches" are too old and grey to sell so we just have to work hard and save hard.

As we drive home we decide to go out for a meal and spend some time finding a place where there's stuff that the Princess will eat. We settle on Ramshackle - cheap and cheerful
And I book a table for 7 pm.

When we get back the Princess is having a siesta. Unfortunately it did rain back at the Hut too, interrupting her sunbathing. That's a shame. I had hoped it was confined to the south of the island.

We all get ready to go out for dinner. It's nice having the car but I'm glad it's only for a couple of days, otherwise we won't do any walking at all.

Our table is ready when we get to Ramshackle. The nice young waiter is concerned about mum going down the stairs but I assure him she's done it before and will be fine. It's time I had a run punch - it has been a few days. Mum had a banana daiquiri, Jen a sprite and Henry a beer.

We order and the service is both quick and polite - not at all like Surfside. Unfortunately, despite the great service the food is just average. We decide to head up the road to Hole Town to checkout the scene of last week's crime - you know, the woman who was doing the x-rated karaoke? I hope she's singing again but Henry shudders at the thought of it.

Sadly it's pretty quiet down town and although our glamorous granny is there with her enteraugue of young men, she isn't singing. What a pity.

The consensus is to head back to the Hut for a night cap and a movie. We watch "independence day" - Jax would not be pleased with all of these Will Smith movies - while the Princess goes off to bed.

We missed out on seeing our lovely, smiling Keisha this weekend, because we had the car, but I'm sure we'll see her over the next few days.

TTFN

Gem xxx. (sorry the photos aren't so good today)

Just like home ... But warm

It's Saturday - Ruth and Malcolm's last day of their holiday. Everyone is up sharp and Ruth has already had "first breakfast" - rice and peas and gravy!

Because they've changed their flight they are not leaving until 11.30 pm so they have a full day to play.

Henry and I decide that we should hire a car for a couple of days to check out the various housing developments across the island. Our dream of moving here is still very much alive so we want to make the most of the time we have here to gather information. It also means that we can take the kids the kids to the airport.

We're in luck - there's a car available today and they'll bring it to the Hut at 10.30 am.

Ruth and Malcolm want to sunbath before we go out and for some reason decide to blow up a LILO that's been in the kitchen cupboards (it's a union jack one!). I'm not sure why we never discovered it before?

Malcolm does a sterling job and before you know it's inflated and all three are in the pool splashing about and having great fun.

The car arrives on the dot and we decide to make the most on having wheels for the first time since we arrived. Mum, Henry and I head off to shop and explore before meeting the kids at the bar to watch the footie (they'll be walking down later). (Henry can't drive in flip flops so decides to be bare footed).

On our first trip to the island we stayed at a hotel called Crystal Cove and have fond memories of our trips to a local store so we head there to check it out. (I know - fancy being sentimental about a supermarket!). Of course we end up buying all sorts of stuff - mainly pressies for mum to taken home. So she's very happy.

Pretty soon it's time to get down to the bar to watch the FA cup match against Brighton. We head off with high expectations.

As always we go to Surfside where we watch the matches. There are two matches on today so the place is very lively. It's the first time that Jen has been here and apart from the customary miserable waitresses, she likes it.

Our match starts well with plenty of chances to score goals but at half time it is still goalless. Jen and Ruth decide to go for a swim and are soon out of sight.

The second half of the match continues as it did in the first and and we are still expectant. But Newcastle have a way of breaking your heart and sure enough an own goal sends us crashing outing of the competition.

We need food and drink to get over the defeat so we order. Ruth and Malcolm have their obligatory fish cakes to start - they are so good. The Princess has a cheese burger and we have fish as always.

We head back to the Hut for Ruth and Malcolm to pack and ready themselves for the trip home. They're sad to be leaving. Of course they also soak up the last of the sun and the new LILO comes out again.

We get a call from Keisha and explain that we're taking the kids to the airport as we have a car and the flight is delayed by a few hours. She is sad to miss the opportunity to say goodbye but at least she can plan her sturdy evening now.

It's time to leave so Jen and mum say their goodbyes as Henry and I take them to the airport. On the way there's lots of talk about the weather at home and even what it will be like walk on carpet again! Ruth decided that "Barbados is just like home, but warm". We all have a good laugh and she says "it's one for the blog!"

Suddenly traffic comes to a stand still. There's been an accident up ahead and the road is closed. We have no idea about finding an alternative route. Luckily a local man gives us some very easy ands clear directions and were off again.

