Idyllic

We now have a tarpaulin to cover the trailer as more rain is expected. We had a coffee stop at Malmoth and passed through forested hilly areas before we reached an area of sugarcane and mango orchards. We Reached Forest Villas on the outskirts of St Lucia about 12.30 and had no trouble getting settled in to our lovely ground floor room which is surrounded by tropical vegetation. There’s a pool outside our room and a lovely covered communal sitting area with sofas.

We left at once walking into the town for lunch. We had Cajun hake and chips and shared a panzanella and we got a beer each. It took an hour to arrive. TIA - This Is Africa.

Vervet monkeys are playing with their young in the trees outside the lodge, Shona saw a warthog walking down the street and there are many signs warning about hippos at night. The town is very American looking - wide grassy bits down the side and trees etc though the houses have hippo proof fences.

We walked the 25 minutes to the Indian Ocean beach which was a glorious stretch of sand. Before long some of the others in the group arrived. Harry went in (S and I had had a paddle) and in minutes he was 50 yards down the beach. We found a safer place!