| Travelling somewhat light since the Memsahib | | | | swimming pool, and a cool, wide patio where I ate |
| pushed herself off the old mortal whatsit, I | | | | my breakfast most mornings. |
| pitched up in Antigua looking for a little peace and | | | | Antigua has to be one of the lovliest places on |
| quiet, a bit of a sanctuary in which to rest my old | | | | earth to spend a holiday. The bright blue of the |
| skeleton. Not quite in my dotage, although almost, | | | | sea and the endless blue sky are just two |
| and not yet resolved to spending the best half of | | | | reasons for this, and the jolly little bars round the |
| every day thrashing about in a rocking chair with | | | | beach areas proved an excellent pit stop for me |
| the Times crossword, I felt I wanted something | | | | to while away the afternoons. I consumed large |
| more than the usual hotel room with 24 minute | | | | amounts of pink gin, flirted shamelessly with a |
| room service and a mouldy croissant chucked | | | | surprisingly youthful granny from Budleigh |
| through the door on demand each morning. | | | | Salterton and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Not a |
| My friend Fruity Smyth-Wiggins always swears by | | | | Scrabble board in sight. |
| any five star hotel on his club's recommended list. | | | | I had to hurry to get everything in that I wanted |
| He says you know where you are with a referral. | | | | to do before the holiday came to an end. I |
| Discounts for members are thrown around like | | | | managed to visit the Sugar Mill and Shirley Heights |
| jelly babies at certain times of year and you can | | | | on my last two days and yet found myself |
| always pick up a bit of a bargain for the summer | | | | wistfully wondering whether I could extend for a |
| jaunt if you are in the right place at the right time. | | | | few days. |
| Fruity tends to go in for rather more tranquility | | | | I took the plunge (figuratively I assure you) and |
| than I can stand, though. Still, if you like boring | | | | chartered a boat. I came home after a day's |
| yourself to death for three weeks playing | | | | sailing, refreshed and invigorated and looking |
| Scrabble and drinking formaldehyde with a brigade | | | | forward to dinner. Everything is so bracing in |
| of old dears, Fruity is the man to see about it. | | | | these beautiful islands, swept by the trade winds |
| I decided this year to try something completely | | | | and warmed by the sun for so many summer |
| new and booked myself a private holiday home in | | | | months. The food just tasted better to me, |
| Antigua. This was the best decision I made since | | | | perhaps because I was having such a great |
| the flu jab I can tell you, the house was terrific, | | | | holiday. There was always someone to have a |
| there was plenty to do, plenty to see and loads | | | | drink with, that's what I liked. |
| of lovely restaurants to visit. There was a private | | | | I invited Fruity to come with me next time. |