Have you seen Jonathan Sumption’s Sunday Times article? Probably because of the stature of the author, the article has been niggling away at me since I read it. By ‘stature’ of course, I don’t mean how tall he is, I mean how clever he is. We’re talking about the cleverest man in England here. In his article titled “Set us free from lockdown, ministers, and stop covering your backs“, Lord Sumption suggests that the UK should never have put a lockdown in place, because the current circumstances do not justify violating citizens’ liberties. Continue reading
COVID on an island – a sad update
My recent, optimistic blog post was about the measures put in place in BVI to try and halt coronavirus in BVI. At that date (16 April), there had been only three confirmed cases of coronavirus on BVI. Following the discovery of those cases, the Territory imposed a strict curfew, with residents (except for essential workers) forbidden from leaving their homes for any reason. As I typed out my little blog post, it seemed to me like the stringent measures might have worked and I was feeling hopeful.
But even as I finished writing out my thoughts, we heard the news that a woman had just been hospitalised with suspected corona virus. Continue reading
COVID on an island
OK, so this is a super-quick and very personal round-up of how the island where we live (Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands) is dealing with the, er, C word. I’m sorry that I have not tried to deal with the devastating effect of this virus on individuals here, or how scary this time is. I simply lack the talent to tackle those topics in a way that remotely does them justice, so I won’t try. Continue reading
Witchcraft on an island
In early 2017, painted signs began to pop up on utility poles around the island that I live on, Tortola (which is in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean). The signs measured around 2 feet high, and included cats, fish, the sun and the moon.
How to feel like a beach babe
Spending time in London a couple of weeks ago, I saw that the shops were filled with pastel colours, summer dresses and platform sandals. This pleased me. Finally I could stop looking wistfully a faux fur jackets and cowboys boots online. Hurrah, summer clothes have arrived!
This enthusiasm for summery stuff is recent. Until fairly recently, the beautiful first days of Spring were tinged with dread at the thought of casting off winter clothes and emerging, blinking into the unforgiving sunlight. Like a butterfly. A thread-veined, grey-ish white, butterfly. Continue reading
Home sweet home
We returned to British Virgin Islands today after just over a week in the UK. After having lived in the Caribbean for over a year, we reacted with childish glee to the availability of what to most people would be fairly quotidian items (scotch egg, anyone?). So how do two former Englishers treat themselves when back in their former home?
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Post hurricane glossary
ON 6 SEPTEMBER 2017 HURRICANE IRMA ripped through the Eastern Caribbean leaving catastrophic damage. It was followed by the devastating Hurricane Maria. (I don’t know why I’m saying this as if it’s news when I’ve had mentionitis about it for nearly 6 months.)
The long-suffering friends and family of Caribbean residents might have noticed a smattering of hurricane jargon being used by their loved ones. Here is a quick glossary for your information: Continue reading
Jamaica, Jamaica
In an (unsuccessful) attempt to reduce the amount insta-spamming I did in Jamaica, I started a blog post while we were there. But then I relaxed so much that I didn’t even get around to posting it… so here it is now.
Return to Tortola FAQs
This is a little post about what it’s like to relocate to BVI having been away for some months post-Irma.
I hesitated about writing a blog which is premised on having still having a job (when so many are jobless) and being able to go out to eat and drink (when so many have been relying on relief supplies). We talk about checking our privilege before speaking on a topic, and in this case, my privilege would take longer to check than an overweight bag at the LIAT desk in San Juan. Continue reading
How to survive a long business trip
I have been living out of suitcases for a couple of months, with another 6 weeks to go. Here are a few tips for staying sane if you find yourself in a similar situation. Continue reading
on an island 