A month of amazing events.........

October is almost over and what a busy month it has been. I expected to enjoy some slow time here on island again but fate had other plans for us all.
The month started well with a birthday party planned for me by the lovely Emily, an amazing cook and my new tennis partner.
My friend Colin asked me to babysit his house and pups here in the Valley and whilst I am not on the water as we are in the North Sound, I am enjoying being with dogs and the close proximity of new friends. We had the party here at Colins and together made a fabulous array of food for our guests. Emily surprised me with a flan topped with fresh mango and a maple syrup glaze. I cannot tell you how delicious it was. The night was warm but calm so the front room was decorated with lots of fresh flowers and candles. About 25-30 people came to chat and enjoy the night with the last gang leaving about 1.30am after we all cleaned up together.

The days at this time of the year are just heaven but hot. You are in a constant sweat! Only the odd storm breaks the heat and we have been lucky with no hurricanes. Whilst there are virtually no tourists in this hot summer "off season" and most restaurants closed for a break, it is a time highly enjoyed by the locals. The beaches are serene without any crowds and the water calmer than ever with incredible visability and warmth. On a daily basis I take the pups down to my favourite Valley Trunk beach which is reached by visiting another stunning beach with the huge famous boulders and snorkelling paradise then climbing up a small hill with a rope some kind person tied there so you can pull yourself up and then lower yourself down again, over more huge boulders fallen into each other. A bushy track leads you through and under trees and Mexican type cactii before you reach this long white picture postcard beach with azure turquoise waters.........it is like a mega huge swimming pool without surf where you can laze and float or do your laps. I do both.........Michelle will remember this magic place that boasts amazing views to other islands and THE place to watch a sunset to die for.

I have FABULOUS news! My daughter Becky rang with the news her AJ knelt on one knee and proposed to her. She said "yes" and the two celebrated their future with a bottle of champagne sitting by Lake Como in Italy. Their huge "BigRide4aReason" is almost over with it ending in London. What these two young people have achieved is nothing short of incredible. They have slept in caves in Iran, experienced extreme temperatures in the Himalayas, survived sand storms and camped amongst ruins 1000's of years old in the deserts of central Asia. All self funded whilst they raised funds to help the 21 million Pakistani flood victims. If anyone still wishes to boost their funding to this cause, Becky is keeping the donation site open for another few weeks. She even got support from Richard Branson from Necker Island even though his own donation site supports this very same cause. They were visiting her grandfather in Munich on the way through to London and was sad I was not there to celebrate their engagement and the end of this arduous journey with all the family together. With my dad coming up to his 84th birthday in December we did not know when we may have all 3 generations together. I said I couldn't go as I had just arrived in the Caribbean some weeks before but I think it took me some 2 minutes after we got off Skype before I was searching for a flight 2 days later.

Whilst I totally supported their big ride and their cause, I must say I am happy its over now. There were a few moments of concern and especially now at the end with the earthquake in Van, Turkey destroying over 2,500 buildings and a huge loss of life. Becky and AJ were stranded in this VERY town for over 3 weeks waiting for bike parts only a few weeks ago........timing, everything in life is timing.

With much joy we all got together and my dad in his usual celebratory form produced 2 cases of bubbly for us to clink glasses together all weekend. We cooked an amazing roast duck dinner with awesome vegetarian accompaniments. Becky and AJ were in Germany for a week where every minute of our precious family time was enjoyed with love and laughter. It is a time we will all never forget. My credit card is still screaming at me from the last minute plane fare but I know deep in my heart that the money will be forgotten but the occasion lasts in our hearts forever. Thank you my darling friend Amanda from home who immediately sent an engagement card for them. We were so touched at your kind thought. The card arrived the day before they left again on the bike. Fabulous timing! Thank you also to my darling buddies who wrote amazing enthusiastic emails of congratulations!! The two left Munich with laughter and tears from our good-byes as they headed for Antwerp, Belgium where they were on the hunt for her diamond engagement ring!


Congratulations my darling Becky and AJ........may your lives be full of the adventures you love, of a lifetime of health and a marriage to come filled with endless moments of joy, support for each other, abundance in every way, strength, understanding, compassion and gorgeous babies. May love always fill your cups and laughter fill your days with smiles on your beautiful faces. I love you both!


I have just arrived back on island after those two unexpected weeks with the family I love. The flights were too long, the lost and then found baggage too annoying, the flight delays exhausting but the time we had was just irreplaceable. I would do it all over again!