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