Kiwis and Fairy Bread

24 May 2026

Our last morning in Bermuda, (for this trip at least). Out on the dock enjoying the last of our homemade granola, reading another chapter of our book, watching the boats pass by, I got a little teary. Not because our trip was almost over, but because of my dad.

When I was little my father’s idea of a family outing was to take my brother, sister and I to “watch the boats crash”. Standing beside the Point Pleasant Canal, we would watch boats go back and forth under the Route 88 bridge. Never crashing, never even coming close. They were the most boring hours of my childhood. Yet as my father aged, I quite enjoyed taking him to watch the boats crash. It is one of the last precious, happy memories I have of him. And sitting at the dock on St Georges Harbor, I finally understood why my father loved watching boats so much. I am so much like him.

Drying my tears I decided to go for a quick swim. We had taken little advantage of the private beach on the property, but on such a beautiful, calm morning, I couldn’t resist. Immersing myself in that clear aqua salt water felt very good.

It didn’t take us long to pack up and there was still a few hours until our flight. Mike wanted to develop his photos and I was a bit antsy. I went for a solo walk into town.

Again I smiled as I passed the large sign stating that St Georges is twinned with Lyme Regis. Mike and I were in Lyme Regis just two years ago (see posts dated 1 July 2024 and 7 July 2024). Sir George Somers was born in Lyme Regis and is considered a founder of the Bermuda colony (even though he ordered the other castaways to leave this paradise to try and save the sickly, starving and failing Jamestown settlement. Hey, would you want to leave Bermuda?).

We love Lyme Regis! I even sent a post card from there to Nicole and Warren here. The two make sensible twins: both have a long history and nice beaches.

After walking the circumference of Ordnance Island, I noticed that the town hall, newly painted for the recent visit of King Charles, did not for a change, have tourists taking photos in front of it. The entrance was clear so I went in.

A poster hung at the entrance with photos of the mayor and council. I recognized the mayor! We had met Quinelle on our previous two trips, and swam with her at St Catherine’s. She had fought against the building of the St Regis Hotel and lost that fight. She then took a break from local politics. I’m glad to see she’s been elected once more. Quinelle is a good person.

On the walls of the council chamber hung drawings and poems by the local school children. They were wonderful! These kids really capture the town and its spirit (as you can see in the pics below).

I stopped into an art gallery and bought a small print by a local artist. I asked the woman selling it to me about Quinelle and the St Regis. She said that the St Regis patronized the local merchants and spent big money. Quinelle had feared that would not be the case, so I feel a bit better about it all now.

Now on my walk I kept wanting to help people. I gave several tourists directions. Some didn’t even need them. I had to tell myself that I am not Bermudian! Clearly, it was time to go home.

By the time I had reached Hard a a Lee a sailing race was going on in the harbor. Mike was watching it when I arrived. We missed the end because Luci had come out to kindly take us the airport. A last look at our paradise and warm wishes all around. We’ll keep in touch for sure.

Flight info at our airport gate stated that the temp in NJ was 51 degrees F (just 11 C)! Our vacation really was over. Onto the plane. The pilot warned us that there would be major turbulence because of a storm off the coast of NJ. Tightly strapped in, Mike took some great pics out the window as I knitted a second washcloth to send to Nicole.

An hour in, the pilot announced “Turbulence in ten minutes. Flight attendance to their jump seats. All passengers must stay seated”, We ran to he bathroom with some others (fortunately we always sit in the back). The plane jostled Mike and I as we got back into our seats. I wrapped my cloak around me and tightened my seat belt. Images of the two recent crashes at Newark flew into my mind. “Well, if I am to die now” I thought, “at least it was after a wonderful vacation. And I am with Mike, In my cloak. I will be fine.”

And it all was, of course. Not so bad. The map showed that the pilot made a sharp left turn to avoid the worst of the storm.

Newark was cold, wet, gray and raining. Ben graciously picked us up, dealing with the-always-insane airport pick up traffic (people are so clueless! Couldn’t you just pull up a few feet?).

Apparently Somerville had extreme weather while we were away on vacation. It went from 95 F (35 C) one day to 55 F (13 C) the next. Once home I immediately put on my fleece lined jeans and a sweatshirt. Mike got us all some Chinese take out and as we ate, we shared our experiences with our son.

Ben pointed out that in exactly three weeks (just 11 days as I am finally writing this post) we all leave for Montana. And before Montana is my weekend at 4-H Camp. Good times ahead!

By 9pm Bermuda time (only 8pm here) I was already tired. I put on some of India’s Lavender Vanilla Body butter and breathed in its scent. As I faded off I imagined the song of tree frogs.

Thank you Bermuda. See you again.