Visitors from the Cold North

My friends L & J came to visit for a week and get away from the cold that is beginning to tighten its grip on New England. We had a great time touring the island and visiting some sights I haven’t seen. Hiking, snorkeling, body surfing, swimming, beach combing, and fossil hunting were just a few of the things we occupied ourselves with. Of course, rum mixed with locally made ginger beer made a nice starter to our tasty evening meals.
Although it is a bit far, a similar agenda awaits anyone who ventures a visit here!

Christmas in Antigua

It was a refreshing change to spend Christmas here in Antigua. The holiday is observed but not at the same level as back in the USA. There is not the push to purchase gifts and one is not inundated with an overwhelming sense of commercialism. I only noticed two houses that were decorated with lights, albeit, one was entirely covered! I spent the day relaxing and visiting Nelson’s Dockyard at English Harbor where champagne is served to the sounds of a reggae band. We then journeyed to a friend’s house for a great meal and a walk through her grapefruit orchards, filling bags of the sweetest fruits I’ve ever tasted.
The absence of familiar traditions and family was made easier by new friendships and warm Caribbean weather.

A Craft Takes Shape Over Willoughby Bay

I think I'm a sensible person. I'm living on an island. There are no cold days that prevent wimps like me from being out on the water like back home in New England. There are incredible coral reefs, mangrove swamps and distant beaches to explore. I love working with my hands. So what do I do? I decide it really is just the perfect spot to begin building another kayak! The stitch and glue 17' Arctic Tern kit arrived last week and, now, with a little vacation time, some help from budding young boat builders, K4 is starting to take shape in my driveway. Stay tuned for construction updates and a launch party!

Island Signs

A few pictures of signs I've captured.

Field Trip!

The last week before Christmas break is a great time to take the class on a hike as their energy and excitement knows no boundaries.  We had a great day climbing up through the rain forest to the exposed summit of Signal Hill.  We endured a few warm rain showers and slid on the muddy trail. Only a small number of my students had done any hiking before so it was a new experience for them.  The usual complaints (“How much longer?”, “I’m tired!”, “My feet hurt!” ) were issued but fell on deaf ears and soon afterward we reached the summit. At the lunch stop, the boys engaged in fishing with their hands in a small pond and couldn’t help getting soaked. On the trip back, I went into principal mode and got angry at two boys who ran ahead ignoring the essential rules of staying as a group. They were lucky they didn’t take one of the many other trails that intersected ours and end up lost in the thorn tree forest. Back at the park at the base of the hill we collected one large garbage bag of litter and replenished our water bottles. The class did have a great time but I don’t think it made a dent in their energy level!

The Land of a Thousand Rainbows

Antigua is known for its 365 beaches; one for each day of the year. But spending time here, one quickly notices the rainbows. During this time of the year, there are daily rain showers that pass over the island. They are small showers only lasting a few minutes as the clouds coming off the ocean get a chance to drop their burdens. The sun is always shining somewhere through the partly cloudy skies and this produces rainbows. You can see three or four every day. They come in different intensities and shapes from a little segment to a complete horizon-to-horizon arc. They're just another thing that makes living here interesting.

Quick Trip Home

It was great to go home and see my family and celebrate the 101 wonderful years my grandmother lived. There was a nice service in the cemetery and a gathering afterward to share memories and visit with cousins, aunts and uncles. The weather in New England did not surprise me providing temperatures in the low 20s with 20mph winds. It was just the thing for my tropically modified blood!