Christmas Week in Bermuda

Intermittent rain marked the passing of the festive days and has continued into the whole week, unfortunately but not surprisingly, as the whole of the Northern Hemisphere seems to be suffering from snow storms and miserable weather!. Here the temperature remains at about 20C but on the colder side and it has been windy. Most of the rain seems to be occurring overnight, so Ian has been able to explore.

We spent a quiet Christmas, cooking the gammon and lots of vegetables and were able to sit outside. Afterwards we went and explored Admiralty Park and Spanish Point - 2 areas that I don't know at all well. The former is an area where both soldiers and smugglers holed out in a series of caves and there is a rock that everyone jumps off. There is also an area where the feral cats are fed on a regular basis as well as a small harbour that is used by the scuba divers. 

At the entrance to the main cave which is both big and relatively dry

Holes is the rocks give views either to crystal clear water below or cloudy sky above!

There are numerous feral cats which are fed in the various parks - someone expressed the feeling that they are being fed too much as the rat population is on the increase!

Spanish Point is another picnic area and forms the eastern outcrop that frames the edge of the Great Sound and gives a good view of the Dockyards which edges the Western side.

Catching the rainbow on one of the small islands

Looking out over the Great Sound to the Dockyards

One of the best parts about driving around over these days, has been that the roads are very quiet, mainly because very little was open, even on Boxing Day. We chose to scooter down to the western end of the island, stopping off at Scaur Fort, Lefroy Bay and then wandering round a very quiet dockyard.

The wooden bridge that takes you onto -I think, Hospital Island. It now houses a direlict building, which Ian discovered used to be the slave wash-house. The building on the main island which used to be the contagious diseases hospital is now used for dementia patients

The water below the bridge

At the doorway of the old wash-house

We drove onto the pier where the cruise ships dock  and wandered round an almost deserted Dockyards, had a fish lunch and then headed back to Hamilton on the ferry. There is place for the scooters and one is charged the same as a passenger for them!

I have been at work since Wednesday. It has been rather quiet, though there have been a couple of patient's who have kept me busy - because of the cold spell, a number of the sickle cell patient's have been having painful crises, requiring admission and maybe transfusion!

In the meantime, Ian has been exploring Bermuda, though he has found the weather, more than a little challenging as it has been intermittently cold, windy and wet with some humidity thrown in! He is also finding the terrain more challenging to run on than the flatness around Cambridge but has coped with the narrow roads.

Ian's explorations:

 He has run down to the Blue Hole and had a swim in it - which was extremely salty plus explored the area round there 

Done the tour of the Crystal and Fantasy caves which is a must

Explored the unfinished church in St Georges

And explored St David's and some of the forts there

Friday night we moved from the housesit. It has been fun and I have enjoyed having a full kitchen to cook in, with various spices and herbs at our disposal. We have seen far more of the cat than expected - she tends to announce that she is around for food, but as she is feral, tends to disappear if she sees you. However I have been allowed to stroke her and yesterday, I came home to find her on my bed! It must be chilly!

  Clemmy enjoying home comforts!

Our plans for Saturday have been put on hold as it is pouring, so I am doing the blog!!!!

We were due to go out on the boat from Somerset with Alick and Helen Bush, and Barbara and Paul Boyle to hopefully do some snorkelling, though I suspect it may be chilly. This will hopefully happen tomorrow!!!

There is little planned for NY's eve but I suspect we will be out and about, on our scooters finding new places to explore

So all the best to you for a wonderful 2018

Love Maureen and Ian

Christmas in Bermuda part1

Christmas Day 2017 has arrived! I still feel as though I am in April and am not sure what has happened to all the intervening days! Time certainly does  speed up, or should it read 'down' on this side of the age curtain!

Apart from waking up to rain today, with some on Thursday as well,  the weather is much like a Cape Town winter – though with much more rain!!!! – even with sunrise being after 7h00 and sunset being round about 17h30. Temperatures are round about 20C though more chilly than that sounds, but remains pretty humid, so any movement results in a sweat!

It was quite funny starting work on Wednesday 20th, as it was my last day of work last year.Tayo handed over a list of ongoing concerns – not very long as a lot of people are on holiday and then left for Nigeria via Atlanta.

Ian has been working this last week, so has been waking at 05h00, in order to be able to contact the office in the UK, but has been finishing in the early afternoon so has started some exploring. 

     A view from the Gibbs Light House

    Sunrise on one of Ian's runs

On Wednesday afternoon, he came to the hospital and I showed him around, before we walked into Hamilton. On Thursday, the rain cleared enough in the afternoon for him to explore towards Gibbs lighthouse, though he got a little lost and ended up somewhere else!!!! He is finding the winding, narrow, undulating roads rather challenging to run along, but they are a lot quieter than usual so he should be fine. We collected 2 x single scooters on Thursday afternoon. I had entertained the idea of getting 1x double but was informed that it would be too heavy for me, so we each have our own. It is a lot easier this time around for me, and Ian is fast getting the hang of it! My bruises are a lot less, but I still struggle to set off!!!

