Tim Lynette Wilkins | FindPenguins

Family fun in the Caribbean Путешественник
Last days
1 июня, Англия ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
Saturday centred around watching Arsenal play in the Champions league final against PSG which here was on tv at 12.00 midday. Before that the Armstrongs managed to climb both hills on Pigeon Island- an impressive feat especially in this heat. Sadly Arsenal didn't manage to make everyone happy. We dressed up and stayed in the hotel to eat for our last night and had the worst meal of the week - slow service and cold food.

On Sunday, our last day, we had to check out at 12.00 but spent the rest of the time on the beach with a delicious lunch at the Callalou restaurant- only open till 5pm so not available in the evening. It's puzzling how two restaurants in the same rest can be so different. It was difficult dragging the kids out of the sea to change for our transfer to the airport at 4.30.

The flight was delayed an hour but took off at 9.45pm and landed at Gatwick at 10.15 am. Most of us managed to sleep a bit but we're glad to reach home about 1.00pm.

A wonderful trip with some very happy memories.Читать далее
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Family fun in the Caribbean Путешественник
Snorkeling and street party
30 мая, Сент-Люсия ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
Yesterday morning we took a tour to the local dive centre at pigeon point to go snorkeling. They provided all the gear and two guides and we spent an hour in the water. At first it was quite murky then it cleared and we got to see plenty of fish and coral. parrot fish, trigger fish, lots of sergeant major fish , even a squid. After we moved on round the end of the point it got choppy and very murky again so less easy to see the fish.

In the evening it was the friday night street party again, so we walked into town and ate at some on the stalls. It's Andy and Natalie's wedding anniversary and when we got back we found that some of the staff had decorated the room, put up balloons and delivered rich chocolate truffles. Really nice!Читать далее
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Family fun in the Caribbean Путешественник
Beach morning
28 мая, Сент-Люсия ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
After we all had a busy day yesterday we spent the morning just on the beach, building a sandcastle, which was finally built in time for lunch, just as the tide came in!
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Family fun in the Caribbean Путешественник
The trip to Hotel Chocolat
27 мая, Сент-Люсия ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
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Family fun in the Caribbean Путешественник
Two busy days
27 мая, Сент-Люсия ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
Yesterday, after we had a swim before breakfast, the Armstrongs went to a nearby water park where they did a circuit of inflatables - like bouncy castles in the water. They had good fun. Meanwhile we went to a Massy supermarket to restock and were shocked to find the shelves has lots of Waitrose own brand stuff. Home from home.
Later the kids went to kids club and produced great tie-dye T shirts before going kayaking and messing about in the water.
In the evening Nat and Andy had a romantic dinner at the sushi restaurant to celebtheir wedding anniversary this week - 16 years!
We and the kids stayed in and had room service.
Today the Armstrongs went on a full day trip to the Hotel Chocolat estate to learn about and make chocolate. This included boat there and back with snorkeling and party on the way back.
We had a much more sedate historical tour of the north half of the island which ended with a hike up to Fort Rodney at the tip of Pigeon Island.Читать далее
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Family fun in the Caribbean Путешественник
Bank holiday Monday
25 мая, Сент-Люсия ⋅ 🌬 27 °C
It's a bank holiday here too, which we didn't realise until we walked to the bakery and found it closed. Luckily the owner was there doing some alterations and she baked us some croissants and baguettes - so kind. And they were delicious. The kids went to kids club for the first time and particularly enjoyed a lesson in the Creole patois spoken in St Lucia. This afternoon Nat and Emily went to the spa and had massages.
Thankfully the noisy French teens went home to Guadelupe. Apparently they were all here for some powerboat event where their dad's were showing off their noisy fast boats, thankfully not in our bay.
Today we got a beautsunset, such a contrast to the same view in the rain.
We went into town hoping to go to a local restaurant for dinner but they were all closed for the bank holiday but our taxi driver took us to a local food court where there were several food shacks and we had a really tasty meal.Читать далее
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Family fun in the Caribbean Путешественник
Contrasts
24 мая, Сент-Люсия ⋅ 🌬 27 °C
Last night the hotel put on entertainment in the restaurant area. The steel band was good but only on for a short time. It was followed by pyrotechnic limbo dancers who were spectacular. The kids loved it. Later it descended into noisy French pop - there are a lot of French tourists from Martinique which is the nearest island only 20 miles away. Thankfully the noise all stops at 9.30 whe the restaurant closes.