We arrive in good time for the flight and unload the suitcases. The kids are looking very sad about leaving and we will miss them.

Ruth's final words are "only 4 more sleeps after this one and you'll be home too". On that sad note we jump back into the car and speed away without looking back. Neither of us want to see this place again until we have to.

TTFN

"My eyes are bleeding!"

It's Friday already. The time is going far too quickly for my liking. We go home next Thursday! We need to get as much out of the next few days as possible. But there again Barbados is about relaxation so not too much "doing" but plenty of "being".

It's the Princess's first full day and she is up bright eyed and bushy tailed. After a healthy breakfast of a 2 chunky kit kats and coffee she's poolside to begin the serious job of sunbathing.

Ruth and Malcolm are there too of course catching every ray before they leave us tomorrow. Can you believe that it's already time for them to go? It seems no time since they arrived.

Once again Henry and I head off for a walk. It seems we are taking very long walks every other day now. We decide to head to Mullins to look at Battaley Mews where we plan to spend our next vacation. Although it's 9 am the sun is already hot so after walking for about half an hour we hop on a yellow bus - always good fun with reggae music playing and a lovely mix of tourists and local people.

We miss our stop and almost end up in Speightstown. We get off and walk back towards Mullins. On the way we pass a bunch of school kids heading for a field trip. They look super smart in their pristine uniforms. They wave politely and say "hi tourists" in unison. "Tourists?" Us? And there we were thinking that we looked like locals!

The visit to Battaley is well worth it. It's a beautiful little complex of 3 bed houses all tastefully furnished and with individual plunge pools on the balconies. There's a tennis court, shared pool and poolside bar. We spend some time with the on-site rep who gives us the low down and we decide that this is great place for our next trip to the island with Jax, Si and the kids. In fact it's so nice we wonder if there's a way of buying one of the houses as most are for sale. But they are a bit too pricey. Where's that lottery win when you need it?

We head back down the road, only 5 minutes to the beach where there's
a great looking bar (this could be our new local, instead of Surfside) and a very nice restaurant that we would like to try. It's not Bajan fare, but it looks good.

As we start to walk back a yellow bus appears so we hop on, getting off at the bottom of the hill for the 20 minute walk back to the Hut.

The kids are sunbathing and mum's reading (there's a surprise!). We have some lunch from the mountain of food left over from last night's BBQ.

We plan to head to Surfside this afternoon so we spend the next few hours soaking up the sun and checking out BA flights for our summer vacation.

We're disappointed, the cost of flights for July/August is double what we paid to be here now. So bang go our plans for a summer return to the island. I try skype Jax with the bad news but she's not available.

Now it's time to head out as planned. mum, Henry and I walk to the bus stop and the kids decide to walk the all the way to Hole Town.

We arrive at the bar and order banana daiquiris (Guiness for Henry). 20 minutes later the kids arrive. The sun will be doing down soon so Malcolm and Ruth and determined to be on the beach for this as they have missed it every night this week.

Just then a man heads to the bar. He is very brave as he has the largest stomach I've seen in ages and he's wearing "budgie smugglers". Malcolm
Looks round and wishes he hadn't. The sight is enough to make your eyes bleed! Check it out below.

Mum, Henry and I decide to eat at the bar and the kids are off to get some shopping as they want to do another BBQ when we get in.

We get back and decide to watch a film. We choose one of the DVDs from the lovely Keisha - "We bought a zoo" -with Matt Damon and Scarlet Jahansson. We really enjoy it and
also watch "I Robot".

The kids are outside enjoying their BBQ and a few drinks. The Princess goes off to bed first, closely followed by us old folks.

Tomorrow afternoon it's footie at the bar as Newcastle are playing Brighton in the FA cup. That should be good fun.

TTFN
Gem xxxx

The Princess, new friends and a BBQ

It's Thursday and we're waiting for Jen (the Princess) to arrive as a new addition to our Bajan family.

We are planning a BBQ for when she arrives and have also decided to invite our lovely friend Keisha who has chauffeured us all over the place at a moment's notice. (We wished we'd thought of inviting her while Jax was still here).

We spend the day quietly by the pool. No walking for me and Henry today. Ruth and Malcolm decide to walk to Hole Town to visit the bank though. Ruth is also doing a bit of a fashion parade for us and has now changed outfits twice this morning.

