A couple of gatherings in Eleuthera and more

This past week we have been at a couple of gatherings which I will tell you about. And then some catch up with news on what is happening here in the lead up to Christmas.

Firstly we were hosted by Shelby White and her family for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner last Thursday. There was family and extended family as there so often is at this time of year. And it was very heartening to see the youngsters without a device around them at all ! It is unusual – and refreshing to see jigsaw puzzles and books and have actual conversations with people of all ages without the demon devices at hand. I have to confess that I did take my phone with me but that just to take photos for the blog !

The food was a traditional turkey and trimmings and it does herald the start of the holiday season – very welcome and heartwarming – especially when you haven’t cooked it yourself and there are other people to clear up ….. Something else I added to my list of things to be thankful for.

On Saturday afternoon I hosted the Celestial Celebrations Book Club at Sprawling Towers for a Paint and Sip Party. This is run by Jerreth J Albury – an artist here in Eleuthera. He sets the whole thing up with cloths for the tables , easels, canvases paint and brushes. The canvases have a pencil outline of what you are going to be painting – this is prearranged with whoever is organizing the party – in our case it was an open book – and then Jerreth instructs you what to paint and where … It was fun and a great way for us all to socialize and chat.

I am pretty sure that everyone enjoyed themselves and the range of abilities was a source of amusement at our end of the table ! I have not picked up a brush and paint in this way since schooldays and it brought back memories of the painting by numbers gift sets we would receive as children at Christmas. I used to always go over the edges then and guess what – I did this time as well . This is not my forte at all but it was certainly something new to try and Jerreth I know is in demand for his Sip and Paint Parties. If you are looking for something different or have children or grandchildren you want to entertain here on island then I heartily recommend it.

Here are his contact details – 1 242 433 3756.  jerrethalbury@gmail.com

Now for some news on reopenings here in Governors Harbour.

Great news that Bacchus Fine Foods is open again. They have some delicious cheeses , lots of great wines and plenty more goodies that you didn’t know you needed or wanted until you saw them ! They are going to be open 7 days a week but breakfast and lunch will be available Monday to Friday only. News to come soon on dinner options as well.  This is a welcome return for us as they also have bread every day …..

Sunset Inn is reopening on 8th December so when you need that fix of great grouper fingers and fries make a beeline for them ….

The Buccaneer has reopened as well – we went for lunch on Sunday last and it was so nice to see all the staff back and firing on all cylinders ! Bob had his favorite sweet and sour chicken and I had my favorite of shrimp curry so we were both very happy …..

As you know Dan and I meet most days for a beach walk with the dogs at French Leave Beach and a couple of weeks ago during the very stormy weather we had here a huge length of very thick rope washed up on the beach. Over a period of time we saw that someone was systematically organizing the rope in a beautiful way and gradually dragging it up the beach. Fortunately I decided to take my camera one day this week to capture its journey because the next day it was gone. Dan had seen and spoken to the chap who was retrieving it and it is great to know that it now has a new home at one of the properties on the beach.

It is fascinating to speculate what the story of that huge length of rope is – where has it been , what ship was it from and how did it get washed up here – of course we will never know – but it is good to know it now has a new home here in Eleuthera.

Okay dear readers – that’s it for this week. Don’t get so caught up in the preparations for the coming holidays that you lose a sense of joy in it all – I know – easy for me to say living there in Eleuthera, but take a minute to gain a sense of perspective about it all and keep breathing ……