This morning after Nat and Andy did circuits in the gym the Armstrongs went to church in the nearby town - and sat through an hour long sermon. The weather had been pleasant and sunny all morning but as we walked along the beach to a nearby restaurant it started raining and it has hardly stopped all afternoon, often really torrential. So we got soaked on the way there and the way back, warm rain but still wet. Thankfully the meal was really good so worth it. All this when we hear there are heatwaves at home!Читать далее
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Family fun in the Caribbean Путешественник
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Party night and the weather
23 мая, Сент-Люсия ⋅ 🌬 27 °C
Friday night in Gros Islet is Jump up street party night which has been happening every week for over 50 years. We wondered if it was something put on for the tourists but clearly not. Locals come from all over the island and party until the small hours with lots of stalls of street food, loud music and dancing in the streets. We walked into town just before sunset and had a look around. It's a poor town with mostly wooden shacks but plenty of life.

Unfortunately soon after we got there the heavens opened and sauntering around the stalls was less attractive. So we went into a local restaurant and had a tasty meal of fried catch of the day ( marlin and king fish) and fried chicken - and some excellent margaritas! We were all still tired so got a taxi back to the hotel.

The weather is typically tropical for this time of year - long sunny spells with frequent clouds providing relief from the heat - and occasional downpours. This afternoon I was swimming in the sea when a downpour came and soaked my stuff on the sunbed as well as me!Читать далее
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Like your shirt Tim 😍 x [Davina]
24.05.2026ОтветитьПереводить
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Family fun in the Caribbean Путешественник
First day in st lucia
22 мая, Сент-Люсия ⋅ 🌬 27 °C
After a long LONG day yesterday we were all shattered last night, but up bright and very early for a swim in the ocean before breakfast - a huge buffet breakfast, I don't think I'll eat for a week!

The hotel is magnificent and just perfect. The weather is hot and sunny but with patchy clouds - also perfect! Finlay and Emily have been swimming in the carribean all morning, when they weren't in the pool!. So far it's just what we all wanted!Читать далее
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Family fun in the Caribbean Путешественник
Arrival
22 мая, Сент-Люсия ⋅ 🌬 27 °C
The 8 and a half hour flight was less tedious than expected due to copious use of seat back screens to watch movies and play games. However the private transfer to the hotel at the opposite end of the island took 2 hours mainly due to a slow traffic jam for half of it. This meant we arrived at the hotel at 6pm, just before sunset, preventing a quick swim.
But the hotel more than made up for the disappointment. It is gorgeous. We have 3 bedroom apartment on the beachfront, each room en-suite, a living room, kitchen and enormous terraces. Probably the most luxurious place any of us have stayed in. Despite it being midnight UK time we managed a light supper at the beach restaurant in temperature of 25C with a lovely breeze.Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
More museums
11 марта, Испания ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
So this morning we went back to the archaeological museum to finish the stuff we didn't do yesterday. We skipped the Islamic period and more modern Christian bits, and spent two hours in the roman, visigoth and Egyptian sections. Afterwards we went to the Museo Thyssen Bornemisza, which is a huge art gallery, and had a couple of hours doing about half of it , from the 13th century up to impressionist, with a bit of twenty century modern art thrown in. It's a really good museum, but strangely few highlight pieces, and in the end we'd had enough and gave up.Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Madrid
10 марта, Испания ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Our transfer from Cordoba to Madrid went smoothly yesterday - by taxi and high speed train, along the stretch of line where the dreadful accident occurred in January.

Our hotel in Madrid is comfortable and in a great position overlooking the Retiro Park. Today we went to the National Archaeological Museum and spent over three hours before giving up, planning to return tomorrow. We covered one and a half floors containing amazing finds from prehistoric and protohistoric eras, we learned lots of new stuff about the cultures that developed in the Iberian peninsula. We only have one and a half floors left to do tomorrow covering Roman, Visigoth and Medieval periods in Spain, then Egypt and Near East. It's all beautifully displayed and labelled in both Spanish and English but there is so much it gets confusing.Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Bye to Cordoba
8 марта, Испания ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
On the whole the trip to Cordoba has been disappointing mainly due to the weather. It has been cloudy and cool every day with occasional light drizzle. As Cordoba is supposed to be the sunniest place in Spain, and has been lovely when we have been here before even in February, we feel cheated. Until late this afternoon when the sun came out and we enjoyed half an hour on the roof terrace.

