“Back to Basics” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

After all of the exertions of last week (going for the sympathy angle here) I have done (apologies for the language here) bugger all this week. This week I’ve got back to basics.

I’ve spent early morning ‘me time’ out on the veranda. The western, lagoon facing one, if you are wondering (and if you’re not it doesn’t matter because that’s still where I’ve spent it). Obviously it’s not just been me. Absolutely (doesn’t that sound terribly, terribly English) not. I’ve been joined by Mr iPad and Mr Black Coffee ( and no, I’m not a chauvinist). Oh, and Ziggy. But only only until he’s finished eating!

And, of course, I’ve had to go out for breakfast. Why? What? You expect me to make it myself? You obviously have NOT (sorry to shout) paid attention to previous editions or you’ve never found this blog before! If the latter, why had it taken you so long. And if the former, you must start paying attention.

On Tuesday, what with Estel’s Dine By the Sea being closed, a friend and I decided to give Di V’u a try for breakfast. If you’re not familiar with its location it’s at what was formerly Wet Willy’s dock.

It benefits from a very spacious dining area.

Some uncovered.

And a large seating area that provides protection from the sun.

There are some great views

The Lady Leslie getting ready for a trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley and Caye Caulker.

With all of this it was surprising that at 08.30 hours the restaurant was empty. We were the only people there!

So what to have?

We both ‘went’ for Huevos Rancheros with a side of bacon at BZ$28.

You’ll just have to trust me (or not), there was a side dish of bacon.

The service was exemplary ( but with only two of us in the restaurant it would have been difficult for it not to have been so) but I’m sorry to say that I’d only rate the food as OK. I’ll give it another go though because I’ve heard good reports. Next time though I’ll go for lunch or dinner.

Talking about food there’s a relatively new (around five weeks) Chinese take-away ( for non UK readers read take-out) in Boca del Rio (directly opposite Casa Pan Dulce) that’s well worth a try.

You might have to wait awhile for your order but it’s worth waiting for. And you can watch it being cooked in a well equipped and immaculately clean kitchen. Very reasonably priced too.

Also in Boca del Rio the Los Compadres bar has had an exterior facelift (no, I don’t know if the interior has had one. And even if I did I wouldn’t admit to it!).

Now Im intrigued. Are they going to employ some form of validation test? I mean, what constitutes a ‘big boy’?

The headline for today’s edition is based on the album released in 2006 by Christina Aguilera which reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the UK Albums Chart.

“Get Busy” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Regular readers may be wondering (or maybe not – can’t say that I blame you if that is the case) how I’m coping without Rose.

Now I could go for the sympathy angle ad nauseam but I’d be lying. It’s been easy. A doddle one might say. Well at least so far. Yes, I know she’s been gone less than a week but , so far, it’s been a breeze.

What to eat? Not a problem. Rose stocked up the freezer with pre-prepared meals for me before she left eg last night I had chicken curry Nepalese style. Cooked (OK microwaved) to perfection by me! Alright, so I had a little help.

But what to do whilst Rose is away? I decided to get busy. Occupying my mind and my time. Some weeding (topping up the tan and making the garden look a little, and I do mean a LITTLE, tidier. Some house cleaning (it wasn’t dirty but the sand and dust finds a way in). Ziggy does his bit on that front to ‘help’ the cause!

I’ve hosed down external paintwork where dead insects (don’t ask, I haven’t a clue what type) have built up . And I’ve made a start on cleaning the second floor windows. Oh, and I’ve also done one wash (coloureds, if you must know) and ironed it ( I’m not one of those people that can wear something – yes, even a T shirt – that hasn’t been ironed). And if that wasn’t enough I’ve managed to fit in a bath for Ziggy.

Now it’s understandable if you’re all wondering if I’m available for hire. He can cook (with assistance), he can do the washing and ironing, he does housecleaning , and he gardens. Well sorry to disappoint you. I’m not in the market for a job. I’ll stick with my ambition of helping loads and loads of you thinking of buying property in Belize through my involvement with Pelican Properties Limited/Belize Real Estate Limited (that’s got the plug out of the way so on with the storytelling!).

All this work though has required good stamina levels so I’ve been ‘forced’ to go for breakfast at

Estel’s Dine By the Sea every morning it’s been open.

But, even with all that I’ve been doing (feeling a little guilty Rose?) I’ve still found time to take a little drive around to see what’s going on.

Remember the two building projects I told you about in December? No. Well let me refresh your memory.

The new location for the Waruguma Restaurant in Angel Coral Street (back street).

