Antigua & Barbuda Day 3

October 30, 2016

I was awakened by the sun...and the fan stopping as the power went out, Then, someone was yelling at my loft window and knocking on my door. They were looking for Chrys. They were here to clean. I explained my role here...paying guest and that they'd had to call her, they said that they did. I responded that they needed to continue to do so. Ugh!

So...I got up. It was hot, no fan and even though tired, I needed a cold drink.

Yogurt, fruit, trail mix, and a Coke Zero! I've discovered this network, FYI, and have been binging a home flip show called. So, breakfast and house flipping 😀

It was threatening rain and as it was Sunday, nothing was opening early if at all. I was in no rush to go anywhere, I had awakened early and had lots of time,

I finished my season of Ripper Street and even read a bit, I had a late morning snack and it was time to shower. I was out the door by noon...as planned.

The threatened rain had passed and I was on my way. I was trying to be on my way. The GPS kept cycling through search and I hadn't made it out of the neighborhood. I knew I could make it to the main road and to St Johns but needed help from there.i kept trying to reset the device but it was stuck in some strange mode. It was like it couldn't connect to a satellite but it said that it was. It showed a route but wouldn't guide me. I had to march my trek to the route shown. Ok...I can do that - and so I did.

It was only about 30 minutes across the island to, English Harbour. As I wasn't really being lead, my cul-de-sac end surprised me. I was at the Nelson Dockyard National Park. Whoohoo!

English Harbour quickly became a focal point for the establishment of a naval base in Antigua. Its position on the south side of the island meant it was well positioned to monitor the neighbouring French island of Guadeloupe. Additionally, the harbour is naturally well-suited to protect ships and cargo from hurricanes. In 1671 the first recorded ship to enter English Harbour was a yacht, the “Dover Castle.” It was chartered to the King by a Colonel Stroude for the use of the Governor of the Leeward Islands when he visited the islands under his jurisdiction and "chased ye pirates."

English Harbour has been the haunt of many famous naval officers including Rodney, Nelson, Collingwood, Prince William Henry, Hood, and Cochrane. Today the Dockyard at English Harbour is named after the victor of the battle of Trafalgar, Admiral Lord Nelson. Nelson was based at English Harbour from 1784 to 1787. He was Senior Captain at 27 years of age and became temporary Commander-in-Chief of the Leeward Islands for a short time.

At the yard, there were skilled resident tradesman and artificers, many of them black. They were employed for the repair of ships. The Bosun was in charge of labourers who were Africans, and who were bought by the Navy and were known as the King's Negroes. Their responsibilities included the building and maintenance of facilities and wharves, the warping of ships into the harbour and the preparation work prior to careening.

In 1889 the Royal Navy abandoned the Dockyard and it fell into decay. The Society of the Friends of English Harbour began restoration in 1951 and a decade later it was opened to the public.

It was HOT and I sweated profusely 😅 as I walked the historic dockyard. It's things we're closed but the museum was open and even though it was small, it had some valuable information.

The views from the Harbour front was dramatic and the view inland, toward the mountains was breathtaking, I can just imaging what it must have been like in its heyday.

I stopped and had a mango smoothie and a break from the sun, across from me were a group speaking in a familiar dialect of American English ( Southern ) . Actually, I'd heard the language from my land much of the time on this island...surprised me. They noticed my (Hillary Y'all) button :-). I smiled :-)

I asked for directions to get to the top of the mountain (Shirley Heights). It was surprisingly easy and only about 10 minutes, My ticket to the park got me into the scenic overlook.

The view from Shirley Heights Lookout is without question the most famous view on the island of Antigua, Located within the National Parks, overlooking English and Falmouth Harbours, this panoramic view, on clear days takes in Guadeloupe to the south and Montserrat with it's still active volcano to the south west.

This is one of the most dramatic views that I've ever seen. It's so much bette than pictures can capture, it was surreal to stand there and take it in,..beautiful nature!

It was so hot, I would stand at the overlook for a few minutes and then go to the picnic tables under an awning protecting from the sun. I did this a few times as I really wanted to take my time and not run away because it was not, I stayed about an hour and enjoyed every minute. What a perfect Caribbean island experience

I asked a lady about the possibility of getting to the crescent beach below. I asked if it was private or public and if there was parking, She said that it was public and parking was to be found...so I drove down the mountain to Galleon Beach.

The road down trip the beach was very steep and narrow, barley one car can make it down the path, stress!!! I found Galleon Beach and it was along the narrow path, the path was lined with cars...oh no! I kept going as I was looking for a parking lot. The road turned and then,..ended...at a resort, oh no! I turned around...very difficult...and did find a parking spot, I thought i would give it a try. It was very busy as people were starting the Independence Day celebrating early. I walked along the water and found a spot in the shade under some mangrove trees. I enjoyed the view I'd the beach and Guadeloupe, in the distance, I decided that I wanted to return to Half Moon Bay and swim there. I had enjoyed it yesterday and liked it better than Galleon Beach,

I set the GPS again and after it failed me yet again, I did get to my intended destination ( Half Moon Bay ) in 40 minutes instead of the 20 that it should have, crazy device.

Today HMB was very busy. The parking lot was filled and the picnic tables were filed. I parked and found my spot. Finally I would enjoy the warm, blue green waters of Antigua, It was so relaxing. The temperature was perfect, not too warm and not cool. I could see little fishes swimming with me. We all had a good time, I wish I had a spot like this to visit, every week. The stress just melts away and the connection with nature is instant. I love it here

I enjoyed my time but knew I'd had enough sun exposure and needed to return to shade, I was hungry and wanted a rest, it was time to cross the island, again, and return to Fitches Creek.

I stopped and bought gas for the car, around $5 a gallon. I bought 3 gallons and filled the 1/3 that I'd used...nice

Back at the cottage, Chrys was enjoying some family time with a bar-b-que celebrating a birthday and independence. I settled in and made some dinner, had some wine, and wrote about my day,

Late in the evening...it rained, HARD! The island needed it badly so I was happy to hear it falling.