The Last Post!

Well - this is the last message from me for the holiday. The last 2 days have been very hot here in Barbados - 32 degrees - phew!
I went up to Welchman's Gully Park yesterday, which is a bit like a rain forest. It was cool at first but once you trekked inside it was really airless and humid. However - amazingly beautiful. Saw lots of the fig trees that gave Barbados its name. Managed to cool off with some Haagan Daas ice cream! Later I went to Just Grillin' for some lovely grilled dolphin (not Flipper - local name for Mahi Mahi fish).
Today was the Queen's Jubilee flotilla up the Thames - which I saw live on the BBC website. She looked happy. I hope the weather improves tomorrow in the UK for all the street parties. There was one here in Barbados - all the restaurants were doing English food. However, this being my last full day on the island, I went to a very sunny Browns Beach and chilled all day (in 32 degrees!). Sundays are when more locals use the beach so it gets quite lively. I was befriended by Butch the dog (who I forgave for cocking his leg up on my sun bed and gave some water. His owner left him with me while he went in the sea. I think it's my animal magnetism that attracts them!
A very posh yacht moored in the bay and the owners swam in with their belongings in a big plastic bag. Their little dog jumped happily into the sea and swam with them - which gave Butch a play mate. They ended up having a long lunch at Lobster Alive - while I ate my home-made tuna butties. Still - 2 rum punches took the edge off the afternoon and I may be guilty of nodding off a bit.
Now the car is filled up with petrol and the suitcase packed except for what I need tonight and tomorrow. Taking home loads of stuff that I haven't worn (even though my luggage was under weight - spooky!).
Tonight I'm going to Tapas again - lovely place, and easy to get to on foot (and near Haagan Daas shop, if I fancy a detour on the way back!).
Tomorrow I need to set off to the airport at 5pm - so I have more time on the beach in store - bliss.
It has been a lovely holiday - I didn't know how much I needed it until I took it. My head is empty, my muscles relaxed and my batteries charged. I just wish we could take weekends here when we wanted!

So - this is Bajan Katy B checking out.
Have an irie evening,
BKBx

New Tune of the Day!

Good thing about listening to the local radio is you get to hear something Bajan - loved this one from the Bajan singer Red Plastic Bag (yes, really!). It's called 'Miss Universe'

"Miss Fortune and Miss Adventure - in the pageant

Miss Take and Miss Represented - in the pageant

Miss Begotten and Miss Guided - who you gonna vote for?

Miss Universe"

Lol, :-)
BKBx

No idea what day!

But isn't that how a holiday should be in the end?
Well - spent all yesterday on the beach at Lobster Alive. I was their only sunbed customer all day - unheard of! One of their staff kept swimming out to sea and diving around, then coming back to shore for his rum and  coke. Turns out that it is now 'closed season' for the fresh lobster so the tanks are empty (which pleases me, 'cos it always feels cruel). The tanks feed water from the sea and this guy's job is to stop up the pipes to prevent creatures coming to live in them. See - there are all kinds of jobs in the world.

Having been at the beach all day, I myself turned to lobster (ouchie hurtiness!) and so today I am going to the bank without my bra on, to avoid the feel of the straps on the really red bits. How my standards have fallen! I'm currently in the dilemma of how much cash I need to the end of the holiday - I'm not sure I can work it out without my brain....which is on holiday elsewhere!

Today is very overcast so I won't be tempted to hit the beach. Maybe a good day to head for the wild East Coast. That would involve getting dressed I guess - and given that it is 9.45am, probably time I got moving!
BKBx

Chat up of the day (Thursday)

Philip 'Do you have a phone in your room? (yes) Can I get the number? (no) Can I give you my number? (no) Oh.'
Just because I minded his flip flops while he went down the beach and back, I'm staying aloof!

Tune of the Day

John Legend 'We're just ordinary people'

Tuesday already?

