The sea/ # 3
This morning I swam a mile in the Caribbean sea. Through clear shallows over white waves of sand and into the deep blue, gliding over a silent coral world. There was a small group of us today and as we stood on the sand looking out at the horizon where the sea darkened and white stripes of surf merged into the sky, I had that sense of being on the edge of the world. Where I'm marooned, island-ed, and being able to swim is hope. Wading into the sea, it felt cool at first and t
Barbados life: The ten best things (and it's not all what you'd think)
Yes, Barbados is a beautiful place to live: all turquoise sea and white sandy beaches, every-day blue sky and green fields of sugar cane swaying like reeds in the breeze. This abundant natural beauty has become my backdrop. And it's improved my quality of life considerably since our arrival in August 2013. But there is so much more to this Caribbean nation than meets the eye. And although I want to expand on many of the 'best things' listed below on this blog, for now, I wa
52 project/ #9
52 Barbados: a weekly photographic record of each of my children in 2015, the year we're living in Barbados. Week #9 Recently the sunsets have been even more incredible than usual. Just beore 6pm every night the building next door is bathed in rich amber light. So this week I tried to capture the children as the sun was setting Oscar - Playing in the sea at our favourite beach bar as the sun goes down. Iris - On the boardwalk. Thumb in as it gets closer to bedtime. Lila - Wat
52 project/ #7
52 Barbados: a weekly photographic record of each of my children in 2015, the year we're living in Barbados. Week #7 A crazy busy week with visitors staying in our house and a birthday party for Oscar. Lila - Sunset silhouette. She seems to prefer playing on the rocks to getting in the sea. Oscar - He turned six this week - on the 14th - my little Valentino. He's changing. Still fun loving and lively but becoming more independent, more creative, more of a thinker. Iris - This
52 project/ #6
52 Barbados: a weekly photographic record of each of my children in 2015, the year we're living in Barbados. Week #6 We have this incredible natural wonder on our doorstep. The Caribbean Ocean. It still takes my breath away. When I step out of our gate and walk towards the turquoise reef and lines of blue fading onto the horizon, I find it hard to believe that there's nothing out there but sea. No skyline. No buildings. I often wonder how this environment is effecting my chil
The sea/ #2
I wake up thinking of England. Of my family and friends. Sometimes I feel so far away and get caught up in thoughts of what we've gained - and lost - by spending a few years of our lives here. Getting out (if I can, if it's early enough and Alex is here) helps. A lot. So I head out for a run on the boardwalk. I don't run far today because the sea, undulating, turquoise, lapping against the rocks as I pad along, is too inviting. There is a stretch of white sand edged with rock
Breakfast on the beach
Our Saturday or Sunday morning ritual. Wake early (always - by Oscar). Make some improvised muffins while Alex sorts out the kids. Pack a bag with a flask of coffee, juice, the baked muffins, towels and beach toys. We put Iris in the pushchair and make our way out of the house and a couple of minutes down the street onto the boardwalk - the wooden planked walk way that runs along the sea and stretches, at the end of our road, from Accra beach to the Soco hotel. We love the So
The sea
Being on a small tropical island, the sea has become a big part of our family psyche. It's at the end of our road, just a minute's walk from our door and it's not like a sea any of us has ever known before. From a distance it's bright turquoise, clear when you're in it looking down at your toes on the white sandy sea bed. Sometimes we want to be in it. Drifting around in the shallows of our local rock cove - a natural pool of sparkling blue water sheltered by a semi circle o
