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Trip to Grenada
On Wednesday, 22nd February 2023, my wife, Jean, and I are flying out to Grenada for a week’s vacation, the idea being to enjoy some Caribbean sunshine and warmth, escaping, for a short while at least, my least favourite month of the year in Blighty. The flight (BA2159) leaves at 10 a.m. from Gatwick Airport…
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Tuesday, 21st February 2023 – Just the start…
As the flight is scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow, I’d booked the Bloc Hotel actually onsite at Gatwick Airport South Terminal for tonight, right on the doorstep of the Departures hall, together with prepaid parking. Thus it transpired that we set off at around 3 p.m. to drive the M1/M25/M23/A23 route to Gatwick. Relatively uneventful,…
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Day 1 (22nd February 2023) – Getting there
The alarm on my phone went off at 6.45 a.m. Dragged myself out of a really quite comfortable bed and made us both our legally required lemon and ginger tea (from our own stocks). Shaving was a trial, as the hot water took ages to come through, the light was inadequate and the sink plug…
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Day 2 (23rd February 2023) – First full day
We were pretty knackered after yesterday’s very long day, so we both fell asleep quickly and relatively early. I’d made the decision to reduce the aircon temperature from 24 degrees to 20 degrees. Big mistake. We both ended up feeling too cold, so I switched it off altogether at around 6 a.m. Made it to…
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Day 3 (24th February) – Nothing (much) doing
Good night’s kip and a much more congenial room temperature. Very restorative. Another bright and sunny day with temperatures in the high 20s. Wonderful! We’d had the foresight, if that’s the right word, to pre-order our breakfast yesterday via the hotel app for delivery to our balcony. Just before the appointed time, a gent turned…
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Day 4 (25th February) – Carrying on doing (almost) nothing
Another decent night’s rest, followed by another decent breakfast at the Beach Club. Jean had some sort of nail job booked at the spa, which happened to be right beside the pool. The weather was glorious – blue skies and 30 degrees. I took up station on a lounger by a surprisingly deserted pool, whilst…
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Day 5 (26th February) – Exciting start, relaxed finish
Woke up to another warm, sunny day. So far, so normal. However, the mood changed somewhat when I discovered that I couldn’t access my Santander bank accounts – blocked, for no reason that I could detect. I had to phone their security department back in the U.K. – at £3.49 per minute! They couldn’t see…
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Day 6 (27th February 2023) – Island tour (Part 1)
As this is a long post, I’ve decided to divide it into two parts. The first is more about our guide and the recent history of the island – very interesting to me, and I hope you agree. The second part is about the tour itself. The alarm went off at 7 a.m., an ungodly…
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Day 6 (27th February) – Island Tour (Part 2)
The Calabash Hotel is in the south-west of the island, a few miles from the capital, St. George’s Town, named after King George III of England. The island, like so many in this area, exchanged hands between the English and the French at least seven times, with, of course, the English gaining the upper hand…
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Day 7 (28th February) – Last full day
After yesterday’s slogathon, today’s post will be much shorter, you’ll be glad to know. Usual late start, usual glorious sunny day, usual excellent breakfast over which we lingered as usual. Prepared for a day on the beach, my only stipulation being that I stay within reach of a decent Internet connection, as I planned to…
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Day 8 (1st March 2023) – Going home
Last night in this wonderful suite. Awoke to yet another bright, sunny but breezy day, feeling a bit dismal. Breakfast was followed by the necessary packing. Our flight doesn’t leave until 6.15 p.m., so a cab is coming to pick us up at 3.45. I wonder if George is going to ply me with more…
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Last belated thoughts about Grenada
8 days after returning to Blighty, I finally get around to doing the summary of the trip! My sister-in-law gave the Calabash a resounding write-up some while ago, so my appetite was whetted – I love warm weather and a top hotel. My expectations were exceeded – maybe my sister in law will be relieved…