Have become a very lazy person - chilled to the bone! Spent yesterday on the patio here at the apartments (where I continue to be the only guest - so it is now my private detached condo by the sea, if anyone asks!). 
I would have been just as lazy today but the weather had other plans. First thing it was breezy and hot (30 degrees). I called at the pharmacy then came straight back to change my top (which kept blowing round my ears!). I don't think the Bajans are ready for my white bits to be on display!
So, headed out for a second time and went into Bridgetown to look at duty free stuff. I really want a piece of jewellery with a stone the same colour as the blue-green of the sea. Found that some emeralds come up pale and bluish - then found some earrings for $100 US  - but didn't buy. Went into Columbian Emeralds and was helped (by a beautiful guy called Dave) to try on several pieces that I can't afford! A diamond and emerald ring versus a diamond and emerald necklace. One £820 and one £620.Amazing salesman as he was, I told him it was head v. heart on this one and I really do need to save for a new kitchen. I have 5 days to win the lottery or marry a millionaire and then go back and find Dave for a shopping spree!
Headed out of Bridgetown for Holetown to the new posh mall 'Lime Grove'. too posh for me and full of posh white people showing off - so I beat a hasty retreat and went into 'Just Grillin'' - just as the downpour hit - and boy did it hit! By the time I went back to my car it was in several inches of water, so I had to take of my sandals and wade to it! Just call me Mrs Noah. Ha ha, reminds me of home. 
Once in the car, I found the temperature had dropped to 22 degrees (Bajan version of chilly). I started heading home but the traffic was bad so I detoured to Earthworks Pottery for a coffee and a slice of banana loaf - and jolly good too! Traffic still pants but not as big pants as earlier - so home for 4pm ish - and temperature on the rise again as the rain has stopped. Must remember to wash my feet from the barefoot wading!
No chat up or tune today - no beach lolling either. If the clouds pass I'll have more to report tomorrow.
BKBx 

Ok - missed a day's posting but was seriously chilling (well, it is the weekend!). I'm becoming a regular at Browns Beach and the sunbed man is now starting up conversation with me like I'm an old friend.

Celeb Watch!

I'd just walked up to the bar in Lobster Alive and the bar woman (who isn't a smiler, it has to be said) was beaming! The focus of her attention wasn't me - it was a pair of very high turquoise shoes on an incoming diner. Turns out the feet in question belonged to a very slim Cilla Black! And me there in my cossie! I beat a hasty retreat to my sun bed then kicked myself. Prime opportunity to plant the seed of her singing Britain's entry for Eurovision next year! I think we need to start a campaign.

Chat up of the Day

Name unknown "seeing you smile makes me feel happy". Awe - that's a really cute one.

Tune of the Day

Gabrielle "I'm ready to rise again".

 Dinner venue decision again - went for the Chinese the other night and it wasn't brilliant. Still, due to lack of customers there wasn't any steelpan downstairs either, so that wouldn't have worked out any better.
So - a little time on my hands - could write a ditty for Cilla!
BKBx 

Due to deliberate overdose of raspberry medicine, my prickly heat is on the retreat but I've become a bit of a zombie for the day! I'm working on the assumption that if it's a kids' medicine and extra teaspoon is ok. I'm now worried that it's a form of Ritalin.
Hence - sat on the balcony chilling before driving up to Earthworks pottery place for lunch with Hendy. He'd recommended the fish cakes up there - home made by the new owner of the cafe. They are fab - hot, crispy and light! yum!

I headed back early and thought I'd drive via Bridgetown for a change. Big mistake! Loads of traffic, a new one way system that relies on clairvoyance to decide which lane you should be in. Thank goodness there is still respect for the tourist in an 'H' reg hire car! (well, may not be respect, could be a case of giving us a wide berth!).

So - arrived back at HQ and chilled a bit more, more medicine, then a nap. Currently sitting on the balcony sipping a coke and debating

1. Lazy option for dinner - Bistro Monet downstairs plus steel pan duo
2. Chinese at the roundabout near St. Lawrence Gap.

Oh - the worry of making the right choice!

Chat up of the Day

None - 2 days on the run now. Still, I'm going to Browns beach tomorrow so things are bound to improve. No wimple for me just yet!

Tune of the Day

Train "Everything is groovy. They don't like it sue me"

BKB x

Day 3 and an overcast start to the day. Sun was in but my prickly heat was out! So - off to chemists to find that my preferred cure is now only available in liquid form because it's for children! So -I'm knocking back something that has that sweet raspberry taste that reminds me of being little.
I've spent the day wandering the west coast in the car - and spending millions of dollars in my head on property and jewellery. However, I'm feeling pretty virtuous because....

1. I didn't buy anything
2. I had a salmon salad for lunch and left half the bread
3. I am wearing trousers that I haven't been able to get into for 2 or 3 years!

