I was both astounded and disappointed to discover that my last “View” was posted just over a year ago. I know that we have been busy and there have been other more recent posts.
Admittedly, the conservatory has been rebuilt and we did take off to Australia for three months followed by a month in France and a fortnight in Antigua. There have been several lesser UK based jaunts. However, we have also spent time at home and I have had my camera to hand. So, feeling suitably ashamed, here is a compilation of pictures taken over the last few weeks. We are now into the UK summer season and the garden plants are growing like crazy.
First up then is a regular subject, squirrels. Once again we are being visited by the albino variety.
Albino Squirrel
As you can see they do have the requisite pink eyes.
Albino Squirrel
Here in the UK squirrels are sometimes referred to as tree rats. The example above is the most rat-like squirrel I have ever seen.
Of course we do have an abundance of the grey variety. Just a few days ago there were four greys in the garden. Of course my camera was out of reach and since these guys were raiding the bird feeders, any movement on my part just scared them away.
Grey Squirrel – Taking the rays
Grey Squirrel – So hungry after eating the bird food, it’s eating a stick
Grey Squirrel
Grey Squirrel – Softening a bread crust in the bird bath
Grey Squirrel – So much ginger it’s almost red
I thought that the pure grey squirrels would have attacked the albino, but apparently not. Judging by the shenanigans going on, high up in the trees, I believe the albino may have found a partner. Maybe we’ll see some piebald babes around this year.
As I mentioned earlier, there are many flowers on show already. So, just a few snaps ….
Iris
This Iris was discovered in a shady overgrown area of the garden. It was not planted by us and, as we are the only owners of this property since it was built, we have no idea how the Iris arrived. Pretty though.
We have a few rose bushes, which we did plant….
Rose
Rose – Iceberg (I think ?)
Rose
…… and a few other plants that we bought as plugs for potting on ….
Marigold
Petunia
Gazenia
Marigold
Marigold
And finally, for now ….
We don’t know what this is. The plant is a climber and for the moment it is in a pot on our deck and is entwining itself around the handrail.
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 – One of the many fun Catamarans plying the island and its beaches
Antigua – Coral Ark
Antigua – Serenade of the Seas with MSC Armonia
Antigua – Sea Escape (a Looker 350)
Antigua – Serenade of the Seas with MSC Armonia
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 – Wadadli Cat at Darkwood Beach
Antigua – Long Bay Beach, back from a fishing trip
Antigua – Long Bay Beach
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”
A couple of weeks ago it was decided that we, and our Ozzy rellies, would take a trip across to the Isle of Wight. The most flexible way is to take your own car across on the ferry, rather than rely on public transport on either side of the Solent.
Travelling into Pompey around morning peak traffic times is always a bit like a toss of the dice. Albeit late, we eventually made it to the Wightlink ferry port. Luckily, for us, our ferry was late arriving. Apparently this was due to the low tide meaning the ferry had to take a slightly longer route across the Solent. Once loaded aboard, we made our way up to the lounge, where we had hot chocolate and toasties for breakfast. I also took the opportunity for a couple of snaps.
The following pictures show the scene around the ferry.
Portsmouth Fishing Fleet with Viviers in the background
Portsmouth Fishing Fleet with Viviers in the background
In the background, above the fishing boats, you can see Viviers Fish Market. They are the suppliers of some truly scrumptious fresh fish. Proof is, as they say, in the tasting and we have recently had some superb Halibut, a couple of Bream and a couple of dressed crab.
Land Rover BAR Team home
The bland looking building is the Land Rover BAR building. Having now seen it several times, I’m still not sure about the design. It looks like they are waiting for the wrapping to be fully removed, to expose its true shape.
The ferry was soon underway and after a short voyage, arrived at Fishbourne. We disembarked and made our way to our first destination, Osborne House.
Osborne House is a former royal residence, built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, as a summer home and retreat. Now under the care of English Heritage, both the house and grounds are made available to the public. A few pictures are posted below.
Fountain – Osborne House
Clock Tower – Osborne House
Large Painting – Osborne House
Ornamental Gardens – Osborne House
Ornate Steps – Osborne House
Fountain – Osborne House
Clock Tower – Osborne House
Unfortunately, due to filming of a new drama about Victoria and her indian servant, the fabulous Durbar Room was not available for viewing. In addition, photography was prohibited in other rooms as they were dressed for filming. Apparently, any images would be copyright, because the film company had installed some of their own furniture.
After touring the house, we had a pleasant lunch in the Terrace Restaurant and Orangery. Suitably refueled we headed down to the Swiss Cottage
Set For High Tea – Swiss Cottage, Osborne House
and on to the sea-shore via the Rhododendron Walk, dotted along which there are a variety of carved animals and birds.
Queen Victoria’s Personal Bathing Machine – Osborne House
Beach Shelter – Osborne House
Queen Victoria had her own “Bathing Machine” in which she would get changed. The “machine” would be run into the sea and she would descend the steps into the bracing waters of the Solent. Also on the beach at Osborne is a decorated “alcove” which during our visit gave shelter from the brisk breeze blowing in off the sea.
Returning to the house we spent some time, and of course money, in the gift shop.
From Osborne House we headed off to view The Needles, a row of three distinctive stacks of chalk that rise out of the sea off the western extremity of the Isle of Wight. They are also home to The Needles Lighthouse built on the western most stack.
The Needles – Isle of Wight
An unusual sight was this, apparently tame, fox being enticed to feed.
Tame Fox ? – Isle of Wight
Not sure about the fashion statement this guy is making.
It was soon time for us to think about a spot of dinner before travelling back to the mainland. We had already decided to head to a regular haunt of ours, The Folly Inn.
The Folly is a rustic pub perched on the banks of the River Medina, just up the river from Cowes in Whippingham. They serve good food, good beer, are friendly and provide a great location to chill and watch the yachty world go by.
View From The Shore – Folly Inn, Isle of Wight
View From The Shore – Folly Inn, Isle of Wight
Suitably replete, we headed back to Fishbourne for our ferry ride back to Portsmouth. With the autumnal evenings drawing in we were welcomed back to harbour by the Spinnaker Tower.
Spinnaker Tower – Portsmouth
Driving out of Pompey was a lot easier than our rush hour entry. We were soon home and relaxing with a nice cup of tea.
WrAnTz 