Took a midweek trip, down to Mudeford, for lunch with some friends. The weather was brilliant, blue skies and sunshine. Needless to say, for this time of year, it was crisp and the wind was brisk
Cottages – MudefordMudeford Quay
Fishing boats still land their catch on Mudeford Quay. Their pots and markers are stacked ready for use.
After a warming lunch and a very smooth pint, courtesy of the Haven House Inn, we took a stroll around the quay enjoying the low winter sun as it illuminated the Black House and beach huts over towards Hengistbury Head. A couple of swans were enjoying the sunshine too.
Swans – Mudeford
From the quay there are fine views all around …..
View From Mudeford QuayThe Black House – Mudeford
…… and further along the shore towards Avon Beach you can get fine views across to the Isle of Wight and The Needles.
Isle of Wight & The Needles – Viewed from Mudeford
After a gentle stroll along the prom it was time for a nice hot chocolate at the cafe on Avon Beach before returning to the car and heading for home.
To Avon Beach – From Mudeford
A glorious afternoon spent with good food and good company.
For some days now we have been warned that our road is to be closed for two days. Presumably to fix the surface which has been abysmal for getting on for thirty plus years.
Along with several neighbours, I moved my car off my driveway the night before so that we wouldn’t be stranded during the upcoming works.
The picture was taken around lunchtime. By sunset this evening there was still no sign of any activity.
The yellow sign is the only notification we, the residents, received that any works were planned.
I rang the number shown, only to be informed that the number had been replaced by a new number !!!
For those interested the new number is 0300 555 1388
Eventually I spoke to a very pleasant young lady and I had explained that I have a delivery scheduled. That schedule had taken into account their published road closure. And, since their work schedule seems to be something of a moveable feast, I was concerned that my delivery could be jeopardised. Especially, if the carrier cannot get access to my house driveway. I suspect the carrier may baulk at having to carry my goods a couple of hundred yards. Especially as the multiple packages will be a two-man lift.
I also queried why no leaflet drop had been made informing the residents that they would be stranded for two days. The lady that lives opposite does not go out often and would likely not have seen the sign. Apparently, leaflet drops aren’t always made, but had there been any businesses in our road then there probably would have been one.
So, let’s worry about the businesses but not individuals.
Another thing I was told during the call is that they often allow a day either side of a project schedule and when she checked her system she informed me that the works were actually due to start yesterday. So, in essence, they are two days behind schedule.
Aforementioned pleasant lady informed me that my query/ concern would be forwarded to the engineer responsible for these works. Presumably to come back to me with their plans.
At the time of writing I have received only an acknowledgment email along with a reference number.
Antigua is said to have 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. Although we did visit a number of beaches, we didn’t try to visit all of them. Our visits tended to be towards the later end of the days and deliberately so. Antigua is a popular stop for cruise liners and there is a never-ending supply of tour companies willing to ferry cruise passengers to the beaches.
Antigua – Serenade of the Seas with MSC Armonia
Antigua – Sea Escape (a Looker 350)
Antigua – Serenade of the Seas with MSC Armonia
Antigua – Coral Ark
Antigua – One of the many fun Catamarans plying the island and its beaches
Typically the liners only stop for one day so the passengers only have limited time available to them and since they have to be back on board around four in the afternoon, most of the beaches generally start to empty by three as the tour guides head back to St Johns.
Jolly Beach is a prime example. As you can see, the beach is jammed solid with tourists, not.
Antigua – Jolly Beach
On Jolly Beach,as on most Antiguan beaches, you will find the ubiquitous bar/restaurant. In this case it is called Castaways and here we availed ourselves of some well chilled Wadadli beers and a spot of lunch.
Darkwood Beach
Antigua’s beaches are a superb basis for observing sunsets. Darkwood Beach is especially good for this, especially when one can imbibe an ice cool rum punch or partake of a tasty Goat Curry or perhaps the tenderest Jerk Pork Chop.
Antigua – Sunset from Darkwood Beach
Don’t forget that Rum Punch, Mango Daquiri or perhaps a bog standard G & T, while watching the daily sunset.
Antigua – Coco Beach
The view from Shirley Heights is simply stunning, in all directions.
Antigua – View across Mamora Bay & St James BayAntigua – English Harbour & Nelsons Dockyard
Another quiet beach is West Coast Valley Church Beach, home to The Nest Beach Bar. Again, this is a great place to watch the sun set.
Antigua – West Coast Valley Church Beach
Perhaps I was wrong to call this beach quiet. It was nearly totally devoid of people. However, the folks in The Nest were playing some music, very loud. But that was alright as it was a recording of a reggae based concert which featured a guest appearance by guitarist Carlos Santana.
One word, Superb.
By now, viewing these photographs you must be getting the idea that Antiqua is an awful place to visit. And I will admit that the four of us did mention, regularly, just what a chore it was spending two weeks there.
The bad news is that, during our stay, we failed to observe a truly orange sunset. Which of course means that we may well be forced to go back again and try to capture that classic shot.
