We had a gentle stroll around Falmouth Harbour on Boxing day and just generally chilled all day. In the evening we were invited on board Fai Tira for some rum punch’s along with Bionic, Camomile and Enchantress. Then on Sunday we all went to Shirley Heights (the second time for us) for a jump up and a BBQ. It had more of a party atmosphere being Christmas weekend. The rum punch’s flowed as we danced along with the locals to a steel band and later a reggae band and the evening then ended up on Jackamy!

On Tuesday we thought we should venture out of Nelson’s Dockyard so we hired a car along with Susan and David from Enchantress and Susan’s brother and sister in law, Scott and Kathy, who we have gotten to know very well over the last two weeks. On the east coast of the island is Devil’s Bridge and a after a few wrong turns, as nothing is signposted here, we arrived! And it was certainly worth it! Limestone arches are formed by sea water erosion and the area around the arches feature several natural blowholes. This place is not only renown for its beautiful scenery but as a place where slaves, after escaping from their masters, threw themselves into the sea to commit suicide. The large waves bounced them against the rocks and the strong current pulled them under.

We then went on to Harmony Hall, Non-such bay, which is the site of an old suger mill plantation where we had the best pina colada’s we have ever tasted in Antigua. We were kindly given the recipe and now Paul makes a mean pina colada! We ended the day in Half Moon Bay, which is located on the south eastern corner of the island. The pink sand stretches for almost a mile around a curved bay and is reputably one of Antigua’s finest, except the day we visited! There had been a storm at sea which caused the waves to come crashing into the bay bringing a load of debris with it. Any way we set ourselves and the BBQ at what we thought was a safe distance from the waters edge only to be swamped by a wave! So we had to retreat to the car park! Would you believe it, one of the most beautiful beaches and we end up BBQing in the car park! We attempted to swim but getting through the waves was a task in itself. Scott a PE teacher and strong swimmer kitted himself out in snorkel, mask and fins only to be bowled over with his fins facing the wrong direction, resulting in him eventually losing one. A good day was had by all!

Scott and Kathy at Shirley Heights (left)               Dancing with the locals (right)

Me and Paul at Shirley Heights (left)                 Judy, Pete and Horace (88) (right)

Any ailment catered for (left)                 Inmates having a graze (right)

Boxind Day wedding (left)          He must have borrowed his suit (right)

Devil’s Bridge (above and below)

Non-such Bay (left)                         Postman Pat eat your heart out (right)

BBQ in the car park (left)               Scott before he lost his fins (right)

Half Moon Bay