Because the BBQ shopping was also done by the intrepid adventurers a couple of days ago there's very little that we need them to get while in town.

Mum has finished "The Help" and has started another book - her third since she arrived. This one is called "The Other Hand" and she's racing through it.

Henry and I are just chilling only occasionally getting up for a drink or a snack.

The kids come back from town and don't have any adventure stories to share but can you believe it - they've been to Surfside for drinks and also had fish cakes! The rotten devils didn't bring any back for us!!!!! (another change of outfit for Ruth).

They have bought a few more things for the BBQ though. As Ruth says neither of us know how to make small amounts of food.

Because we've invited Keisha we also decide to also make fried dumplings, more rice and peas and plantains to accompany the snapper, king fish, burgers, hot dogs, veg kebabs, coleslaw, ribs, roasted butternut squash, salad and potato wedges that are already on the menu. We could easily invite all the neighbours and still have too much food. So when Keisha calls to ask if Andy can join us the answer is a resounding yes.

The battle of the rice and peas begins as I get the kids to taste both mine and Jax's (which was in the freezer). If they know what's good for them they'll choose mine because Jax is too far away to whinge at them. (I think it was a draw. After all Jax had been my coach last week and I was just following her instructions!)

The Princess arrives at 5.30 after a call from Keisha to say that had slept on the flight and missed the food so would like something as soon as she arrives. Ruth makes her a sandwich and it's ready for when she gets here.

We get a skype call from Jax who Si says is obsessed with Barbados as it's all she talks about. She's still missing being here and we miss having her. She's also finding it tough to adjust to the cold at home. Jax says that she was born to be here.

The good news is that it looks as if we may have found a great place for our summer vacation so she can properly start to plan her return to the island. She signs off skype asking that Jen calls when she arrives. But in the hubbub we didn't get a chance. We will call tomorrow instead.

I also get a call from Wayne to say that his sister in law, Steph, is in Barbados and we hope to catch up with her before we leave.

We're all in the kitchen cooking up a storm (including mum who's in charge of plantains).

Just as we light the BBQ the heavens open and we plan to shift everything indoors if it persists. It eases off enough for us to stay outside. Some do and some choose to go indoors.

We decide to put the table umbrella up to help keep the rain off and two tiny geckos are startled into flight as we open it. They are only babies and in a panic run straight into the pool. As quick as a flash, and without a minute's consideration for his own safety, Malcolm rushes to the pool, scoops them out and places them safely on the terrace. They scuttle away and we all admire his bravery. What a guy. (Can geckos swim!!??)

Keisha and Andy arrive, bringing a lovely bottle of wine with them. Malcolm and Ruth have worked very hard and the cooking starts. In no time the procession of food begins and, as we predicted, there's more than enough.

Malcolm is head chef and Ruth takes great care of him, making sure he has enough beer for a man battling with the heat of the open flames. (Another outfit change for Ruth).

We manage to break a dish but i think we've done well to only beak one thing since we've been here.

We spend the evening eating and drinking. Ruth makes mango daiquiris and rum punch. After a couple Keisha begins to bob and weave - she's just a light weight and clearly can't take her drink. Unlike me - a master at holding my liquor! The rum punch incident at Surfside last week was more to do with dehydration than anything else. (that's my story anyway).

Andy links up with us on Facebook so that we can all keep in touch. We have a good old laugh, look through photos of our respective families and relive some of the stories from when Jax was here, including the one about Dexter St Jock.

Malcolm is bemused so I find the Eddie Murphy clip on Utube and he's quickly enlightened. He says that if Ruth comes to Barbados on her own Keisha and Andy are under strict orders to take her straight back to the airport!

A few more drinks and we all begin to flag. The Princess has done well to stay up so late and is the first to head to bed. Soon after Keisha and Andy head off too.

The lovely Keisha gives us a couple of DVDs to watch and off they go.

TTFN

Gem xxx

Sunsets and hat tricks

Ah beautiful Barbados. Another glorious day. It's a real blessing to be here.

It's the morning after the kids have survived their ordeal and they are up early ready to start another day. They decide to make a huge breakfast of pancakes, bacon, beans, toast and eggs. Ruth only decided to add beans for the "vegetarians" as she refers to me and mum.

In no time we have gobbled it all up and it's Henry's turn to wash up (we've given up using the dishwasher as it falls forward when you open the door).

