ANTIGUA ....... March 2001 .... by Mike Scott

Antigua lies in the Windward Islands of the Caribbean Sea, an area famed for Pirates operating under the auspices of various Governments of their day. As one might expect the sand is silver - then you see that it is not really sand at all but very often it is tiny fragments of broken shells.

The Island is small and, unlike some Islands in that part of the world, not heavily populated. Places to visit include Nelson's shipyards in English Harbour, and the barracks and observations posts on Shirley Heights. These developments really are impressive, and more so when you consider when they were built, the lack of mechanical aids and so on. Antigua is a place for history buffs. The strategic position of the island was vital to England's domination of the Caribbean.

The view from Shirley heights.. English Harbour... the perfect refuge, wonderfully defensible:..and ...

Eric Clapton's retreat on the end of this promentary....

Down in English Harbour...

beautifully restored buildings that are now Museums in one of which you can see Nelson's bed....

Among the many striking features are these pillars which supported the sail loft where sailmakers worked long hot hours repairing and manufacturing all manner of sails for the English Fleet:

Jolly Harbour is a select little corner of Antigua, somewhat sterile and detached form the outside world. Antiguans enjoy probably the best level of income in this part of the world... There is very little actual poverty on this Paradise Island. Many years ago I worked in Barbados for a while and saw a great deal of contrast there in that over-crowded domain.

Sunset at the apartment...

Jolly beach is long and sparsely populated, no need to fight over the sunbeds...

...and that's the Jolly Divers boat loading off the beach.

This was a somewhat busy trip, so only six dives. All were on the south west corner of the island, although we researched other sites and will be researching more soon, in order to invite Club Members to a wide cross-section of dives on a week-long trip. (The "trip" was by way of JMC and they are about the same standard as Monarch, who service the Red Sea destinations. The fare was just £239 return flight only.)

Glasseye....

Goatfish....

So six dives, during which we met several Yanks and Brits and were actually guided by a Canadian! One of the Yanks was Judy Judd who is a keen, and accomplished, underwater photographer living in New York. We are indebted to Judy for the underwater pictures.

Stingray....

and a Squirrel fish...

One final word... when one is abroad, an English Gentleman must maintain his sartorial standards...

This gentleman, your Diving Co-ordinator (who is indicating the size of the sail loft support pillars), has obviously forgotten his duties as an Englishman abroad...	while your Publicity Manager is correctly attired as an Englishman in the Caribbean climate, as one might expect !

If you fancy Antigua let us know.

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