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Graycliff

Graycliff Hotel, Nassau, Bahamas

XMarch 8, 2020

The legendary Graycliff Hotel in Nassau is in a class of its own.

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An exciting first for me! No, not the martini, I’ve had more than my fair share of those, I’m afraid. During my career I’ve been the editor of hundreds of magazines and journals, but this is the first book - and work of fiction - I’ve ever edited. It’s the debut novel by my cousin, Sandra, in Sussex in the UK. It’s a breezy rom-com set during the pandemic. Not my usual choice of reading material, I must admit (though I have read it eight times😅), but I really enjoyed the challenge of editing a novel, as well as supervising the talented art and production team on both sides of the Atlantic (love that cover - thanks, Joe). I am really proud of the final product. My cousin, who works full-time for the National Health Service, had talked about writing a book for decades. I always thought she had it in her and, finally, here it is. So, here’s to staying true to your dreams, stepping outside your comfort zone and always being open to challenging yourself. FYI, The Wrong End Of The Rainbow by Sandra Salter is now available at the YPS Publishing online book shop. 📖 @yorkpublishingservices @sussex_times #romancenovels #romcomfiction #romanticfiction #newnovels #bookediting #pandemicfiction #newchallenges #steppingoutofmycomfortzone #newauthor

For me, the perfect time to visit Barbados’ famo

Looking strangely contemplative considering I’m

Looking strangely contemplative considering I’m basically in my element, chilling at a laid back beach bar on a beautiful Caribbean island. Still there is lots to think about on a sunny late morning in Grand Case, St. Martin. Not the least of which is exactly which of the many excellent options, all just a brief beach stroll away, do I go to for a casual beachy lunch. Rainbow Café, Les Temps des Cerise, Tropic’s Beach Bar, Grand Case Beach Club…? Or I could stay exactly where I am. 😎 @discoversaintmartin @jesson.company @rainbowcafesxm @ltc_hotelsxm @tropicsbeachbarsxm @grandcasebeachclub #beachbars #sxm #grandcase #beachrestaurant #travellingcanadians #seniortravel #beachcruiser #tuesdaytravel

I originally posted this ‘artwork’ of mine a f

I originally posted this ‘artwork’ of mine a few months ago. Unfortunately, however, it suffered significant water damage during the summer. My first reaction was to throw up my arms, toss it and walk away. But the 28 or so years I spent visiting these places and the great memories we have of them - many of the most famous and best beach bars in the Caribbean - wouldn’t let me. So, I painstaking removed, repaired and/or replaced the damaged ones and here we are - Beach Bar Bingo Take Two. The silver lining is that I was able to add a couple of new (old) favourites to this version. 😎 🏝🍹. @beachbarbums @foxysjvd @thedunepreserveaxa @sunshineshack_ @gwensreggaegrill @bitter_end_yacht_club @gertrudesbeachbar @chrishibeachclub @woodstocknegril @nippersbeachbargrill @grabbersbar @lonestarbarbados @ltc_hotelsxm @beachbarstjohn @soggydollarbar @thenakedfishermanstlucia @seddysonelovebarandgrill @jacksbeachbar @sunshine_beachbargrill_nevis_ @elvisbeachbar @bikinisxm @basilsbarmustique #beachbar #caribbeantravel #bestbeachbar #ruminthesun #islandhopping #beachbum #barhopping

Dreaming I’m blissfully dozing on a peaceful san

Dreaming I’m blissfully dozing on a peaceful sandy beach on one of my favourite Caribbean islands, enjoying a cold Carib and listening to the waves rolling gently in. Oh, wait a minute…😁 Sadly, this photo was not taken recently. What does that mean? It means it’s time to start planning our next island getaway. Not that we ever really stop.😎 @auroraanguilla @caribbeercanada @anguilla_tourism @jesson.company #anguilla #worldsbestbeaches #rendezvousbay #caribbeantravel #britishwestindies #beachbum #seniortraveller #beachphotography #travelthursday #traveladvisors

11th November, Remembrance Day, is a time to honou

11th November, Remembrance Day, is a time to honour those who served - and the all too many who died - in the service of their countries during the two World Wars. There are so many stories to share. Take this gentleman, for example. As a lieutenant in the 13th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery, he landed on Juno Beach on D Day. Before the day was through, he was hit by six machine gun bullets; four in the leg, one almost severing his right middle finger (which later had to be amputated) and one, miraculously, bouncing off a metal cigarette case in his chest pocket. After convalescing in England, he transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force, where he took on the dangerous job of flying unarmed observation aircraft for the duration of the war, at one point earning the label of “the craziest pilot in the RCAF”. Luckily for us, Lt. James Doohan survived the war and went on to play the much loved ‘Scotty’ in the original Star Trek. He never boasted about his wartime experiences. Lest We Forget. @startrek @canadianlegion #remembranceday #veterans #rcaf #junobeach #dday80 #startrekoriginalseries #militaryveterans #canadianlegion #poppyday #november11 #lestweforget🌹

