A 'hice' in English Harbour

In December 2007 Ali and Charlie (seen here on the beach) found a house in English Harbour, Antigua that was too big for them and asked us if we could help them out by taking part of it

So we had to drag ourselves away from the start of the English winter - to this!!
































The 'hice' from the beach (left) . The house from the far end of English Harbour (right)

Jacky and old anchor

A juicy line in bugs, These were at least 6" long, just outside the house.

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Four shots of the house from the inside (right) an elegant ceiling fan and (left) the double verandah looking out to sea

(Above) The beautifully furnished living room.

(Right) The memsahib seemingly on the throne!!

Below - Mr and Mrs Nelson - a must in the English Harbour Museum

End of English harbour

O J's

Through the rain forest on Antigua's west cost to an empty beach - and what was to become a theme for the winter 'no people'.

G and J pose under the fishing net festooned beach restaurant bar O J's

Jacky poses with a bottle of Lanson (left), then with a glass of wine (right)

......and this is what she was waiting for

A rain storm gathers and goes through to the south

Still no people!! Great

There has to be golf

A BIT DULL

It only looked a bit dull but the local in the pro shop said 'give it a few minutes' so we did and he was right!

Finally it brightens up and G watches J getting ready for action

SPROUTING TEES

A novel parting shot from Antigua, the tee markers were painted coconut shells.....in this case (foreground) starting to convert into a palm tree!!.

BVI and Treasure Isle Hotel makeover

4 million dollars later!

Two years after selling the Treasure Isle Hotel we went back to see how it was getting on with its new owners. This is what it looked like when we left it. The yellow lined area is where a conference centre and new restaurant was planned.

The following shots show what $4m have done to it

AVOIDING DROPPING CASES ON SUNBATHING PUNTERS
Punters used to check in alongside the pool under the red cover to the right but now use the new area under the table and chair section on the far side of the pool. This prevents cases and bags being dropped on snoozing sun bathers as was the case in the old days.





ONES MONUMENT TO SUCCESS

This is the view of the new Treasure Isle Hotel from Village Cay in the town centre. A fine statement of achievement for the new owners as long as they can fill 250 rooms at $250 a night on an island with a population of 25,000 (Sour grapes!)

In someways an even more impressive view through the Moorings / Sunsail charter fleet from the east side of Road Bay

Two shots (below) show the new covered drive in reception with "Miami pillars" looking out over the marina and (right) the entrance. The cast is the author, next to Romney Penn the new owner who it is reputed has spent $4m doing it up, Al Henley, Garth's ex partner and Ashley Ritter (left) who has made millions from excavation and owning a tarmac factory

Final shot of Cane Garden Bay from Garth's ex partner's "Big Banana" beach restaurant before leaving for home.

Mississippi delta? You can't be serious!

We are serious! About 1500 miles out of the way from the normal BVI LGW run because the American Airlines flight from BVI to Antigua aborted on take off and was then cancelled. We and 29 other px missed the Antigua to LGW flight and then returned via various US gateways the next day. Ours was Dallas!!!! I hoped we would cross the US Gulf coast somewhere near the delta and sure enough we crossed right over it - and in reasonable visibility. A nice final twist.

A half decent Chateau Lafite

About five years ago Caroline bought me a bottle of

Chateau Lafite 1997. I was delighted to receive a bottle of one of only twelve wines in Jancis Robinsons "Great Wine" book

The label in her book was identical to that on Caroline's bottle and it was great just having it around. But we couldn't drink it until late 2007. So when Carolines birthday arrived in November we decided it was a great opportunity to put it to the sword


Garth opens with anticipatory grin

The cork looks (and smelled) fine.

The nectar is carefully decanted into a claret jug

Jacky swirls it gently in a large tulip glass Garth follows with a serious look

Nearly ready to taste

Note orange meniscus of a moderately old wine (ten years)

Garth tastes.

Judgement - not kepy very well. It had been shown to people and moved house and generally not been kept motionless.

Nice label pity; about the taste

Despite the disappointing taste Jo's camera elegantly finishes off a 'fine' wine experience.

THE END

A Quick post New Year Ski January 2008

Garth Jacky and Jo spend a few days ski ing in Flims, near Klosters in Switzerland in early January 2008

Tolerable weather!!!

Best snow for years

Fair scenary

Below - not too crowded - Look carefully to see G and J 'hurtling'!! down the slopes!!

Cool dude ..................................................and dude a bit less cool carrying selection of head gear ___________________________________________________________________

Jacky arrives in a flurry ......................................................................... and with that smile

.....but where is everybody......

There were people about - take this chap sitting in the sun on a ski lift gantry - and this colourful ski school.

Jo also fights the crowds - first thing in the morning

Jo after snow job

Jo warms up in the sun................................................. Garth warms up with a soup dunk

Below snow border comes to grief - Flims is an international centre for snow boarding

Helicopter arrives to collect the body!

Towards the end of the day shadows in the sunset

And after burning the slopes a quick stop at the local illuminated igloo! left for a wee bevvy.

Followed by a gentle loll in the hotel spa and finally -

one way of getting your hair curly - the hotel's outdoor with snow swimming pool!!

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THE END