28 February - Day spent locally

Dark rain clouds around.  Walked over to Jolly Harbour again, this time going past the golf club and out onto the next promontory.  Rain showers as we walked so had to duck under trees or verandas until they stopped.

Back for a dip and game of pool volleyball before lunch in Hemispheres.  Stayed around pool during afternoon apart from another walk to the end of the beach and final swim in the sea as the sun was going down.

Watched the perfect couple competition as part of the evening’s entertainment, funny bit where couples had to burst balloons by sitting on them or squeezing between their bodies.  One lady took flying leap at her husband and knocked him backwards off his chair.

Made way to bed at 10.30, expecting the loud music to stop at 11.  Didn't, replaced by disco, but not too bad.

27 February - SUV Tour

Again waited dutifully at the Security gate for our pick-up at 9.15.  No sign after 15 minutes but reassured  by the security man that we were in the right place and that the pick-up could be a little late. 

By ten we were really doubting we’d be picked up so I walked back to reception who called Chernie the Rep.  He then appeared at security and tried to speak to the driver.  I eventually walked back there to discover that a driver had been and picked up someone else.  Hasty rearrangement to find another driver, who would be there within 30 minutes  -  again Antiguan time.

Eventually set off with Julius who was a great guy and made up for all the delays by keeping up an interesting chatter about all and sundry.  Stopped first at English Harbour and did a brief walk around before a very acceptable roast chicken lunch.  Then walked around the museum with artefacts and information about the history including Nelson’s time here.

Continued on to an old fort site with nice views over the harbour and coast, then on to Shirley Heights for even better views.  Next to Devil’s Bridge where story goes the slaves leapt into the sea to try to escape.

Then to Betty Hope where one of the big sugar plantations had been in the days of slavery and before they gave up sugar production and started on tourism.

Quick stops at a church with roof like a boat,

and the Viv Richards cricket stadium where England will play West Indies in April.

Bit of a deluge as we drove back to Jolly Beach where we’d booked in at Lydia’s Restaurant for a change.  Met the American couple we’d befriended earlier and had an interesting chat to them as we ate the fishy/seafood offerings.  Deluge again, stopping in time for the limbo dancer  / fire eater performance.

26 February - Trip on Mystic

Bit windy but waited dutifully at 9.15 for the pick-up for the day On Mystic.  No sign of anyone so eventually asked at reception.  Turned out the driver hadn't been told we were going but then set off immediately.

Throngs of people coming off the four cruise ships in St Johns, all heading for the market and a bit of bartering.  Some joined our trip, which set off promptly, threading its way through the liners.

Headed down the coast, having the various beaches and rich people’s houses pointed out. 

Arrived at Cades  Reef after best part of 2 hours and togged up for snorkelling.  Very hard going in the water because it was very breezy and choppy.  Nothing much to see because the reef here was killed by one of the hurricanes.  Some groups of exotic fish in places but not easy snorkelling with the waves filling the tube at times.

Back on board for a good lunch and some very strong rum punches.  Made way back via a swimming beach, loud Bob Marley music and congas around the deck.

Dinner in the Utsav Indian restaurant.

25 February - Easy day

Good sleep.  Usual buffet breakfast then a walk down the beach and up onto the headland at the end.

Back to the resort for lunch, with usual accompaniment of grackles and bananaquits.

Also spotted some small Antillean Crested Hummingbirds darting from blossom to blossom, great excitement!

Played pool volleyball after lunch and used the pool in between swims from the beach.  Went to the Spinnaker restaurant in the adjoining hotel for supper, excellent meal of Dorado, nice surroundings but seats very low relative to the tables, particularly for Hilary.

24 Feb, first full day in Antigua

Not a great night’s sleep but held out until about 7.30.  Went for a quick dip before Hilary got up then to the buffet for breakfast.

Walked along beach turning right, out towards the headland.  Cut in towards Jolly Harbour, walking along the board walk beside the marina.  Back to the resort for a swim and lunch, full menu so tried not to eat too much.  Another swim after before sitting beside the pool and reading/watching the pool volley ball.

Beautiful sunset!

Hilary went for nap afterwards and I grappled with the dodgy Internet for a while.  Back to the trough, staying out until about 10pm, including some pool and table tennis.

23 February - Set off for Antigua

Came down last night, horrible drive because the M11 blocked as we joined it at Duxford after a shunt several miles down.  Then again before the M25 turn-off, another shunt.  Took 2 hours.

Stopped at Clacket Lane for food then checked into Travel Lodge. Second bed not made up, aircon saying filter was blocked so not cooling much from the 25C when we arrived, etc.

Slept ok until the mobile alarm went off an hour early (skiing time|) then were offered a free breakfast as compensation for the room deficiencies.  Didn't take it up.  Took a long time for the car park bus to leave so quite pleased we had been woken up earlier than planned.

Boarded plane ok but about 45 mins delay getting the luggage loaded.  Even so the flight wasn't much overdue arriving in Antigua at about 3.40pm. Flight ok.  Watched Gone Girl and The most wanted man, read a bit and had a bit of a doze.

Delay getting picked up by transfer man but interesting chat to him about the island.  Looked at our Supersaver room but quickly decided it was to poky.  Upgraded to a much better Standard room, also with view over beach,  Good move.

Had walk to get an idea about the resort layout, then had buffet meal and a glass of rum punch, taking advantage of all-inclusive package.

Held out until 9 pm then wound down.