Week 1 Villa

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 28 Mar 2020 23:57
Our First Week in Sleeping Indian
 
 
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The first order of the day was do de-fluff the skipper – here seen half way.
 
Tuesday the 24th of March. Bear went off to see Ronda about Beez insurance, Melissa to find out why the TV has no channels despite paying a monthly subscription, Sha to book me a hair appointment in the morning and Pineapple to hire a car for the morrow. He came back with marginal successes but booked me in for a hair cut at ten. The rest of the day was spent in Bear bringing in stuff from Beez and me cantering about on the washing machine. All new towels washed, fluffed in the dryer and put away. All new bedding ditto and beds made up.
 
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Wednesday the 25th. I woke and decided to give the local birds a treat and made them up a plate of goodies, a drink bowl and a candle to nibble – they like that as it aids nest building. Within minutes the grackles, bullfinches and common ground doves were forming an orderly queue. The bananaquit waited until the initial rush was over but the grey kingbird was too nervous and watched the goings on from Beez rigging.
The morning flew with a video call from Miff, Rachel and boys who firmly told us to stay put. It was wonderful to hear from them but so sad to hear all that is happening, virus-wise in the country. Soon we were bimbling toward the hairdresser. Bear went off with his list and initially headed for the boatyard to find Ashley the rigger. Sha (hairdresser) hadn’t changed a bit since I last saw her in 2009 and when Bear came to find me with a shake of his head about the hire car, the lovely lady offered us hers for free. Of course we will pay her.
Off we went, first to a bike shop – Bear will be visiting Beez in the boatyard frequently and asked if he could have one. Yes, but it will be for your birthday, it would be delivered assembled new from the box with a softer seat, lock and small shopping basket.
Next, DIY shops where Bear bought bits and I bought paint. I left him at the wood yard and went to find the garden centre (wrong words) but there was a general shop where I found a dustpan and brush. Bear found me and said the wood would be delivered tomorrow, then looking for Courts we found Ashley and Gigi where we fell for a charcoal leather three seater, a two seater and one seater IF we can get them through the front door. We also like a patio table and chairs and four loungers to replace the two odd ones we currently have.
 
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Back in time for Bear to sit on his birthday present.
 
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In the general store I had bought the birds a seed bell that I unwrapped to find many resident weevils, all on a plate and soon the first lady was tucking in. This will clearly be a one off judging by the mess......
 
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Thursday the 26th. So very lucky for us that Chris and Steve (Scott-Free) needed a place to stay and moved into apartment in Plymouth this morning, such a huge relief that it is being used and not left empty, cannot thank them enough.
First job for me was to go on line and check the dimensions of the suite (now I have fallen in love with it – fingers crossed), I need thirty-two inches, with the front door removed I have thirty-one and a half. On the telephone to Cassandra who looked after us yesterday. She rang back saying once the feet were removed all was well. So there and then it was ordered along with the patio set and loungers. Time to raise a cheque from the villa management. 
Bear brought more ‘stuff’ off Beez who has visibly gone up in the water. Iain, the builder came round to look at the patio decking (in a poorly way) and to talk about the new stainless steel and wire stair ‘fence’, balcony and patio front we would like to replace the heavy, dark wood. Seems pointless to us to have a fantastic view blocked so much and it would a bit more modern. Iain gave us a couple of villa numbers to go across the fairway in Baby Beez to have a look. The rest of the day flew by and late afternoon Bear asked if it was spuddle time. I was in Baby Beez quicker than I could say affirmative.
 
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Bear had turned the sonic ‘clicker’ off to save energy when the St Helena alternator had failed in the belief that at speed the barnacles wouldn’t get a chance to grab Beez bottom. I had disagreed at the time and now took a picture to show the silly me. 
 
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Across to North Finger we found the two villas Iain had asked us to visit. Like the stainless steel and wires very much and also the paleness of the deck (ours is so very dark). Just as we were talking to a couple next door the mobile chimed, Bear’s wood was sitting in a lorry by the security gate, “no deliveries after five”.
 
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Passing the villa with Beez resting outside, the first time the sun has come out today. Bear dropped me by the path leading to the far gate and I ran ready with selling skills and a cute look. Social distancing once finished, will see me hug the nice guard who let me off “this time”. In the truck and off we went. There is only one size of wood – sixteen feet, so that was laid on the kitchen floor next to Bear’s bike as he hasn’t sorted the little garage yet.
 
Friday the 27th. Two men from Flow (the TV package providers) to put a new box under the bedroom set and as soon as management telephone them we should see new channels. Iain and Vince came round to take measurements but they are very unsure when anything non-essential will get shipped in. We borrowed Sha’s car once more and went to drop cheques into Cassandra, buy Bear a new drill (old Robo burnt out in St. Helena), me more paint and emulsion and do a supermarket shop for fresh goods and milk. We heard that there will now be a curfew in place from 20:00 to 06:00 each day, a sign that things are going to get tighter. There are six cases of the virus here in Antigua, sadly, all brought in on a flight.
 
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Saturday the 28th. Wide awake at 02:30 (UK time 06:30) hope this is not a new habit. Got up and sorted four sacks of towels and four sacks of old bedding for the charity shop that Joyce (our wonderful cleaning lady) has offered to take for us. The mobile chirped and it was Cassandra “could the furniture be delivered today as the shop is closing on Monday and not sure when the next time will be available.” Yes, please. A message to Joyce who will come round with a friend and his lorry. The morning flew by, yet again. Off came the front door, out went the old, suede suite (going to Joyce’s daughter). Odd chair, two loungers and hoover (not used for Joyce). Just then Joyce, her son and friend appeared and lorry stacked. No sooner than they were about to leave than the Ashley and Gigi men came. Talk about timing.
 
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For one minute the lounge looked huge, then in came the new patio table. The old, wooden set is going in the loft in case anything happens to the new set – plan, if necessary, will be to sand and re-varnish should the need arise.
 
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Patio filling with goodies.
 
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Patio set unwrapped and set up.
 
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Bear takes a breather on the new leather three-seater.
 
A whirlwind of a first week came to a close. My All in All had to include the word frustrating merely because we were only going to get Beez ready for going on to the hard, stow some stuff in the villa and fly home on the 7th of April. Tough, as even if we did manage to get a flight we would not be allowed to visit anyone. Sad for us, but a drop in the ocean compared to what is going on all across the world.
Our thoughts are with everyone to stay safe and to stay well – Hugs to you all xx xx.
 
 
ALL IN ALL CRAZY, FUN AND FRUSTRATING
                     ROOMING IN AND BUSY