On Wednesday night, we went to a Christmas dinner with a number of the people I have met and it was great for Ian to meet them. A couple of them will be over in the UK over Christmas, so we will not see them again. I decided to take a taxi to the dinner, as although the Bushes are on the bus route, there is a winter service in place and I wasn’t too sure of the running times. Luckily we got a lift back afterwards. 

On Friday evening there was a “Festival of Lights” at the Botanical Gardens, which is right next door to the hospital, so we wandered there after work and looked at the sights after a cocktail on the water's edge.

    I found a green man!

    Sunset from the cocktail deck

 On Saturday morning we hopped on the scooters and took a scenic route to St Georges, and joined the walking tour. It is a UNESCO heritage site and the town is very proud of this. Everyone gets involved and we had one of the town councillors as our guide,which was great as I got a totally different perspective. Ian was one of the strong arms chosen to help with the dunking of the town gossip afterwards!

   The dunking team!

We then set off for Tobacco Bay via some of the fortifications. The sea, as in CT has taken on a winter roughness and has a totally different feel to it. It is also a lot colder, at about 19C, so was not as inviting as earlier in the year, plus the visibility was less but we had a fun time snorkelling and saw a number of fish including the colourful parrot fish. 

    Tobacco Bay

The other difference in winter is that swathes of seaweed get washed up on the beach. It is very different from our 'kelp' as it is much drier and sticky with small sacs on the end. Walking on it feels like walking on a pot-scourer! 

   Pot-scourer sea weed!

On our way home, we stopped off in Hamilton, which was humming, to shop for food, including the gammon, plus wool! The evening ended with a braai. 

On Sunday I made some yummy mince pies and we set off for Horseshoe Bay. We walked along the South Shore coves to Warwick Long Bay. Ian was quite adventurous and tried to work from cove to cove, but had to give up as the tide was coming in. We neither of us felt like swimming as it was a bit rough so went for a fish lunch instead. I came home and he went to explore Admirality cove. I sat on the porch and watched the sunset!

 Me trudging along the beach - have to carry everything off the scooter as the storage space is not big

Today is a little miserable. Ian went for a run and turned back but it out again exploring. The gammon is cooking and all is well

A number of the photos are Ian's, with his permission!

Tomorrow there is Harness Pony Racing so we will go and investigate and then Wednesday  it will be back to work for me, but Ian will be on holiday so will be exploring

Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas

Love Maureen and Ian

UK in Autumn

JIt has been quite a welcome contrast weather wise in that the temperatures have dropped into the teens and I do better in the cold! Heavy rain has been forecast but has not occurred and our forays haven't been dampened by the occasional showers. Our plans have changed numerous times but it has been fun.

I have been staying with Carol, my cousin, twice removed! ( my paternal grandmother and her maternal grandmother were sisters!). Carol moved to the UK 30 years ago and has settled in The Daventry area, which is probably one of the most central points in the UK with Northampton being the biggest city about 10 miles away. We have used her flat as a base and have taken trips out every day through  and to the various small villages scattered around the countryside.

Arriving at Gatwick for me wasn't too strenuous though there was a little excitement at the Bermuda airport as the fire alarm kept going off - the airport was being evacuated as I arrived and then we were hurried out of departures! The flight over was very empty so I had 3 seats to sleep on, so got a little sleep. However Carol had decided to fetch me from Gatwick. Her trip down went well until they closed the motorway so her trip trebled in time and she only collected me at 10h. We worked out that I probably flew less than she drove, in time!!!!

By the time we made our way back, the roads were less congested and the promised rain had not materialised. We made our way to the local pub next to the canal and enjoyed brunch next to the canal. I decided to have an English Ale but didn't appreciate that it was at room temperature! 

We spent a quiet evening, catching up and then on Friday went wandering through some of the local villages, there is probably one every 3 miles, each seem to have a pub and a church but are beautifully peaceful, in rolling green fields with masses of trees and along very narrow, twisting roads, with even narrower bridges! Very quaint!

Carol has a bird feeder which I sat and watched and tried to photo but without much luck!

We stopped at a 'Capability' Brown laid landscape with the man-made lake, copses of trees and rolling grasslands. This sheep decided to make friends and wouldn't leave till I scratched it's head! The swans were not quite as friendly and I made a hasty dash for the car.

We stopped at "The Granary" for lunch. It is very much a destination wedding venue, with the chapel above the tearoom. There were some fun teapots on display

Next stop was the pub in Ashby St Ledgers. The Gin and Tonic was a lot better than the ale. I rather liked the tonic bottle. The heads  on the wall were made of basket weave.

On Saturday we set off for the Cotswolds and stopped at the Slaughters villages and enjoyed a wander through an art display and the village.

Then it was on to Bourton on the Water where we wandered around the model village of the village, which has another model village within it, all made of the local stone.

The model village ........

With the miniature within the miniature!

We found a number of fun shops and Carol bought quite a few Christmas presents and I got some stuff for home and then found another tea shop with yet some more teapots, hanging from just about everywhere and placed on all available surfaces!

