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.
Nature’s little secrets
The nickname for BVI is nature’s little secrets. I believe this is because of its hidden-away natural beauty, rather than a nod to its reputation as a place for pirates and privateers to hide pieces of eight (and for their modern counterparts to stash roubles and pounds sterling). Continue reading
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
Halloween troll
I was scrolling though my Instagram feed last night and saw a picture of a body positive blogger. Someone had written a really mean comment. Even though I know better, I wrote a snarky little response to defend the girl. Then I went to sleep.
I woke up in the middle of the night and saw this: Continue reading
The 5 stages of losing all your clothes in a hurricane
I think I have lost all my clothes in Hurricane Irma.
This is less dramatic than it sounds. The hurricane didn’t suck my clothes high into the air or anything like that.