Well look at it now.

And the extension to Super Buy (rumoured to be a cash & carry) also in Angel Coral Street.

And now

Doesn’t look to far away from being ready.

There’s also a new building going up on the lot immediately north of Annie’s Pastries in Lagoon Drive

which I am led to believe is going to be a supermarket. Further Chinese investment I understand.

It hasn’t all been work and no play for me though. Knowing that the Lobster Season was coming to an end on Saturday and won’t open again until 15 June I made sure that I got some for the freezer (there were some left Ed!).

5lbs of lobster tails.

And Ziggy and I had our Sunday ‘boys’ time out.

For Ziggy? A sleep.

And for me?

Oh, and I didn’t forget Rose either.

Delivered just for her on Saturday!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 2003 by Sean Paul which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the UK Singles Chart.

No Woman,No Cry” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

My ‘me time’ out on the veranda (you know which one) with the mug of black coffee just didn’t feel the same this morning even though my routine was the same as most mornings.

I was out there early – shortly after 05.00 hours- I had my iPad and Ziggy for company but it just felt different. A feeling of loneliness. The stark realisation that Rose had left us for a month finally truly hit me (and I think Ziggy too looking at his mournful eyes).

Rose and I have never really spent that much time apart in the thirty-five years we’ve lived together. I used to have the occasional business trip that might take me away for a few days, maybe even a week. And in 1995 I did spend eight weeks on an assignment in Dublin but Rose we weren’t apart all that time because Rose used to fly over every weekend. So I don’t suppose I should be surprised that it feels strange.

I became acutely aware of the sense of losing my Tweedle Dee ((obviously I’m Tweedle Dum(b?)) when we got ready to take Rose to catch her Tropic Air flight to Philip as.W. Goldson International Airport and I put her suitcases on the golf cart.

And I looked up and see that Ziggy knew something was up.

And then it was time to say goodbye.

When Rose got to the international airport she had a surprise waiting for her. A personal escort to the check-in desk. And a uniformed escort at that!

I wanted to make sure she got on that plane. Maybe I’m not so Tweedle Dum(b) after all!

Alone on the way home I stopped off to see the grill masters getting ready for the noon BBQ Cook Off at Estel’s Dine By the Sea. A cook off in aid of the Sunshine Scholarship Foundation.

I was tempted to grab a seat early but I just knew that I had a disconsolate Ziggy at home so that’s where I went . I was disconsolate too but for me it was a case of no woman, no cry.

I returned to Estel’s around two hours later when I found the event in full swing.

Ribs on the ‘go’.

Guests enjoying themselves whilst waiting for the ribs.

Eve Dirnback, one of the ‘Foundation’s organisers, taking time out for a photo session.

And then there was no time for photos. My food had arrived.

Now I approaching my tasting in a careful way. One bite from each and a score. Then I finished them off from left to right. And then time to make my vote for the People’s Choice.

I got the winner right and with Yellow I picked the eventual third place. But I didn’t choose Charles’ Green. Maybe I just eat at Estel’s too much!

If you want to support the Sunshine Scholarship Foundation then there’s an opportunity on 28 February when there’s another fundraising event. This time at Corona del Mar. If you do you can bid for some jewellery that Rose made for the auction.

The headline for today’s is based on the single released in 1974 by Bob Marley & the Wailers which reached number twenty-two on the UK Singles Chart (when re released in 1981 it reached number eight).

“I Want You Back” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

As the day when Rose leaves me to head off to the UK gets ever closer (tomorrow) the stark realisation (non UK readers delete the ‘s’ and replace with ‘z’) of what life without her for a month will be like is starting to dawn on me.

In between making the final arrangements for her trip Rose has set about with a real zeal to organise (same guidelines as above for non UK readers) and care for Ziggy and me in her absence.

Now she’s always liked a list but during the last few weeks she has really excelled herself.

I’ve got a list for Ziggy. What dates he needs which tablets or tick and flee treatment, when I’ve got to get his nails cut. A gentle reminder as to what food (special, special treats) he is to get on a Sunday. A reminder that I mustn’t forget to play with him. The list goes on (and on!).

There’s another list just for me. What food Rose has prepared for me ((well I did help with the vegetables – I am far from being an entremetier (yes, I did have to look that one up) but give me a knife and a potato peeler and I’ll ‘play’ happily for hours)). Contact numbers for everyone that Rose is visiting. And some that she might. Or might not!

It’s not I’m useless but I do need a bit of looking after. I suppose you could say I’m ‘heavy duty maintenance’. Well I was until Ziggy came along. Now I’m second division!