Yesterday we visited the Archaeological Museum and it seems even better than before with excellent labelling in both Spanish and English. More stuff than Jerez but not as much as Cadiz. The next visit to the art museum was almost a waste of time even for Tim. The paintings were poor quality though we discovered one new artist that wasn't bad.

Today was a real disappointment as we had been looking forward to seeing Medinat Alzahra again. It was built in 940ad by Abd Al Rahman as his new capital and it was spectacular. We last went 18 years ago when you could wander over the whole site and watch the archaeologists restoring items. This time two thirds of the site is closed off for restoration and much of the rest is roped off so you have to follow a set route. They have built a big new reception centre and site museum but following the storms it is leaking water everywhere.

The good thing about the trip has been the food. Despite this now being a tourist town we have had some excellent meals.Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Cordoba mosque and roman bridge
6 марта, Испания ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
This morning we returned to visit the mosque/cathedral in cordoba. It's one of our favorite buildings ever, and worth seeing every time we come, despite the hoards of tourists. The mosque was built in stages from 786 AD to 991 AD, and after the moors were ejected from spain the catholics built their cathedral slap in the middle of it. Afterwards a quick walk along the bank of the river to look at the roman bridge. It says alot for roman engineering that's still standing- the floods here this winter were so deep the river was high enough to cover the bulwarks and almost up to the top of the arches.Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Arrival in Cordoba
5 марта, Испания ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Sad to leave our apartment in Jerez but hoping to return next year.
The train journey was below the standard we usually expect on Spanish trains - the carriages felt old and rattled a lot and worst of all arrived half an hour late. The train kept slowing to a crawl - maybe due to the speed restrictions following the dreadful crash in January.
We are a bit disappointed with our new apartment. It's hard to say why but the kitchen is not well equipped and there is a musty smell in the wardrobe. The roof terrace would be lovely if we had some sun.......Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Last day in Jerez
4 марта, Испания ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
Although we have had lovely weather for the last two weeks today, our last day in Jerez before moving on to Cordoba, there is another named storm - Regina. It was forecast to rain all day but after heavy rain this morning it has cleared up and there is even some sun. However the clouds going by are spectacular formations and vary from fluffy white to black.
Tomorrow we catch the train to Cordoba and it seems the storm is coming with us. The forecast is for rain all 3 days we are there. Hey ho.Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Saying goodbye to Davina
2 марта, Испания ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
Friday was a gentle day at home. We all went down to the Market and had churros y chocolate for breakfast. After a trip round the fish market to choose dinner, Davina took herself to the Alcazar as its 10 years since her last visit. Lunch on the roof terrace in the sun and dinner at home.

Saturday we had a lovely lunch at Gabrielas before putting Davina in a taxi for the station. Her train to Seville and late flight to Gatwick were on time and she was home in Lewes just after midnight,

A normal Sunday with church and football though lunch in the sun at Albores was strange. When we ate there a couple of weeks ago we were the only customers between 8.00 an 9.30. They also had what looked like a staff meting with a boss after which the waiters were not happy. Yesterday it was as packed as usual but the waters seemed stressed, kept getting orders wrong and they didn't have any of my favourite puntillitas left! Food was still good. Jerez second team won again though Tim's favourite could only manage a 0-0 draw and may get relegated.

Now we have the depressing task of prep to leave. As always it's gone too fast though we are looking forward to Cordoba.Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Daytrip to the seaside
26 февраля, Испания ⋅ 🌙 16 °C
Actually not quite the seaside, sanlucar de barrameda, which has fantastic beaches but really it's the mouth of the quadalquivir river from seville. Bus from jerez takes about 50 minutes and costs just 2 euros . A little walk along the prom then up into the city for tapas at first one, then two of our favourite bodegas. Buy a bottle of manzanilla, which sanlucar is the centre of, and some lunch on fantastic seafood, prawns, langostines, clams - we must bring finlay!Читать далее
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These photos bring back the warmth of the sun and the taste of sherry!!! Thank you both for a wonderful time xx [Davina]
12.03.2026ОтветитьПереводить
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Museum and tapas
25 февраля, Испания ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
This morning lynette and davina went to the jerez museum. I didn't go as I went a couple of weeks ago, but I met them for lunch at the fundador bodega where the food is superb (and the sherries also!)

Tomorrow we are planning to take a bus to the beach at sanlucar de barrameda for a day trip.Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Davina arrives
24 февраля, Испания ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Over the weekend we went into the fish market and bought boquerones (anchovies) to cook for dinner , and some fantastic white prawns. Then on Sunday a trip to see xerex deportivo at the main jerez football stadium. My favourite Spanish football team, but not doing well at the moment and could be relegated, I think for the first time ever!

