Tight as wax...

Last night I was in a fit of giggles at Maho, who was ridiculously inebriated, sprouting spirituality from the Bible and Koran combined...made for interetsting listening, however, who am I to judge when I find myself with a toothache after sushi with Nikki...in need of a quick remedy...which she provided in the form of clove oil...and it worked to a certain extent...but the taste...dreadful...had to wash it down with three, maybe four, or was it five rum and lemonade with a
dash of bitters...LUSH...I KNOW!!!

Felt obliged to actually count the stairs to the Tower (appropriate reference to my place of slumber...especially last night), it took an inordinate amount of time to arrive at my bed, where I promptly crashed...toothache?...what was the question???

On the procurement of a husband...

I have done my best to date...been out more times in the last few weeks than I have in the past year...hung out at the Yacht Club, where the men are either too old or far too old...been to many bars and even went to a 50th last night, where I appeared to be a hit with two brothers, one of which had the opening line of "I'm not usually attracted to big ladies, but there is something very special about you"...not sure whether I was flattered or offended...he went on to tell me an abridged version of his life, including his financial status and ended by wondering whether I was free and disengaged.

A respectable amount of time later, the other approached and started up a tentative conversation, he was not as entertaining as his brother, but he did ask how much longer I would be in Grenada as he would be back in London in a few weeks (does six month on each island) and that I should look out for him, apparently their mother lives in Penge, which is but a stone's throw away from me...I smiled at that...like London is that small...although, knowing my luck...it probably is.

Thirds the charm...did get to chatting to another guy (totally unrelated), who was from...wait for it...Forest Hill...yet another stone's throw away, he's currently residing in Trinidad...made me wonder if South London was suddenly empty!!!

Alas...there were no prospects at the fairground...the fact that all the men were at least a hand shorter than me, did compound matters further...the big I can do something about...but the height???

Its not just this side of the pond...

I had words with my estate agent in London today. He mailed to advise that the Saturday viewing went the way of the last, without incident, and suggested I lower the price further as he feels it is unrealistic without a garden.

I felt the need to point out to him that it was his suggested price, not mine on both occasions it was offered and that him being the agent with a wealth of experience and knowledge should have offered better advice!!!

I also felt the need to point out that the said 20 clients he had waiting in the wings at our first meeting seem to have all but disappeared and that although I fully understand the need for a certain amount of fluff sprouted in order to win new business, there is a distinct feeling of being loosely led up the garden path!!!

His response was not only facetious but down right rude, to that end I have given notice to terminate on my return, advising that we have a contract until May 19th and as such should see what can be achieved in that time. His second response was somewhat contrite, telling me he only had my best interest at heart.

I am surrounded by Charlatans...what I neglected to mention was that I had my sister call a few days ago enquiring about the property and she was told she could see it, but he had other properties in the area that he could show her...so much for my interest and his heart!!!

And that is why I love Grenada...

This morning, woke at 07:33, looked out and smiled. Off to breakfast at Mount Morritz, where there were several marquees laid out and a bouncy castle for the children...we ate an abundance of salt fish, smoked herrings, fried fish, black pudding and bakes, washed down with cocoa-tea and juice.

Back home for a spell and then off to Rolf's parents for lunch at 13:30, where I ate some more, two hours later, in the boat heading for Hog Island for some beers on the beach...what can I say...Grenada Nice!!!

...did I say under no illusions?

Quotes are in and shockingly high....I asked for a shell, not the next candidate for Cribs!!! The challenge (as we no longer have troubles or problems) seems to be the fact that everyone and their mother is a contractor, in laymen terms? THERE ARE NO BUILDERS IN GRENADA!!!

Time for renegotiations me thinks. My initial man (in the interest of protecting the innocent, lets call him builder A) appears to be of a lackadaisical demeanor, which does not bode well for my project. After phoning in his quote, I tried for days to contact him in order to set up an appointment to discuss the figures. On finally reaching him I was told he was fishing all night and would be unable to make my proposed time as he was tired, however, he would the following day. We agreed on 11:00. Some three hours later, I received a call from him asking to move the meeting as it would interfere with his luncheon plans!!! I casually observed that he was not acting like a man trying to win a contract, to which he replied, he eats every day at noon and an 11:00 meeting would "mess up de whole ting".

Builder B has also submitted his quote, albeit incomplete, which is formidably higher (and this is the one I like for it), he did manage to shave off a mere $39,000 as we spoke, MUST have been my pallor...and I repeat...I asked for a shell, not a candidate for Cribs!!!

And here's where that herculean amount of patience comes in...the renegotiations...I have sent them off to "rethink" their quotes as to my mind there is A LOT of shaving to be done and I am assured by both builders A & B that this is a possibility without compromising the integrity of the buildings!!!

In the interim, I have met with builder C and awaiting his quote, although he appears very down-to-earth and somewhat sensible, whether this bears out in the actual quote remains to be seen. Builders D & E scheduled for meetings next week.

The adventure...

I have taken time out from waiting for the flat to sell and given myself a six-week fact-finding mission. I am staying with friends who have recently built a fab house with a spectacular view..as you can see from mine from the hammock.

I have been in Grenada two weeks and in that time have collected my 3 barrels and 1 statue from the port, or customs if you prefer, which was a remarkably simple process. Albeit that the statue arrived broken, without the pieces in the packaging and the barrels missing items, some of which I have yet to identify I'm sure. This skullduggery is being fully investigated by the shipping agent as I type...

Not allowing this to dampen my fervor for the Tropics. I have diligently began interviewing builders, whose quotes I am and expecting any day now. So far, one builder has manage to misquote the wood for my flooring by some 2,000 sq ft...Mmm (finger on pursed lips).

Under no illusions...

Folks...as the above-mentioned title illustrates...I know this entire feat is going to take time, much energy and a herculean amount of patience. That said, the decision has been made and ahead we go.

I would like to say that leaving my job as an Ops Manager in the City of London was the hardest thing, but actually I can't. That was back in February and I decided to sell my flat and take a sabbatical to build that house by the sea and see what I can see.

I am no novice, having lived and schooled in Trinidad, spending my summer holidays in Grenada, not to mention the yearly trips for Carnival. Grenada has always felt like home...but as granny used to say "see me and come live with me are two different things!"