Freezing House

Saturday looked like it was going to be freezing.  We woke up and it was so cold in the house that we went straight to the beach.  Our house is definitely the coolest house I have ever lived in.  And I have lived in some cold houses.  In the summer this is a blessing but when it cools down here it is unbearable.  Our temporary neighbours, holidaying till April from Ontario also could not be in their house.  And they think it is hot and lovely right now.  What this did mean is we had a great morning on the beach, building bear traps in the sand and practicing some yoga moves.  By the time we went back for lunch, it felt lovely (still not in the house) and we had a great day enjoying outside.

A picture-perfect day.

Sane Social Dinners

One of the reasons I loved teaching was the social side.  I was interacting with students and teachers all day long and that was the real joy of teaching.  Well, online learning has certainly managed to kill this.  Even when we are lucky enough to be in school it is not the same.  Everyone is in their bubbles and the interaction is minimum.  And now we are fully online for the foreseeable future and it is just terrible for everyone.  Without vaccinations, I do not see a way out of this mess for The Bahamas.  Hopefully, I am wrong.  To keep us sane this week we had two dinner parties.  On Wednesday, Jane, a new and very lonely teacher came for dinner.  I feel the worse for her.  We had a really good night and somehow I forgot to take a picture.  And last night Terry and Kendall came for a Sunday (well Thursday) roast dinner.  Kendall only just got back as she tested positive for Covid for weeks. It was great to welcome her back to the island.

A lovely evening.

First Diamond Day of the Year

It has been exceptionally warm this year.  Last year I could not believe how chilly it got on some days, and this year (so far) it has still been lovely and warm.   I am super happy to be able to use the beach, although there is no way I am going in the water.  This warm weather also allowed us to have the first beach Diamond day of the year.  Covid kept the numbers down but we still had a great day.

I do love a Diamond Day.

Andersen Christmas

I was super excited for our Andersen Christmas and to see our dear friends again.  They, as usual, put on a great spread and we had a lovely evening.  

And that is a wrap on Christmas 2021.

Online Learning

It came as no surprise to be told that we would be fully online with the students when we returned to school after the break.  The government claims it is for two weeks but I suspect it will be much longer than that.  Covid is all over the island and with no real hospital and a highly unvaccinated population I cannot see them allowing us back in.  This is terrible news for the children of The Bahamas, who have not seen in school learning for more than two years (they were already online due to Hurricane Dorian before Covid).  Some private schools have been able to be half online and half face to face most of this time but altogether not a great situation.  Last week was tough.  Trying to keep Sebastian off devices and teach has not been easy.  But we do run outside when we can and keep him entertained on the beach.

We have been building this 'bear trap' all week.  The water keeps coming up and setting us back but I am confident we will trap a bear in the next few days.

Friends Reunited

Alex, one of Sebastian's besties, and his family went to visit their family in Europe during the summer and ended up staying much longer.  I think it is almost six months since we have seen them. So yesterday we finally meet up for a play and some dinner.  Alex and Sebastian had the best time and we were so sorry to tell them we were leaving in the summer.  And watching Sebastian run on the big empty beaches equally made me quite sad about how different it will be next year in a concrete jungle.  I suppose it is hard to have it all.

But before we go, I intend to spend every minute on these beaches that I can.

Home Sweet Home

I love a holiday but I also love getting back home and back into a routine.  We have been so lucky to live in such a gorgeous place on a spectacular beach and I know I do not even realise how much I will miss it once we leave.  Therefore, I intend to take full advantage of it over the next six months.  This might be easier now that we are back online full time and I cannot think of a better spot for a tea or lunch break.

Lunch break.  It is a bit challenging with Sebastian not in school as well though.

My new desk.

And how wonderful to be back with Lola.  The pet sitters were fabulous and she seems 8 years younger.  She is full of beans, eating well and even spending unforced quality time with Sebastian!