What I do know already though is that I’m going to find it very difficult when Rose and I have our FaceTime sessions (I suspect that they might be a daily occurrence -Belize Internet permitting) not to say to her ” I want you back” (right that’s the mushy bit out of the way – and the song title. Result!).

In between preparing the lists and my provisions for the next four weeks Rose has also spent lots of time with Ziggy (he really, really likes her as regular or frequent readers will know) to carry him through her absence.

Rose is the one wearing the sunglasses!

I’ve got my first lunch out shortly after Rose leaves me tomorrow when I’m going to the forth BBQ Cook Off, this one in aid of the Sunshine Scholarship Foundation,which is being held at Estel’s Dine By the Sea.

And this morning there after breakfast Charles was busy getting the grills ready.

Now this one really intrigues me. Made to the contestants specifications. And only finished yesterday!

I’m also pleased to report that my existence as a potential vote is known by the political parties because yesterday when we got home this

The PUP (People’s United Party) 2015-2018 Manifesto.

was waiting for me. It’s nice to be noticed.

Anyway, must bring this edition to an end. I’ve got some lists to read and memorise!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single reader in 1969 by The Jackson 5 which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the UK Singles Chart.

Oh and don’t forget, if you’re thinking of buying property in Belize do please give Pelican Properties Limited /Belize Real Estate Limited to help you find what you’re looking for. As Del Boy Trotterc would say “You know it makes sense”.

“It’s Over” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

It strikes me that for the last few editions I’ve been regaling (more like boring I suppose) you with tales of my medical woes.

For someone who, I’m pleased to say, has enjoyed good health through a forty-five year working career – two weeks off in 1971 to have a twice broken nose straightened and one day off in 1997 for twenty-four hour flu that, try as I might, I just couldn’t beat to go to work- the last few weeks have felt alien to me.

The latest malaise ‘hit’ me at the back end of last week when, and I haven’t a clue how, I managed to contract a cold. But this one was different. Way beyond that blocked up feeling. With this ‘baby’ I had pains in my middle back area, I was heavily congested and quite frankly I felt knackered.

I ‘soldiered’ through the weekend without the aid of medication but felt rough even though on Sunday I watched Arsenal trounce Aston Villa five goals to nil and then watched New England beat Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl at an extremely packed Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill where I ‘took’ BZ$50 off of Carlo for predicting that ‘England would be victorious.

Photo taken pre-game.

On Monday I went to Estel’s Dine By the Sea for breakfast (I felt rough but not that rough) before heading to Pelican Properties Limited/Belize Real Estate Limited for our weekly meeting. It’s a hard life helping people thinking of buying property in Belize!

I’m a great believer in “a little of what you fancy” (or a lot in my case!).

I met Matt , one of our Sales Consultants, on the way in and being the nice type he is ( he’s even nicer if you’re buying property from us) he asked me how I was. “Feeling like sh&%” I replied and then proceeded to provide him with a vivid description of my symptoms (just what he needed on a Monday morning – not). ” You need the Z Pack” he advised.

“What is it?” I asked. “Don’t know exactly” he responded, “But it’s a bit like napalm, it cleans everything out”.

So after the meaning I headed to the nearest pharmacy and got myself a Z Pack

and when home with my BZ$45 purchase (6 tablets) I took one of the pills and bingo. I could feel the effect straight away. A warning though – don’t take one on an empty stomach. They show no mercy.

It’s day three of the treatment and I feel it’s over. I’m virtually back to my normal self. Well, that’s if I can be described as normal. I’ll leave you to be the judge!

Feeling a lot perkier I decided to respond to the request that a reader of this blog made a few days ago for some follow up photos of the new paved road from my house up to the Palapa Bar turn-off. So here you are :

Looking north just after the Palapa Bar corner.

Looking south near the Palapa Bar corner.

New back road that runs past the Bamboo House. The barriers were up because the guys were still working on the road at the time.

Southern entry/exit point for the back road.

New road in use (shot taken this morning from my third floor terrace).

I’ve already mentioned that the Z Pack has already made me feel much better but if I needed a fillip I got it as I was leaving Estel’s this morning when Charles came up to me and asked me to be his guest at next Tuesday’s BBQ Cook Off fundraiser in aid of the Sunshine Scholarship Foundation.

Nice one Charles. I’ll have not long before said goodbye to Rose as she sets off for a month in the UK. And I get to go to Estel’s on a Tuesday!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1964 by Roy Orbison which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100.