None of the above are likely to last the holiday - but they feel good today - celebrate the small stuff, eh?
Had my first Bajan lemonade today - with a twist - ginger added. Lush! Now drinking my first Banks beer of the holiday and trying to cool off.
Hendy is calling in to see me later. We had a chat on the phone andhe says business is slow. He's a batik artist and relies a lot on the tourist trade and, of course, the island is so quiet at the moment. I went down to St. Lawrence Gap last night ('Cruisin' the Gap') and it was dead! I had decided to try a restaurant I've never been to before but it was closed...so found another I've never tried (Harlequin). Lovely squash soup and a seafood crostini. Couldn't resist Bajan Lime Pie - I would have resisted if I'd seen it before ordering; it was Kermit green. Tasted ok but looked radio active! Not sure where I'll eat tonight - maybe just pop downstairs to Bistro Monet - although should save that for Friday because they have a steel pan band on. I'm not that into steel pan but I'll have to hear it anyway so may as well be there! I'm the only guest in the apartments until weekend - so I am rattling around here on my own. Just me and the security man Tyrone.
Right - need a shower and a plan for the evening. Ta ra for now.
BKBx

Tune of the Day

Gotye 'Now you're just somebody that I used to know'

Chat up of the Day

None! Losing my touch! I'm obviously a South Coast Gal not a West Coast one! 

Managing to stay awake so far today - hooray! Brownes beach was amazing, as usual. The sea is so beautiful, like walking into liquid glass. Wednesday is the day that the cruise ship comes in, so the beach was full of people with the same towels and the same view on not paying for anything because they are paying for the ship! So - business-wise, watersports were the thing today - just not my thing!
So, planning to out out for dinner somewhere close by tonight. I'm not in the mood for anything that takes more effort than putting on casual clothes at this stage - who needs the hassle?

Chat up of the Day

This one goes to Anthony (yes, another rasta called Anthony) who says I have a baby face because I have no wrinkles. I'm thinking of starting a charity to help him buy a guide dog.

Chat down of the Day

Guy in a boat asked me if I was alone or had a man back home. On hearing I'm single he asked what about being lonely? I said I don't get lonely....so he asked me if I was a nun! Hmmm - mental note, do not go swimming in a wimple!

Purchase of the Day

Sandwich from Subway. Boy do those shop staff have attitude! Still - good butty (or as the Bajans say, "Good cutter").

Tune of the Day

They Might be Giants "Make a little birdhouse in your soul, and while you're at it, leave a night light on inside the birdhouse in your soul"

Well - totally conked out last night! You know how you get off the beach and have a shower then have a lie down? Well I woke up at 10.30pm! Oops - no dinner for me then! I had a drink and a read of my book then conked again - a further 9 hours. So - I guess the batteries were pretty low and they are on rapid recharge! My hair look awesome this morning - think of when Monica from friends went to Barbados! Medusa minus the snake heads!
So - I'm off to Browns Beach today in search of calmer seas (Accra was very choppy yesterday). I will report back in due course - if I stay awake!
BKB x

Chat up of the Day

Freddie - bless. Chat's me up every visit. Now he's split with his girlfriend too - so invited me to his house to watch New Avengers film.

Purchase of the Day

Ring in the shape of a turtle - with moving arms and legs!

Music of the Day

Faithless....."You don't need eyes to see, you need vision"

Ok - so I just lazed on the beach all day, but I do have news...
1. Sad to report that Chicken George has died -Accra Beach's purveyor of, well, chicken.
2. Today the lifeguards had to save an old man who was drifting out to sea. Afterwards they played in the sea to celebrate and later played pingpong. All in a days work.
3. Toothless rasta Anthony has found love in Germany and has moved there. Had to rent an umbrella from Junior instead.
4. Reggae Lounge has been sold to David, owner of David's Place (which he has closed down).

See - busy, busy , busy!

Day 1

Dear All (assuming anyone reads this!).
Today I woke up and decided to do something new - so have become a blogger! Could have been something worse, like becoming a jogger (plenty of those on the beach at the moment). Think I might go down there with a defibrilator - could be a nice little earner!
Well, day one of hols and good to be here in Barbados. Sun out, sea blue, breeze warm - sounds ok to me. I can already feel shoulder muscles relaxing so it's been worth the trip.
Now - I'm off to tackle what my blog page looks like - not sure how I do that yet, but determined to try! Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
Love, BKB x