What shall we do today? Ruth announces that she's reserved a table at ramshackle for this evening, but as there's a football match on at Surfside we should go there. Bedsides, she is disinclined to support Ramshackle as it was the guy there who told them yesterday that it would be safe to get to Hole Town via the beach. And given that they they barely survived, why should they be rewarded with our custom?

We continue to explore options for our return trip in the summer and the kids work on their tans. You guessed it, mum has her nose firmly in her book. She's really enjoying it.

We get a skype call from Omara who feels that her second exam went much better than her first, but is still convinced that she hasn't passed and will be doing resists in July. We will see.

The kids have decided to see if they can change their flight to Saturday so that they get one more day of sunshine. It looks feasible but they just can't decide. Finally they make their minds up - they're going to stay and will take the 10 pm flight on Saturday. Jen will be happy to have her sister around for an extra night and it means we can all go to Oistin's on Friday night.

Back to today's plans. We settle on going to Surfside at 3 pm and staying down there for dinner - no BBQ tonight either, we'll do it on Thursday when Jen arrives.

Henry and I go for a long walk, taking in the wonderful views of Royal Westmorland (which, BTW, was the site of a sugar cane factory but is now
mainly luxury homes - including one owned by Wayne Rooney).

It's baking hot and we stay out much longer than originally planned but we love it.

We get back to the Hut and Henry dives into the pool to cool down. (Mum has taken good care of the kids while we were out). He gets out of the pool and wraps a towel around his head to keep the sun off - what a sight, as evidenced by the photo below.

Before we know it it's 3 pm. Time to head down town to (hopefully) watch Man City beat Liverpool in the Carling Cup and enjoy some lovely Surfside grub.

The kids set off before us as they need to get to the bank. We decide a leisurely walk to the bus stop would be nice rather than calling Keisha.

It's even hotter than ever and we're wondering if walking was such a good idea. As we turn the corner a taxi pulls up and asks if we want to go down town. We say yes are glad to be out of the sun for the short journey. He tells us that there's a great little food stall run by Shirley near Sandy Lane that does great food for only $6 US plus a complementary drink. It sounds like somewhere worth visiting.

He takes us right to Surfside and then says no charge. "I am blessed" he says "not with money, but I have a good life and it's good to do things for others". Just another example of why we love this place so much.

The kids are at the bar when we arrive (the bank close at 3, so they'll have to come back tomorrow).

It's drinks all round - rum punch for mum, but water for me (I can't handle their rum punch - remember). We watch the sunset, play cards and bemoan Liverpool's 3-2 victory.

Time for dinner. To our surprise the menu at Surfside changes in the evening. It's more Mediterranean than Bajan. "wrong" as Jax would say. We choose from the now limited Bajan menu. As always the food is excellent. Because Henry and I shared a starter and main course I feel its ok to have a desert. I choose coconut pie but am not sure if it's a wise choice. Well it was. The pie was piping hit served with cream and ice cream - delicious, but too much so Ruth helps me out.

Mum begins to flag, dozing off at the table it's time to head home. Because there are 5 of us we decide to find a taxi van. A taxi driver at the next table offers to take us back (I think he felt sorry for mum as she's struggling to stay awake). As we prepare to leave we mess around with wearing each other's hats. As you can see mum is wearing Henry's and rum punch is wearing her!

It's a car rather then a van and a tight squeeze but we pile in and are back at the Hut in 10 minutes.

Ruth makes mango daiquiris and soon mum and I decide it's off to bed, leaving the others nursing their drinks.

Jen will be here tomorrow and we plan to have that BBQ at last.

TTFN

Gem xxx

Stranded at Surfside

Tuesday already. The days are going by much too quickly. I wonder if we've won the lottery so I don't have to go home? That's wishful thinking so I've resorted to persuading Henry to go on the streets to earn some additional money. But as Jax says her "caroches are old and grey now" and I guess Henry's are too so we won't get much for putting him to work.

To take our minds off the awful prospect of going home we arrange to go for massages at Westmorland. We call and they can fit us in at 2 pm. Brilliant. A call to Keisha to arrange transport - but she's just going into the shower and asks her colleague to pick us up instead.

Before we go the pool guys turn up. No Jax to check on their work, but they ask me to send their regards to her.

Ruth and Malcolm decide to head off to Hole Town to shop as they have big plans for a BBQ tonight. We're getting used to this (there goes those expanding waistlines again).

The taxi picks us up and we arrive at the spa early, fill out a questionnaire for mum (we've been before so we don't need to) and off to change into our monogrammed robes. They invite us to sit by the pool and relax before going into the treatment rooms. (Mum just can't put her book down).