Apparently, today is National Shot Day. Even I hav

Apparently, today is National Shot Day. Even I have to admit that’s one of the lamest ‘National Days’ I’ve ever come across. Still, it gives me an excuse to post another photo of one of my all time favourite places - the one and only Dune Preserve in Anguilla🇦🇮. So, cheers to National Shot Day!🥃 (The Caribs are an added bonus… on me.) 😎 @thedunepreserveaxa @caribbeercanada @anguilla_tourism @auroraanguilla @jesson.company #nationalshotday #anguilla #beachbars #tequilashots #caribbeanbars #rendezvousbay #axa #cheerstotheweekend #caribbeantravel #bestbeaches #beachbarbums

Happy Hallowe’en! 🎃 After all, nothing says ‘spooky’ more than a black cat… and tequila shots. (Have to say, there was something just a little bit creepy - in a friendly kitty way, of course - about this Anguillian beach cat.) 🐈‍⬛👻🥃 @anguilla_tourism @thedunepreserveaxa @jesson.company #halloween #spookycats #anguilla #beachbars #blackcatsofinstagram #tequilashots #travellingcanadian #seniortravel #caribbeantravel

I can't let October slip by without acknowledging

I can't let October slip by without acknowledging Breast Cancer Awareness Month and putting out my annual reminder to all the men out there (and those who love them) that males are NOT immune. I should know, I was diagnosed a few years ago. It's rare, but it's out there guys! And finally, a salute to all those who have faced, or are facing, their own breast cancer journey. And especially to those lost along the way. Just too many. 🎗 @breastcancer_awareness @cancersociety @jesson.company @discoversaintmartin #malebreastcancerawareness #malebreastcancer #menshealth #sxm #stmartin ##seniortraveller #caribbean #bestbeaches #orientbeach

Thought I’d give a quick shout out to one of the

Thought I’d give a quick shout out to one of the unsung champions of our island hopping adventures - the venerable L’ Arhawak Bar & Restaurant on the waterfront in Marigot, St. Martin. This tried and true, unassuming little place has served us well over the years, being, as it is, perfectly situated, a stone’s throw from the public ferry docks. I still vividly recall our first visit, almost 20 years ago. There’s been many an occasion since then that we’ve pleasantly whiled away the time waiting for the ferry to Anguilla or taking a break on our return, or from shopping in Marigot. Often it’s been just a quick cold beer or two, while other times we’ve had the time to enjoy the excellent and varied offerings from their kitchen. Regardless of the length of our stay, we’ve always received a warm, cheery welcome. Like an old friend should.😎 @ilestmartin @ilestmartin @jesson.company #stmartin #marigot #islandrestaurant #caribbean #islandhopping #anguilla #travelthursday #waterfrontrestaurant #travellingcanadians

It was a beautiful day in Toronto yesterday, espec

It was a beautiful day in Toronto yesterday, especially for mid October. So if I couldn't be sipping a frosty Carib at the reopening of one my favourite island beach bars, I could at least take in the autumn colours and enjoy the sunshine, along with an excellent lager, at my local craft brewery, @greatlakesbeer. 🍺 #torontocanada #canadiancraftbeer #canadianfall #beer #etobicokebeer #etobicoke #pumpkin #mimico #thirstytraveler #torontobeer @greatlakesbeer @caribbeercanada

Happy Thanksgiving to all or Canadian family and f

Happy Thanksgiving to all or Canadian family and friends 🍁 - and to ALL our wonderful family and friends, wherever you are! Nice to see more places around the islands recognizing this day. Particular shoutouts to @brewerynevispeak and @nassauparrot. Enjoy! #canadianthanksgiving #travellingcanada #islandrestaurants #caribbeandining #celebrations

Always have mixed emotions this time of year. The

Always have mixed emotions this time of year. The weather at home is beginning to cool down and the prospect of a potentially long, chilly Toronto winter is on the horizon🥶. On the positive side, my Instagram feed is abuzz with news of reopenings around the islands, as resorts, restaurants and beachbars come alive for the new season. Including many of my favourites, like Anguilla’s famous Sunshine Shack 🇦🇮. That’s a warming thought😎. Time to dust off the guidebooks and start planning our next trip. A fun but problematic task - just too many places we want to go!🤔 @sunshineshack_ @anguilla_tourism @auroraanguilla @jesson.company #anguilla #beachbars #beachbarbums #rendezvousbay #bestbeach #ruminthesun #travelphotography #travellingcanadians #beachcomber #tropicalvacation #funinthesun

What could be better than being invited to the lau

What could be better than being invited to the launch of a great St. Lucian rum? Well, I guess attending the event in St. Lucia🇱🇨 might be one answer. But Toronto’s iconic Real Jerk restaurant was a great stand-in. The event marked the introduction of Chairman’s Reserve Legacy to the Ontario market. It was hosted by Jon from @sovereigncanada and featured terrific cocktails by Robin of @littlesisterto - a man who certainly knows his way around a bottle of rum. Thanks to both for a spirited evening.🥃 @realjerktoronto @chairmansreserveofficial @sovereigncanada @littlesisterto @travelsaintlucia #rumdrinker #stlucianrum #caribbeanrum #rumcocktails #thirstythursday #stlucia

I’m not really a pool guy, but I have to admit t

Happy 41st Independence Day to St. Kitts & Nevis!

