Actually dear readers a bit of news here in Eleuthera this week. The election has been called for May 12th so there is plenty going on with the political scene.
Who knows what the election will bring – but as always there will be some families divided because of their political stances . I always say – we all have to get up the next morning and get on with each other and carry on working – so we have to accept what happens. But if you have a vote here in the Bahamas then do make good use of it and do your part.
There are two developments which are about to happen in Governors Harbour.
One of them is the old French Leave / Club Med site. As far as I know there is going to be a 45 room boutique hotel and some villas. Sadly they got off to a bad start by closing off the beach access at the side of the property. The claim was – well we own the land – which is true . But if there has been a public access – which there has been for 50 years – then it cannot just be closed off.
Long story short – it was opened up again this past Monday although there is no parking you can pick your way through the planting to get to the beach. I hope that a better resolution is forthcoming and that people do not have to stumble through the rough areas to gain access to our precious beach.
Whilst on the subject of French Leave Beach – hats off and a big shout out to the team who undertook a huge beach clean up. A couple called Abigail and Michael who have been staying in Governors Harbour – over a 3 week period systematically collected a massive amount of garbage from the beach. I was reliably told there was plastic, bottles, ropes, tires, pallets and a flotilla of many unpleasant objects. The truck used to dispose of it to the garbage dump was kindly lent by Patrick and driven by Clemens. A great job all round and thanks are due to them all……
The other development is a huge plan by J Resort and rather than go in to a lot of details here is a link to an article in the Nassau Tribune from this week . Over the 20 years we have been here we have heard of many plans that either never happen or a very watered down version of the original idea is what transpires. A watching carefully plan seems to be the way forward at the moment.
Everyone agrees that without a major change in both power generation and water supplies then this project does not have a chance…….
Okay – moving on from this let me say how lovely it has been to hear from some readers how much they have enjoyed some of the book recommendations I have made. Do please remember that I too welcome hearing about books that you have enjoyed and wish to spread the word about.
On TV we have loved watching a BBC program called Extraordinary Portraits. It is a six part series where as the BBC puts it – “Where skills meet stories. Artists create breathtaking portraits of people with incredible personal and powerful stories – creating a picture of modern Britain.” They are all individuals with amazing stories which come out during the painting or sculpting process. Absolutely brilliant.
I have mentioned before one of my very favorite writers is Alan Bennet. He is a playwright , author, actor and screenwriter – his works include The Madness of King George, The History Boys and The Lady in the Van to name but 3 of his films. He has a new film out called The Choral which we are watching on Prime Video for the insultingly cheap price of $1.99. Personally I would happily pay 10 times that and still think it a bargain ! It is a wonderful film set around a choral group in Yorkshire during the early part of the First World War. The singing as you imagine is beautiful and it is beautifully paced piece of work – of course there is great tragedy in any film about the Great War – but Alan Bennett’s wry dialogue and observations make it a joy for me to watch.
I am awaiting the latest volume of his published diaries which should hopefully arrive in my next shipment. Incidentally some of you may be aware that our dog Rudge is named after one of the characters in The History Boys ……
Okay dear friends – I will leave it at that for this week. Don’t forget to share with me any book or film recommendations that you have loved or been moved by……
Take care of yourselves and see you next week.
14 thoughts on “A bit of news in Eleuthera this week”
A very interesting blog – as always! I remember cleaning up French Leave Beach with a big black garbage bag and leaving it on the garbage bin at the entrance to the beach. I kept all the turquoise and orange beach rope though which now hangs in my spare bathroom! May I recommend the book “Daughters of the Sea” by Geraldine Griffin? It is available on Amazon and is the story of my sisters and my life living on a sailboat in England and the Bahamas. Thanks Kathy!
Oh that sounds like an interesting book ! It is in my cart already …. Thank you
So good to see your posts again ️☀️
We stayed at your place when our friends were married in Eleuthera. Joel & Angela Shaw-Brock
Great to hear from you !
I stopped you on your way out last week at Tippy’s. Again, thanks so much for the info you have provided over the years on this blog. I look forward to it each week.
We have been here 5 of 6 weeks and I have read 10 books! My two faves are must reads – historical fiction – by Lisa See – Lady Tan’s Circle of Women and Island of Sea Women. Both excellent reads you don’t want to end!
See you next year!
Thanks so much for this. I have read Island of Sea Women and loved it …… Keep the recommendations coming when you get a good one please !
Hi Kathy,
The big development sounds awful. Why would anyone approve changing the entire “ vibe” of Eleuthera and GH. Hopefully it will not get further than the concept stage without huge modifications.
I have been in the development business my whole career. Redeveloping a blighted urban riverfront such as Cleveland and reimagining paradise are two very different things,
Happy spring to you and Bob.
Kathy, do you know what governmental agency (if any) had the responsibility to review the Jacob megaplans, and whether the development has been approved?
I don’t know if this has been done yet … Certainly it appears that there is no approval yet.
Thanks for this Elise – let’s hope my theory of Eleuthera spitting out what is not right for it holds ! Hope you are enjoying the spring up in NY xx
Always uplifting to read your blog. Thank you Kathy. ❤️
Thank you so much ! Glad you enjoy the blog…..
We just booked a three week stay in Eleuthera and this year we are staying on Casuarina Beach. I am worried that the new hotel being built at the old club med will be noisy and cause disruption. I think it is a mile south of where we are staying but wondering if it the project is big enough that it will affect our stay. I asked the hosts of where we are staying as well but appreciate your option. Love your blog, I don’t miss a week!
Thanks,
Michelle
You are decent way away from the Club Med site. Nothing has been started yet as far as I know. When are you coming ? I think you will be fine – things usually move pretty slowly here …. Glad you enjoy the blog !