ANTIGUA
We have now been in Antigua for nearly 2 weeks and it is becoming harder and harder to leave.
We have met up with a really good group of cruising buddies and there always seems to be something on to stay for- a meal out, drinks on someone’s boat, a trip around the island etc etc. I know we will have to leave soon as our livers will self destruct!!
We are staying in a small marina in English harbour which is part of the restored Nelson’s dockyard. It a bit like staying in a movie set. Many of the buildings have been converted into yachting and tourist – related facilities. English harbour is separated by a narrow strip of land from Falmouth harbour, which is a large area of sheltered water full with super yachts. Overlooking the two bays is Shirley heights, an old fort where twice a week they have a steel band performing and a BBQ . It is certainly a great place to spend Sunday afternoon having a few beers and listening to the West Indian music.
Today we went to the cricket – England against The West Indies, we were in the party stand – free drinks (wine, beer and any spirit you wanted!!) lunch and tea. There was a live band, DJ, and even a swimming pool where you could cool off while you watched the cricket. The game started at 10.00 and they only managed to bowl 1 and half over’s, before it was stopped by the officials. The only way we found out why play was stopped was because one of the English fans had phoned home to the UK to see what they were saying on British TV. It seems the pitch wasn’t holding up and the whole game was cancelled. As we had paid for the food and drink in the party stand – we just partied on!! By 4.00 they had to close the bar as they had run out of beer!!There were a lot of disgruntled English fans who came to Antigua just to watch the series. It seems they are going to resume the 5 day match from Sunday and all party stand ticket holders get the same deal. Free drink, free food and as a bonus, they may even throw in a tad of cricket!!
Sorry we can’t put to many pictures onto the blog but they take up too much memory. If anyone is on Face Books you can view a much larger selection of pictures go to my facebook site -Peter Faulkner