On Monday we had lunch in a little tabanco in the local square in the sun. Good food and a bill of only 30 euros.

Davina arrived yesterday in seville, and came down on the train this afternoon. She will stay for a few days, for some warmth, sun, good food and sherry!Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Things we always do
20 февраля, Испания
After the beautiful day on Tuesday, Wednesday was dull cloud all day so I went on the bus out to the Area Sur shopping park. There are lots of shops, many have moved out of the centre leaving empty buildings. It was not very exciting and I didn't buy much.

Thursday returned to lovely weather and we had to use sun screen! In the evening we went to what we consider the best restaurant in town - La Carbona. They do a six course tasting menu, each course accompanied with a matching sherry. This year it was a completely new menu and was as good as always - so were the sherries. We have discovered many of our favourite sherries from these tastings and last night there were a couple more.

This morning we had our first breakfast of churros and chocolate down by the market before buying fresh anchovies and prawns for dinner. The was a busking flamenco group to serenade us.Читать далее
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Yum! [Andy]
20.02.2026Ответить
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
A perfect Jerez day
17 февраля, Испания ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
At last today the weather was perfect - sun, blue skies and 19c all day. So we did absolutely nothing and just enjoyed it.

This evening went to a tapas bar that has eluded us before as they were always on vacation - Las Banderillas - a bull fighting themed place with traditional, simple tapas but really good, and packed with locals and some tourists in town for the flamenco festival. Afterwards we called in to El Pasaje for the flamenco set and it was good as always but surprisingly empty. I guess the afficionados are at the various performances around town.Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
A day in the sun!
15 февраля, Испания ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C
It looks like we will have a few days of sunshine so we spent some time yesterday enjoying it. There was still a cold wind but out of the wind it was lovely. When i went for a walk in the afternoon I passed a brass band parading through the streets. This evening it was just about pleasant enough to have an evening sherry on the terrace - briefly.

Today, Sunday, the wind seems to have dropped . Last Sunday the Central part of the cathedral was cordoned off as rain was coming in through the dome caught in buckets. Today it was open with large plant pots replacing the buckets. Lunch at Fundador was good though the new menu omits many of our favourite tapas.

This evening I went to a football match to watch jerez industrial (jerez's third team) against Barbate in the andusia third division. It was a good game and jerez won 3-0. The stadium is open and it was nice in the sun but got very cold when the sun went down!Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Sunshine at last!
12 февраля, Испания ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We've been here a week already and it's rained pretty well all that time, but today has been dry and the sun even came out a bit at lunchtime. Thunderstorms and rain again tomorrow but after that the forecast is for a few days of sun.

Yesterday we went to a visit and tasting at bodegas lustau, one of the bigger jerez bodegas. We've been there before but it seemed a good thing to do out of the rain. It was OK, the sherries mostly aren't ones we particularly like and we were in a tour of 18 people so it was just OK, but at least out of the rain.

One useful bit of information was to discover which of their sherries are supplied to Waitrose. Waitrose own brand sherries are from Lustau and the oloroso is the Don Nuño brand - which is the one we liked!Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
First week
10 февраля, Испания ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
We have been here for almost a week and it has been, by far, the worst weather we have experienced here. Every day has been cloudy and it has rained either constantly or intermittently, often really windy too. This has meant that we haven't wanted to venture out except for essentials and as wandering round the streets of the old town is one of the pleasures of being here, it has not been fun. We have felt trapped in our apartment which, though comfortable, gets boring.
This evening started dry and we went first to a tabanco we haven't tried before which was closed for vacation (as last year) so went to an old favourite - Almacen - which is just a beautiful space. The food is good too. On the way home we stopped in the Tabanco Plateros for an oloroso (1.80 euro a glass) at the end of the street where we used to stay.
Then it started to drizzle for our walk home.Читать далее
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Jerez 2026 Путешественник
Tuesday
10 февраля, Испания ⋅ 🌬 17 °C
The sky is still completely clouded over, but at least the wind has dropped and the rain is only occasional bits of drizzle. The forecast is that it could be sunny more next week but that seems a long time away!

Today I braved the drizzle and walked across the city to the archaeological museum. I've been many times before but it's a nice small museum and I always find something I haven't seen before ( or least I don't remember seeIng!) Today they were having problems with the electricity and the top floor lights were off while they tried to fix it. Maybe the rain got in somewhere!Читать далее
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