Birthday in the Caribbean

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me - blar blar blar. Birthday's were always such great fun back in the UK, all the sisters would get together, dress up, have a meal, go clubbing and of course have great presents to open. So when we moved to Dominica with no one else but ourselves Birthday's were not quite the same. I guess I just missed my sisters. This is my second Birthday in Dominica and I am sorry sisters but it has been the best birthday ever!!!!! It started a day before my actual birthday, Rhiann's friend Sam was turning 9 years old and his parents prepared a party on the beach in a beautiful small fishing bay called "Anse-Sol-Dat" (I think it is French for Bay of Sun. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong). Sam with all his friends took Kayaks out into the bay and the kids had such fun...all day long. As I stood watching them I could not retain my excitement......."I want a go, I want a go" and so I did, I kidnapped a Kayak and off I went into the sunset. I loved it, it reminded me so much of our family holidays in France, Ardeche with all my sisters and their kids. My youngest sister Debbie who had spent time in the Ardeche when she was younger arranged for the girls to go on a decent of 21 kilometres, nothing to it I hear you say. However, it was not just a paddle down a river it was navigating rapids of all kinds and I can tell you we got tossed out of the kayaks on many occasions and came very close to cracking our heads on the rocks jutting out of the river. After a full days paddling and 21 kilometres later we were battered and bruised but the experience was unsurpassable and I thank my sisters, Sam and Lu for all the laughs and oh yes stopping me from killing Debbie when she said we were half way when, in actual fact we had not even begun! Back in Dominica, as Sam's birthday came to a close my wonderful husband sensing an opportunity went off for a stroll and came back with two new red kayaks for my birthday - best present ever!

In comparison to the Ardeche, Dominica has many breath taking rivers that need to be explored by the Nerwal family but for now the kids are learning in Hodges Bay and on Hodges River which is safe and beautiful. Ethan and I kayaked out to "lost island", pulled the kayaks up on shore then swam in total isolation - what a life! Our dog Snoopy has adjusted rather well and proudly sits in the kayak afraid of missing out on the fun. The day of my birthday we packed a picnic with a chilled bottle of wine and spent the day at the beach paddling about in my new present.

The day after my birthday my friends planned a lunch, we made an effort to dress up (ditched the shorts and flip-flops for a day). We had a great girls day out at a very unusual restaurant (another experience to laugh about) ! They had all chipped in together and bought me a hand made bracelet of gold and silver to match some earrings I had purchased at Christmas. I just need an excuse to dress up again and wear it!

So my birthday's in Dominica are getting better as each year zooms by. I just don't know how next year can be any better!

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