1990, June – Gateshead Garden Festival
The fourth of five UK National Garden Festivals between 1984 and 1992, for regeneration of areas of derelict land in Britain’s industrial districts. This one was held between May and October, with over three million visitors. We stayed overnight in a hotel so that we could have a full day at the Festival. Very worthwhile. Photograph of one of the exhibits (above) – the Lambton worm.
1990, July – Centre Parc at Nottingham
Second visit to a villa for a week. Ian and David in the subtropical swimming paradise. All together for a meal out on the last evening.
1990, November – Grenada, Caribbean, and sail to Grenadines
Top deck of the 747 again, then one week in a chalet on Grand Anse Beach, with our own jacuzzi. Good swimming, but disappointing attempts at wind-surfing. Tour around the ‘Spice Isle’ to see the numerous nutmeg plantations.
Then a marvellous week on a yacht with a professional crew (Graham and Lesley) and two other guests. We sailed from Secret Harbour, north through the Grenadines, the chain of islands between Grenada and Saint Vincent. We had to land on five of the larger ones, as they had their own passport controls (to make money from tourists) and even passers-by had to have their passports stamped. There was an amusing incident at the first island we called at, Carriacou. The clerk in the passport office laid the six passports on the table and kept looking out the window. When we asked him what the problem was, he said: ‘You see that cruise-boat out in the bay – the man with the only rubber stamp has gone out to it to stamp their passports – you’ll have to wait for his return.’ Lesley produced miniature turkeys for Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday of November. Photo of the yacht anchored for us to swim near the private island of Petit Saint Vincent, where we landed briefly before returning south to Grenada and home via Heathrow.