End of October Sunset, Harrington Sound

 

IWC Walking Group

 

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Our International Women's Club Walking Group had a very "pink" October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, organizing some reminder or event around each of our Monday morning walks. On this last Monday of October, Elizabeth hosted a lovely coffee at her home. Although it took perseverance and determination to sample all the wonderful goodies and quiches that Liz provided, I managed to try a bite (OK, several bites) of everything: pink-frosted coconut cupcakes, walnut shortbread, raisin scones, banana bread, croissants with strawberry jam and butter, berry coffee cake, fresh strawberries, savory cheese spread, and shrimp quiches...all accompanied by the best Starbucks coffee.

Abby, All-Powerful Witch of Bermuda

Halloween

Yes, Halloween is celebrated in Bermuda, it being a custom that started out in the British Isles. Here's Abby in her witch outfit. Note the pet spider around her neck and her sparkly shoes. Her witch's "familiar" -- an animal once believed to be an imp from hell that helps the witch with her unholy magic -- is shown here cleverly disguised as a yellow lab. Who would have guessed?
OK: just about everybody who knows Molly...

Juicy

Here's our neighbor's ancient Rottie, Juicy. Juicy is SUCH a sweet boy, even though he's spent the vast majority of his life on a chain and is generally ignored. We take him out for walks on his tottery old legs, and slip him extra food. On this particular day, his owner had taken Juicy was off his chain because the dog's neck had become ulcerated from the wear and tear of the links. Once off his chain and left to his own devices, Juicy immediately came across the street to see us -- his friends -- for some pats and food. His situation just breaks our hearts, but according to Bermuda law, as long as Juicy has food, water, and some sort of shelter, nothing can be done. To many local Bermudians, dogs are status symbols or "protection." Dogs are often not considered pets and are generally kept on chains or confined to cages for their entire lives. And, dog fighting has only recently been outlawed.

I wish these ignorant people would live by Albert Schweitzer's philosophy, as follows:

"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace."

 

St. George

Our Monday morning ladies' walking group recently hiked around St. George which is located on the eastern end of Bermuda. The Town of St. George is the oldest settlement (1612) on the island, and was once the seat of government. We walked from the center of St. George, out past the Cut Road where the cruise ships come in, and back to the center of town again in a little over an hour. Great ocean views of that amazingly turquoise crystalline water.

On other days when exercise is not paramount, it's fun to explore the many cobblestone alleyways (such as Petticoat Lane, Old Maid's Lane, Shinebone Alley, Featherbed Alley, Needles and Pins Lane), tiny limestone houses, the Unfinished Church, St. Peter's Church with its ancient cemetary, Fort St. Catherine, the Globe Hotel, the Tucker family home, and the old warehouses. Once all that has been accomplished, it's time for lunch, and Cafe Gio is by far the best restaurant in town, in our humble opinion.

 

International Women's Club

At our recent International Women's Club lunch, several of the members modeled fabulous jewelry pieces that were on loan from Crisson's, a well-respected Bermuda shop. Our lunch at La Coquille in Hamilton consisted of the following:

Wild French Mushroom Soup, truffle foam

Grilled Chicken and Mango Salad, curried dressing, mesclun leaves, fresh berries

Double Chocolate Creme Brulee

Coffee, Tea

Somehow I managed to get through it...

 

 

Royal Naval Dockyard

Royal Naval Dockyard is located at the furthest end of Bermuda. After Britain's loss of the American colonies in the Revolutionary War, Bermuda took on increasing importance as Britain's toe-hold in the Atlantic Ocean. Bermuda was then known as the "Gilbraltor of the West." To establish its might, Britain used convict and slave labor to begin building the Royal Naval Dockyard in 1809. Ships stopped at Dockyard for refitting, victualling, and repairs before heading out on military, trade, or other missions. Dockyard remained a major outpost until it was closed in 1951. Restaurants, shops, an art gallery, glass works, sheep, a snorkeling park, captive dolphins (a sad spectacle...), and museums now occupy a small part of the once sprawling 11 acre installation.

 

 

Samuel Clemens et al.

When our friend Peter Beves was recently here visiting with us, we stopped by to say hello to
Samuel Clemens (in bronze). Peter had some writing advice for Mr. Clemens while I was content to bask in Sam's admiring gaze.

Actually, Samuel Clemens, or as he is better known: Mark Twain, visited Bermuda on numerous occasions, and inadvertently provided the Bermuda Tourist Bureau with its favorite quotation: "You go to heaven if you want to; I'd druther stay here."

Another of Samuel Clemens' references to Bermuda goes as follows: "I said it was like being in Heaven. The Reverand rebukingly and rather pointedly advised me to make the most of it then."

From Rambling Notes on an Idle Excursion

 

 

Middle Year Program

Occasionally Abby has to wear the complete Somersfield Academy Middle Year Program uniform: khaki or plaid skirt, navy blue blazer, white shirt, tie, navy blue knee socks, black shoes. She did think that it was sort of fun the first time, but I don't expect this initial assessment to be long lived.

 

Around the World

Eric has just returned from a three-week, around-the-world trip. The owner of Longtail Aviation is taking one of his other companies into an IPO, so visiting global financial centers is an important part of that process.

Here are some of Eric's photos from the trip. And, yes, some of my South America captions refer to The Lion King.

Falcon Crew: Marty Amick, Dr. Jeremy Morton, Eric

 

On the way to South America

 

Ascension Island Government: all of it...

 

Eric, Ascension Island

 

Just Lion Around, South Africa

 

Wild Dog, South Africa

 

Cheetahs Never Prosper...

 

Real Life "Pumba," South Africa

 

Hotel, South Africa

 

Rainy day, India

 

Nice, France