I notice that since we were here last they have a new gym and are offering Zumba and Pilates classes. We also spot some lovely new properties for sale. Mmmm worth looking into when we get back.

It's time for our massages and we are greeted by 3 therapists - 2 women and 1 man. We're wondering who gets the guy - Edward, and it's me.

The treatment room is cool and very large so easily accommodates Henry and I being massaged at the same time.

Edward does a wonderful job, albeit a bit too gentle for my tastes, but it's relaxing and he worked on my shoulders which are always tight.

We meet mum in the hallway and there's a definite spring in her step and big smile on her face. She loved it and said she was well "pummeled" by her therapist.

We change and it's back to poolside to relax before Keisha (who's now out of the shower) picks us up.

Back at the Hut, no sign of the kids so we make some snacks and sit on the terrace. The sunset is breathtaking, so much so that Keisha calls to make sure we're watching it.

Now it's dark and there's still no sign of the kids. I'm guessing they got to a bar and forgot all about shopping for he BBQ (much like Jax did with her gift shopping last week. Barbados can do that to you).

We get a skype call from Si and Jax to plan our return trip in July/August. We have a good long chat. By now it's gone 7.30 - still no sign of the kids.

Just then I get a call on my mobile it's Ruth. Her first words are "we're stuck at Surfside bar, can you ask Keisha to pick us up?". I burst out laughing as she tries to tell me that they had stopped off at Ramshackle bar first before going shopping. However they'd decided to get to town via the beach rather than the road ("the bar man at Ramshackle said it would be ok"!)

They encounter some very rocky obstacles, massive waves and crabs, but they persevere. Why? I don't know. The could have gone back to the road.

When they reach the Colony Club Hotel a concerned resident said that they had been watching them through binoculars and were ready to call for help if they needed it. (She then calmly went back to sipping her G&T while the intrepid adventurers continued their journey). If only we had photos!

We call Keisha and minutes later the travelers are back with tall tales of their near death experiences and the need for sustenance at the bar before heading back home. After all they hit soaked and covered in sand. It's a muscle they survived!

Unlike Jax they did manage to bravely shop despite their terrible ordeal. However, it had all been too much so now they weren't up for preparing a BBQ. Instead they made daiquiris and we had baked potatoes and salad.

We spend the rest of the evening celebrating their safe return and listen wide eyed to how they overcome all the odds to survive their shopping trip to Hole Town.

TTFN

Gem xx

Busy doing nothing

We get up today determined to do some exercise so we decide to walk into Hole Town to get some groceries. The kids and mum aren't about to budge!

We sort breakfast and leave them relaxed and soaking up the sun. Mum continues to be engrossed in reading "The Help". She should finish it within a few days at this rate.

The walk to Hole Town is tough. Although we left early it's already baking hot. But we would would rather have this than the weather at home.

Because its Monday morning the supermarket is busy and bread has all gone except for a few whole loaves so we grab one. We end up buying more than we planned - as always, so it's a taxi back to the Hut.

Everyone is where we left them even though we've been gone for over 2 hours. The kids decide to make lunch and it's yummy.

Back to sunbathing and before we know it the sun is going down so it's r&b's on the terrace as we watch the last rays of the day.

Because mum isn't keen on going out the kids decide to walk down to Raggamuffin's while we stay home and rustle up the evening meal.

After dinner we settle down to watch a film that Henry has downloaded to his IPad. He thinks it's puss in boots but it turns out to be some awful, badly made rip off. We give it 15 minutes then rip off. Henry puts Tron on instead. Mmmm not sure if this is any better.

Before you know it the kids are back. They ended up at Surfside as Raggamuffin's was full. The walk was longer than they anticipated and they encountered some interesting local characters on the way!

A little while later its off to bed leaving the kids sitting out enjoying the warm night air and a couple of drinks on their balcony.

The days are flying by and once or twice we've mentioned going home which we're not looking forward to at all.

No specific plans for tomorrow but we will make appointments for massages at Royal Westmorland Spa.

TTFN

Gem xxx

It's goodbye from me

It's goodbye from me!

Well folks, 10 days have passed by very quickly. After a tearful goodbye to Hank, Gem and Mum, Keisha picked me up from Surfside. Thank God for Keisha because during the 20 minute ride to the airport I forgot how sad I felt. We decided we were definite kindred spirits and vowed to keep in touch. I gave her all my contact details.