Moving briefly away from the beaches, we took a trip down to English Harbour and Nelsons Dockyard. So here are a few more views which include boats
Antigua – English Harbour
Antigua – English Harbour
Antigua – English Harbour
Antigua – English Harbour
Antigua – English Harbour
Perhaps most interesting is the small boat that isn’t in the water.
Antigua – The craft that James “Tiny” Little rowed across the Atlantic
James began his journey on 21st January, 2005 from San Sebastian de la Gomera in the Canary Islands and travelled 3,479 to Antigua. His epic journey took 116 days and he arrived on Antigua 17th May, 2005.
The following shows his daily routine which, if my arithmetic is right, means he was rowing for over twelve hours every day.
Antigua – James Littles rowing schedule
That’s no mean feat especially when he didn’t allow time for a beer. Just reading about it has given me a raging thirst, so here’s a bottle of the local brew.
Wadadli – Antiguan Sunshine In A Bottle
And just for good measure, before I sign out, here are a few more snaps from around Antigua’s shores…..
Antigua – Heading Home
Antigua – Darkwood Sunset
Antigua – Long Bay Beach
Antigua – View of bay near Boxer Shack Beach Bar.
Antigua – Wadadli Cat at Darkwood Beach
Antigua – Long Bay Beach, back from a fishing trip
Antigua – View of beach below Boxer Shack Beach Bar.
Here are a few snaps I took around the Devils Bridge area…..
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
Antigua – Devils Bridge
What the pictures don’t convey is the constant wind blowing in off the Atlantic and the booming of the waves as they collide with rocks and rush under the “bridge”. And this was a relatively calm day.
Devils Bridge, according to local folklore, has a darker side. This is a quote from 104 year old Antiguan, Sammy Smith, from his memoirs “To Shoot Hard Labour”
Have just been to Crookhorn Post Office to post a parcel.
Stood in the queue for only a minute, was two from the counter. The cashier completed serving the lady at the counter and announced that she was going to have to stop serving as there was a task she had to complete by 12:00.
The time, on the Post Office clock was 11:55
The lady in front of me explained that she only had two parcels. This cut no ice with the cashier who just confirmed that she couldn’t take the parcels. I received the same response when I challenged her.
The lady with the two small parcels left, muttering “Unbelievable”, as did I with my single parcel. I was muttering something much stronger.
I took myself off to Waterlooville Post Office where, I had been informed, they were open until 12:30.
I paid the £0.70 for parking and arrived at the doors of the post office to be confronted with a queue snaking its way to 3 cashiers. I joined the queue and waited a few minutes with no movement. I heard someone announce that the post office would close in 20 minutes. I estimated it would take at least 40 minutes, based on the number of folks in the queue, for me to get to the counter. Assuming that each cashier would take a minimum of two minutes per customer. Needless to say, I wasn’t prepared to wait another twenty minutes and then be told they were closing, so I took myself home
Apparently the Crookhorn Post Office is open until 12:30 ????
The following screenshot is taken from this web page The situation is worse when you look at the Post Offices own website which claims the post office is open until 22:00.
In my opinion, if the Post Office publishes opening hours through to 12:00 then they should continue to offer that service right to the wire. If there is a reason why they cannot honour the published hours then please amend the opening times accordingly.
Tuesday morning found us, in Waterloville, up at the ungodly hour of 05:30. Preparing for the taxi that was due to pick us up within the hour. The temperature outside, according to the app on my phone, was -4 degC. This was a small price to pay as we were on our way to Antigua where, all the weather sites told us, the temperatures were going to be around 30 degC.
The taxi duly arrived, carrying the friends that were to accompany us on our latest adventure. We, and our luggage, were soon loaded to the taxi and we were on our way to Gatwick, South Terminal. A bite to eat for breakfast, some retail therapy and we were soon sitting aboard one of Sir Richards finest, a glass of prosecco in hand, waiting for the off. We were soon wheels up and on our way. I have to say that crossing the atlantic is a lot easier than flying down to Oz
After an uneventful flight we arrived in Antigua and what a shock the temperature difference was. As soon as we exited the plane into the jetway all of the thirty plus degrees made their presence felt. So far so good. All we had to do was navigate our way through customs and immigration and then find our taxi for the journey to the villa.
Let me say right now, the Antiguan immigration process is not the slickest. One does wonder in this technological age why it is necessary to provide all the same information multiple times at both ends of a journey. We spent 30-40 minutes in a mind numbingly boring serpentine queue, then out through customs to locate our driver.
Of course we arrived just as the home-time traffic was building, so our journey to the villa was quite slow. It gave us time to absorb our new surroundings and for our driver to impart some local information. It soon became obvious that the driving rules here are very different from the UK. Road position and actions at road junctions are not as disciplined as back home. There is also much tooting of horns which seems to be a weird kind of communication. Our driver seemed to sound his horn at the most random of times.
We safely arrived at the villa where we noted that the hire car had already been delivered. Shortly after we had unloaded the taxi and taken up residence Iris, the car hire rep, arrived to complete the paper work. Visitors to Antigua have to have an Antiguan Drivers License. No test required but does require some form filling and the handing over of some cash.
A quick trip to the supermarket and we were formally on holiday.
WrAnTz 