The biggest ‘problem’ I’ve got here is not having a car. I used to have an old, but very nice, dark blue Hyundai, but it went to that great scrapyard in the sky a couple of years ago. Actually, someone bought it from there and did it up and put things right and now it’s a lovely car – but no longer mine! So, I get a lift wherever I can, hire a car for the odd day or go on the bus.
Today was such a day. I wanted to pay my electricity bill before Monday so that I’d get the 10% discount given to prompt payers. Every little helps, as they say! As the APUA office in Jennings is open on Saturday mornings I thought I’d go there. So I walked down the lane and got the Five Islands bus into the West Bus Station in St John’s, where I then transferred to the Jolly Harbour bus, getting off at Jennings. I paid my bill, then got the bus on to Jolly Harbour where I bought a few bits in Epicurean supermarket and then got the bus back to St John’s.
As we were going through Bolans village, we suddenly did a detour up a side road. This is fairly common, here, so I knew there was no need to panic. We drove quite a way and then pulled up outside a house to pick up the driver’s sister and her three children. Then we went round the corner to another house where a woman with a young baby and a little girl got on. The little girl, dressed in lavender, her hair in bunches, couldn’t have been more than two and a half. As the bus door slid open she announced in a loud voice, “Good morning, everyone!”
Her smile was so wide and there was such joy in her voice that I found myself shouting back, “Good morning!” much to the surprise of the two women sitting in front of me, who turned to look at me. 🙂
And suddenly, travelling on the bus wasn’t such a drag. After all, I’d only paid about 70 pence and I was having a lovely, unexpected tour. I was in no hurry and I can honestly say that the beautiful child really brightened up my day.
Then the bus from St John’s to Five Islands dropped me at the bottom of the lane and I walked home. Five buses, four hours, less than £3 spent in fare and a guaranteed seat on every bus.
When I got in, I had a shower and a drink, spoke to the Sister on FaceTime, put a roast in the oven and then cocked my legs** as they say here, and watched the fabulous Lydia Lucy White go through to the Final of The Voice. I was shouting and clapping and whooping when she was announced as a finalist. Â And lovely to see her Nan, Dotty, in the VC, too. Â I had the pleasure of directing Lydia in Cinderella at Christmas 2014, in the role of the Fairy Godmother. It was a very difficult job; the theatre managers made things extremely difficult for us and their vileness was matched only by their mental instability and neurosis. Yet through it all, Lydia behaved like a true pro. Talent apart, she is a really lovely person who does so much for charity and will always go the extra mile for her fans. I would LOVE to see her win and I will be rooting for her next week.
The last few days have been filled with social occasions, too. On Wednesday evening my friend Z came over. We spent five and a half hours talking, laughing, catching up and drinking Merlot. I slept very well on Wednesday night!! But when she left – at 12.30am – she accidentally set off her car alarm. It sounded SO loud in the silence of the night. I shot back inside and put the lights out as if it had nothing to do with me at all! Sorry, neighbours!
On Thursday, B, who is now fully recovered from her flu, took me to lunch at Sandals. Oh, my! Good or what? Wonderful meal, great company and three lip-smacking, heavenly cocktails! I got home and had an hour and a half siesta. It’s a good job I identify as “not really a drinker”, isn’t it? 😉
Yesterday M called by. Great to catch up with her and to make plans. 🙂 🙂 Sshhh! Mum’s the word!
And……….. The Banjo will be finished in the next two days!! Ta Daa!
Friday Rush Hour….in Antigua 🙂
I’m just sorry I haven’t got any photos to accompany this post. My Antiguan mobile hasn’t got a camera. I must get into the habit of taking my UK iPhone with me whenever I’m out and about. Â I wish I’d got a pic of the Girl On The Bus! Â Meanwhile, to make up for it, here’s a picture of Friday Rush Hour in Antigua! xx
** It means to put your feet up.