I arrive at the airpory and check in. I'm overweight (surprise, suprise) and am told that I can pay $140 BBD or repack. I chose to repack and after a few minutes was able to check in my baggage without having to pay (although my hand luggage was considerably heavier)!

Off to duty free for the Mount Gay Rum. With all the repacking I had to do, it was soon time for me to head to the departure lounge. I sat there, thinking of the others. Sunglasses donned, I started to cry again. All of a sudden I heard my name mentioned over the tannoy..."Jacqueline Gentles to return to security"! For a split second I thought may be it was Hank and Gem coming to rescue me and to tell me it's OK I can stay for a bit longer. It's all be sorted. Then I started thinking, perhaps the rum, whisky and pepper sauce had burst in my suitcase and I needed to collect my case and sort it out or even worse! When I got to security, I found that I had left my plastic bag of liquids, lipstick etc. and thankfully, my name was on some medication I had. Phew!! I wasn't going to be stripped search after all! Shame!

I sit back down in Departure Lounge 13 - very unlucky for me! After a few minutes, I board the plane. Walking across the tarmac to the aeroplane was too much reality of going home and I burst out crying. I hope no one noticed!

I found my seat and luckily I was on my own until take off when a long legged man sat in the aisle seat. A few tears for take off; a few tears during my dinner but then I watched Hugh in Real Steel and Bradley in Moneyball before going to sleep.

The flight went really quickly and at 4 a.m. I was awoken to a cold breakfast... no thanks!

We are told that due to tail winds we are to arrive at Gatwick early than anticipated. A very bumpy landing and just as I am about to get my bags together, a girl on the plane shrieks that her knee has disappeared. I'm not sure what it was all about but I hope she is ok. The paramedics came to collect her.

Walking across the tarmac to the terminal, it didn't feel that cold! I head for baggage collection and luckily I didn't have to wait too long and my bag wasn't leaking rum, whisky or pepper sauce.

I get to arrivals, look to my left and there is my Dexter waiting for me and looking mighty fine! I was so shocked to see him but needed a wee! When I got back from the toilet, I gave him a hug. He said that he was partying in London with his friend and didn't want me to drive back on my own. How lovely and a great surprise!

We wait awhile for the taxi and head home. The cold is biting; so much so that I got a headache and earache! That's it the dream holiday is finally over until next time..so its's goodbye from me and I am planning my retur4n with my family in August 2012 for Crop Over so watch out for Barbados 2012 - The Return!

Some memories of my holiday:

1 The Cliff - fantastic atmosphere, great food and great company;

2 It's a beautiful Island and I actually prefer it to Jamaica;

3 I didn't tire of the food or drink;

4 The people are friendly but the waitresses need to work on their attitude;

5 I didn't miss the kids as much as I thought I would; that's the beauty of skype;

6 Hank is a wind up merchant!

7 Gem can cook like a black woman!

8 The sun agrees with Mum and she can walk a lot further than she thinks;

9 Flying fish at Surfside is the best; and finally:

10 that like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I didn't have to go beyond my own back yard for Dexter, he was there the whole time!


Jax

Lazy Sunday - No Problem

It's another hot, hot, hot one in Upper Mount Standfast, Despite some rain this morning and bit of cloud.

A quick breakfast of toast and juice. Our plans to head down town fade away as the sun bursts through and the kids decide that it's a good day for sunbathing. So everyone decides to relax. This is the first time Henry and I haven't gone for one of our long walks.

Mum settles with he book while Henry and I alternate between our iPads, listening to music and playing on the DS (well I play on the DS really).

Before we know it it's lunch time and we're feeling hungry. Remember that we haves no food in the Hut because the shops were closed for Independence Day and aren't open on Sundays. But we've got tatties so I make wedges - with Bajan seasoning of course. Ruth comes up with a lovely salad nicoise and voila we have a wonderful meal. I question why we didn't come up with this last night when Henry suggested rice and gravy for dinner? The excuse is that everyone was tired but I think sun and drink had a lot to do with it.

Everyone is full (except Malcolm who decides that soaking up the sun is more important than eating)....so it's back to our pre-lunch activities (or lack of).

Tonight we're heading to 1st Street for a night of entertainment and food. There goes those expanding waistlines, but that's why God invented elasticated waists and Lycra.

We're missing our Jax but have started the search for villas so that we can come back in August.