Happy 41st Independence Day to St. Kitts & Nevis! Have been fortunate to visit both islands multiple times over the years, and always look forward to our next trip. Blessings to all in this beautiful and proud nation.🇰🇳 @nevisnaturally @stkittstourism @sknatoronto @leewardislandscharters @kpragency @magbrantley @drterrancedrew @montpeliernevis #stkittsandnevis🇰🇳 #caribbean #islandsailing #travellingcanadians #seniortraveller #stkittstours #stkittsindependence #bestislands

It was great to be back in Barbados🇧🇧after q

It was great to be back in Barbados🇧🇧after quite a few years, even if it was a last minute addition to our trip. Nice to visit a few of the classic places the island is famous for, like the charming Cobblers Cove, where we stayed. And there are so many great buzzy new restaurants. One of our favourites was the chic Sea Shed, just down the road from our hotel. (They make an excellent Smokey Mezcal Margarita, by the way.) Though we had a great time, we never lost site of the fact that we were only staying in Barbados due to the terrible devastation visited on our original target, the islands of the Grenadines, by Hurricane Beryl. Desperately needed rebuilding is continuing there through numerous official efforts, supported by many private initiatives, big and small. Two in particular that I am familiar with are Palm Island The Grenadines (our planned destination), who are spearheading an initiative to rebuild Union Island; and Tradition Sailing Charters Anguilla, who gather much needed relief supplies from Anguilla and surrounding islands, sailing them south to Carriacou, where their classic West Indian sloop was built. We have contributed to both in a small way (and they are still taking donations - see their individual Facebook pages for details). A salute to both, and to so many others who are pitching in. 🇬🇩🇻🇨 @palmislandgrenadines @cobblerscovehotel @traditionsailinganguilla @seashed_barbados @visitbarbados @puregrenada @discover.svg @barbadostravel #barbados #thegrenadines #hurricaneberyl #islandhopping #caribbean #beachbars #beachsiderestaurant #seniortravel #canadiantraveller

Wanted to share the second of two original waterco

Wanted to share the second of two original watercolours I bought from Canadian artist Scott Kish. Love this view of Nevis Peak from Pond Hill in Nevis, captured in or around Montpelier Plantation & Beach - one of our all-time favourite places to stay. Unlike the painting of Anguilla’s Dune Preserve, which was a custom work, this one was in Scott’s portfolio. But just like the Dune painting, it perfectly captures the essence of a place that is special to me. You can see more of Scott’s work, including his extensive Caribbean series, at @kish.scottkishstudio. 😎 @montpeliernevis @kpragency @nevisnaturally @stkittsandnevis.official #caribbeanart #nevis #islandscenes #islandart #nevispeak #luxuryresorts #watercolour

A dear (female) friend of mine calls me something

A dear (female) friend of mine calls me something of a “clothes horse”. Not sure I would agree 🙄. But on a sunny Toronto Sunday, I was in a distinctly island mood, so decided to put on my finest, classiest Caribbean togs! 😅 Luckily, I still had a couple of appropriate beers on hand - Red Stripe and, my particular favourite, Carib. Oh, and a belated Happy Birthday Gwen!🎂. Many Blessings from my wife and I. Long live the Reggae Grill! @gwensreggaegrill @foxysjvd @caribbeercanada @redstripe #beachbars #caribbean #islandhopper #labourdaycanada #backyardbbq #tackytshirts #canadiantraveller #torontosummer

Absolutely thrilled to purchase this original wate

Absolutely thrilled to purchase this original watercolour painting of the one and only Dune Preserve in Anguilla, circa 2010, by Canadian artist Scott Kish. Scott has a remarkable habit of painting places that resonate with me. His Caribbean series contains a number of paintings of places I have visited throughout the islands. This particular one wasn’t in his portfolio, but he was able to work from photos I have taken over the years. We’ve been visiting the Dune virtually since it opened. It’s had many faces over the years, but this particular one is extra special to me, and Scott has captured it perfectly. You can check out more of Scott’s Caribbean series and other work at @kish.scottkishstudio. 😎 @thedunepreserveaxa @anguilla_tourism @beachbarbums @omaribanksmusic @jesson.company @trueanguilla #anguilla #beachbar #caribbeanart #islandart #canadianartists #beachbumming #caribbean #tropicalparadise

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