Time away in the sun.

wow what an idyllic place. so glad you celebrated your special day in style.

I'm reading this as we are getting hit with our first snowstorm. Happy Belated Birthday. I hope you enjoyed your trip to St. Lucia.

Belated Happy birthday Wildrose. What a glorious place lots of beautiful lants and views. I bet you thought you arrived in paradise

Chris, is that Sandals near Castries? If it is...that is where we had our honeymoon! 30 years ago this year!

Not at Sandals Karen but at a hotel called Rendezvous, also in Castries. What a perfect destination for your honeymoon.

Thrupennybit, the staff at the hotel were second to none and did all they could to make sure that everyone had a really good holiday.

Bathgate, I hope your first snow storm is going to be short and sweet! Thank you for your kind birthday wishes.

Seaburngirl, it was a special treat for me and I couldn't help but keep thinking ' This is a one off, so make the most of it!'

Hope you had a great birthday, what a lovely place away for the British weather.

Yes, we were at Halcyon Beach which is just the next hotel along the road. It was great. We've been to St Lucia 6 times altogether, but it has changed so much now. I don't think we will go back. There is quite a lot of crime now, whereas in the 80s there was hardly any crime at all and you could go safely most places. Since then the Americans have come in and taken over most of the Island. There are some very shoddy business practices on these Islands nowadays and the locals are badly used. Mind you...I'm certainly not saying the Brits behaved any better. But I think in the earlier days of its independence the Island did better.

Belated Birthday wishes to you both, it looks absolutely wonderful, a trip to remember..

Siris, we did pick the right time to get away which was more by luck than good management. Fortunately everything at home was safe and sound when we were away.

Karen - we were there ten years ago at the East Winds and did most of our sight seeing on that holiday. This time we didn't move far at all because we had been to the main tourist places. The people we did meet were delightful and it is sad to think that some of the locals are not treated fairly.

Thank you for my birthday wishes. I spent my actual birthday with our family and that was really special too. For once, January was a good month!!!

What beautiful pictures Chris ! I am so pleased you and John had a lovely time and a special memory for your special birthday. Sending a pm now ! xxx

Julia, it was nice to see so many of our indoor plants flourishing outdoors and growing so huge! It was very hot so the shade was pleasant! Taking photos was about as energetic as I managed to get!

Rose, we did have a lovely time but I just can't get the washing dry now that we are home!!! We are now beginning to get the garden into shape and it has been a good week so far out there.

Thank you for taking me there WR! Worth every minute of the flight time. What wonderful flora and that beach, ahhhhh!

What a beautiful place, and very colourful. It's nice to relax in the sun :)

Thank you for inviting us Chris it saved us a long journey it looks absolutely gorgeous ,paradise in fact ,what a wonderful place to spend your birthday , I'm glad you enjoyed it ,Please can you pack me in your bag next time Lol

Waddy, glad you liked the photos. It was the warmth that felt so nice although on our first Sunday it rained all day - warm rain though!
Hywel, it was very beautiful and the locals were so kind and friendly and welcoming.
Amy, would love to take you with me but I shall be staying nearer home for quite some time! Does Cornwall appeal?!!

Belated Birthday Greetings W'rose, a beautiful place to celebrate, I enjoyed seeing your lovely photographs...

Thanks Lincslass, I am glad that you liked the photos. I am now at the stage of thinking 'Was I really there?' Then I look at the pile of ironing and know that I really was!!

Enjoyed my virtual tour. Thank you, Wildrose. Your images have the "wow" factor.
Happy Belated Birthday Wishes.

Thank you Eirlys, it was easy to take lots of pictures because the beauty was all around me!
However the joy of seeing early spring flowers over here is even better somehow!

Wow,a lovely blog,and stunning Photo's Chris...Sorry I'm late in replying,again !. It looks to be an ideal way to spend some of the winter,and so glad you enjoyed your special Birthday,apart from the flight of course..:o( Rest,relaxation,warmth of the people as well as the weather..what else could you wish for? If you don't mind some excess baggage,that will be me,sneaking in with Amy :o)) xxx

Cornwall would be perfect Chris it's years since we last visited its a beautiful area , Sandra we must remind Chris to pack a very big bag Lol :o) x

I think we could have a great time the three of us!!!

Thanks Sandra, it was a special treat and it won't be happening again any time soon!! The piggy bank is empty!! But I am sure we could all have fun closer to home, we're easily pleased!

What fabulous photos to view on a chilly February day! So pleased you had a great holiday ... the closest we have come to that is watching the cricket on TV against the Windies!!

The red tree in the 3rd pic foreground just caught my eye. Adds a nice accent to the garden.

Shirley, when we watched the cricketit was hard to believe that we were there the week before - aah well!

Bathgate that tree was the only one in the grounds with that colour and it did stand out. Been home for two weeks now and I seem to have lost my tan and caught a cold!!

Oh, sorry about that - 'Tis the season. Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you, :-)

Wildrose.. those are wonderful photos ...
super holiday !

Thanks Terra, glad you liked them.
A lovely Spring like day here today to enjoy too.