We had planned to sleep out but decided that as we were less than an hour from home, to head back to our own beds!

Sunday, we set off for Blenheim Palace, not realising that there was a half marathon there, so the place was packed. Luckily we arrived as most of the runners were leaving and spent a very enjoyable couple of hours wondering through the rooms and exhibits. It is an amazing place on a huge scale with gardens that stretch for miles!

A row of oaks dropping their autumn leaves

The gates to the palace - we went in through the back entrance!

Carol on the parade grounds in front of the main doorway leading into the palace!

Looking up into the portico of the main doorway - these eyes look down on you!

Monday and Tuesday were spent visiting Hobbycraft in Northampton and then wandering in Leamington Spa. We also had breakfast at Skylark, where the hens could truly be called free range, as the picture below shows - and this was only a very small percent of the hens wandering around clucking very happily. Apart from chickens and eggs, the farm also hosts weddings, has a restaurant and grows Christmas trees, which the hens seemed to be roosting in as well!

I have now joined Ian in Cambridge, which is very much more suburban! We are catching up, going to explore Cambridge and London together as he has taken a couple of days leave and will take in a few shows. We will also be planning our time in Bermuda over Christmas.

Writing the blog on an iPad is not quite as easy as on a computer as it is impossible to move things, but it is done!

Go well

Next one may be quite delayed!

Bermuda - final week

We are still here.
While the Caribbean is being bashed around, on Friday morning, we had almost no wind so the reflections on my way to work were impressive.

Reflections!!!!!

Some more clouds - at sunset!!!!

On Friday it was "Mad Hair Day" on the island. PALS, which is the palliative care service is the charity that was 'sponsoring' it and getting the donations. The lab as you can see, from the photos below, really got into the mood. A couple of people did their hair-piece at home with ribbons and wigs and such, and the rest of us had our hair spray painted. The really fabulous idea - was to use pipe cleaners and wrap the hair around it. The one girl looked like a Dr Seuss character. Much fun was had by all!! Oh, and of course, being pathology, there was a feast afterwards!!!!

At least half the laboratory participated - didn't see any evidence of participation in the rest of the hospital, which was a bit sad -  we have a rather enthusiastic crew!!!!! 

First thing on Saturday, I had to come to the hospital to sort out a patient. I had been woken at about midnight, with a blood transfusion problem and eventually decided to contact the doctor in casualty myself. I asked the tech for the name, and he struggled, eventually stating' the doctor is a foreigner'!!! This from the Philippino  tech to the South African doctor on the island of Bermuda!!!!

I needed to come in to try and sort out a plan of action! I then scootered into town for some more wool as I have finished my blankets, oh, and some food!!!

Clearwater beach looking towards St David's and the light house. The water was amazingly clear, but interestingly, is definitely colder than when I arrived!

I then was taken down to Clearwater Beach and Cooper's Island, by Nicole, who is in charge of the venesection squad. This is one of her favourite spots on the island and I soon understood why. For a long time this area, on the east side of the island, was 'occupied' by the American army and there was even a NASA tracking station, but many of the buildings are now direlict - not used by the Bermudan government, as they weren't built to the local code. The area also for a long time has been a nature reserve so it has not been over-commercialised or heavily built up

                  On Cooper's Island looking out to the South Shore - the sea was quite churned up.

                              Captured in front of one of carved out rocks!

I unfortunately forgot my snorkel, but there was quite a current and the water was a little murky - it just means that I will have to go back again!!! We had a few lovely swims, in between lazing on the sand and then realised that the weather was changing as this rather threatening cloud arrived!!

Of course, we ended up at the ice cream parlour on the way home - interesting eating ice cream in the heat  - had forgotten how quick one needs to be!

On Sunday, I awoke with the gastro bug that is doing the rounds, so spent a very quiet morning, catching up with household chores, such as washing, plus, of course, started baby blanket no 3!!!

I had to go down to Horseshoe Bay in the afternoon, on the scooter, for my last swim. The ride down was great, and I even managed  to pass my first scooter!!!!! but the water was very choppy and the wind was whipping up the sand, but I got in and had a swim. I then, rather sadly, delivered the scooter back to the rental company, though, I did pass an accident on my way there, so possibly not a moment too soon!!! We will make further use of scooters, Ian and I when we return to the island over Christmas!!!

This was Monday's sunrise - spectacular!! I am going to miss my present morning ritual of coffee on my patio looking out to the south-east of the island, watching the birds and the sunrise.

My last day of work is tomorrow, I handover at 4pm and then catch the plane to Gatwick at 8pm and then my UK holiday starts! I will be spending the first week with my cousin, Carol and we will be exploring! Not quite sure where, but it will be fun. I then join Ian in Cambridge on the 4th and we spend my birthday weekend together - probably taking in a few shows........ and then home. I arrive on 9th October.
I am not sure whether I will blog in the UK! If not, I am sure I will have some more Bermuda adventures to report over Christmas.
I will have wifi intermittently, so please keep your news coming.