17:08.963N 062:37.894W

Whisper
Noel Dilly
Tue 26 Mar 2013 16:15
"Nevis - 24th March"

Today has been one of those totally unexpected days.  Two evenings ago we watched a very pretty triple masted boat pick up the mooring next to us whilst under sail.  Everything went perfectly and aided by their little dog, we admired the couples skill .  They had been towing their dinghy and before long they were leaving their boat and coming over to see us.  They initially thought that they had recognised Whisper as a boat previously owned by a friend of theirs. They were very complimentary about Whisper and we returned the compliment to Star.  By the time the introductions were over, we knew that they live here on Nevis and run day charters on their boat.  We chatted for short while before they had to go home.  We were very surprised when we jumped into Rustle at the dinghy dock yesterday after our expedition, to find a note tucked into our outboard engine.  It was an invitation to lunch at Irene and Steve's home (Star).  We called their number (via England) and arrangements were made to pick us up at the dinghy dock at noon today.  

We had absolutely no idea what to expect.  Steve collected us in his ancient 4 x 4 and we were soon out of the town and off the main road and heading up on a single track concrete road.  A few houses dotted the fairly open countryside and after many junctions with either left or right turns it wasn't long before we were bumping our way into the jungle.  Large groups of monkeys and small flocks of sheep moved out of our way and still we were traveling up the mountainside.  We finally turned into the trees on a very narrow rocky drive and after a few yards their garden opened out.  They have the most fascinating wooden home which Steve, who is American built himself, so it is very much an American style, but painted in bright Caribbean colours, basically white but with bright green and pale mauve painted uprights and window frames and shutters.  The doors and windows were all open as they had screens, so the cool mountain air flowed through the open plan house, with its several different seating areas.  Irene, who is English has wonderful artistic flair and their home was full of creative ideas and quite delightful and cosy.  Their dining area was not inside the house but in an open area covered by the veranda above.  A long narrow table with benches on either side was the centre piece with a separate cosy seating area one end and the 'bar' the other end.  We were shown upstairs which just had a large master bedroom with a veranda and a smaller bedroom which was their daughters.  It was the most charming house.  Steve then took us to see his guest house.  We walked through the woods to a glade and there was another smaller wooden house on stilts.  This was equally charming, but on a much smaller scale to the house.  It was a complete apartment of rustic design and again Irene's artistic flair covered every detail.  She had even created open storage out wooden chests stacked on top of each other, it blended in perfectly with the rustic furnishings.  The veranda had stunning views over the forest with glimpses of the sea far below and I noticed a small high round table with two bar stools tucked into one of the corners.  It was lovely and we may well take them up on their offer to stay their sometime! 

We were not the only guests for lunch, they had invited several friends over so it was quite a party with 12 of us seated at their long table.  We had a great time, we were made so very welcome and everyone was interested in our travels and they themselves were very interesting to talk too and full of fun.  One of their single friends gave us a lift back  down to the harbour in his red 2 seater truck!  Noel received the short straw and gallantly took a ride in the back of the truck.  I am hoping that he won't look too battered and bruised tomorrow.  We did enjoy ourselves and once again I am overwhelmed at how hospitable people can be to two complete strangers!  Tomorrow we move on, taking fond memories of Nevis with us.


Photograph: "Star"

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