Keisha has to make 2 taxi trips as there are now 5 of us. It's karaoke night at Raggamuffin's and the trannies are strutting their stuff but first it's Surfside for aperitifs. Can you believe it we sit next to two Geordie couples (the women are Sunderland supporters - need i say more?) They're staying at Discovery Bay. Nice people, despite the two Mackems. Malcolm hits it off with them. Mmmmm!!! But one of this is the millionaire owner of Glendale Transport!

This was the site of last week's rum fiasco so I steer well clear and have wine instead. Mum however pipes up "rum punch for me". Maybe the old girl is showing her daughter how it's done! But we encourage her to only have the one.

Next we head to Angry Annie's for dinner. Oh dear that was a mistake. It was very poor. A first for Barbados but then again it's owned and run by a Brummie couple. We should have known better. Malcolm had to send his steak back. Mum also had a banana daiquiri - she's clearly on a roll so I need to keep an eye on her.

The karaoke and dancing in the street more than make up for the disappointing food. We watch in amazement as a very old woman steps up to sing "I just wanna make love to you". She changes the words but I cannot repeat them in this blog! I was so shocked it took me a few minutes to collect my thoughts well enough to whip out my phone to video it. The link is on my FB page - check it out. Not for the faint hearted!

We had a great time and before we know it Keisha is picking us up and it's time to go back to the Hut.

A couple of night caps and it's off to bed. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

TTFN

Gem xxx

Our Independence Day - the final countdown

It's Saturday and the final count down for Jacquie's trip back home. It's sad but we are determined to make the best of the time we have left. What's worse is that I'll have to write the blogs and you know that I lack Jacquie's writing talent and sense of humour. I'll do my best though.

At her request we spend the day at the Surfside bar - no surprise there. Keisha picks us up as always (Hank and the kids decided to walk down) and we notice that it's pretty quiet for a Saturday. Keisha tells us that it is a bank holiday - independence day - so most families are picnicking in the park or having fun at the beach. Our independence day will be in the bar.

We get to Surfside bar in time for the end of the Chelsea v Norwich match. A very disappointing draw. We position ourselves to watch the Fulham v Newcastle match and are happy to be joined by our Toon army friends who are also holidaying on the island. Despite a cracking goal by Newcastle we end up being soundly beaten. Jax commitments the ultimate sin of commenting in how badly we did and Hank says he won't miss her after all.

While its Jacquie's last day it's, it's Ruth and Malcolm's first. They start with a huge breakfast of beef and chicken rotis. We're amazed at their ability to actually eat these enormous plates of food, especially for breakfast. As is the way with us the drinking start straightaway. Beers for the guys, G&T for Ruth, rum and coke for Jax and the light weights - me and mum - have fruit juice and water.

Ruth and Malcolm are taking short excursions onto the beach because it's hot, hot, hot and they want to brown not burn.

Our friend Mark appears and tries to encourage Jax to take a jet ski ride but she's having none of it.

Jax spends the first part of the morning writing her final blog (which you have hopefully read by now). The rest of the time we spend chatting and drinking.
Mark continues to cajole Jax about getting on a jet ski and she finally gives in, but is quite nervous. Afterwards she says it isn't as bad as she anticipated and is glad she had a go. Kai will be so proud.

Time for the last supper. Jax orders flying fish as always. She says It's even more delicious, perhaps because it's the last day.

A trip up to Mango Bay Hotel for a
shower and change and Jax is all
set for the trip home. The last few minutes go very quickly and before we know it Keisha is here to pick her up.

A few tearful hugs, kisses and goodbyes and before we know it she's off.

We decide to head to the supermarket to get some food for tonight but it's closed - of course it's independence day! The service station is open
and the guys buy more beer, concluding that there must be something at the Hut that we can rustle up.

Back at the Hut and the guys are in the pool. We get a skype call from
Princess Jenny (who will be with us for our final week on the island). She's excitedly talking about what she is going to pack. Hank is wondering around the kitchen trying to come
up with a meal. "how about rice and gravy" suggests. Jax hasn't even got on her flight yet and already we're
falling apart without her!

Mum has a curry patty and insists she's not hungry and doesn't want anything else, Hank has rice and a pie and the kids make beef burgers. I'm still full from lunch and make do with nibbles.

Time for our film night and we watch Second Hand Lions and Star Trek. Amazingly mum stays awake for both.

No plans for tomorrow yet we will see what the day brings.

TTFN

Gem xxx