This assignment came about when we met Melinda on a previous house/pet sitting for one of the neighbours. She was one of our emergency contact people.
She invited us along to see her home, Kyansyel, and asked if we would be interested in looking after her dog Lolly (Lao), an adorable Maltese Terrier and her Cat Gwizzy for 8 weeks whilst she went back to the UK for a visit. Once we recovered the ability to speak, having seen the house and the views, we jumped at the chance. (It’s something for Tom to be speechless so that give you an idea of what an amazing place this is)
As mentioned the house name is Kyansyel, which means “The House in the Sky” in Creole. Very aptly named. Kyansyel sits perched high on a ridge with breathtaking views over Marigot Bay, out to sea and over the lush green landscape to the mountains beyond.
Complete with beautiful landscaped gardens (maintained by Clary the gardener), a large swimming pool and huge verandah and outdoor areas. A truly amazing living space with breath-taking views. Shelley, the cleaner, popped in twice a week to maintain this stunning home. Quite a character, she loved a good gossip and needed just a little encouragement to get on with the work!
Both Clary and Shelly felt a bit awkward callling with my name (Sue). Apparently in Creole it means drunk!!! Got to say I do like the odd glass of wine!
(This cropped up again when Sylvia, who runs Melinda’s craft shop, seen us passing in the car. She was waving frantically but didn’t shout. When we recognized her and stopped to give her a lift, we asked why she had not shouted. She explained that to shout Sue or Sue, Tom would have seen her standing in the road shouting “DRUNK” or “DRUNK TOM”) I am sure many of our friends will be queuing up to comment on that one!!!!!
We spent a lovely evening with Melinda on our arrival and she made us feel very welcome.
Lolly a gorgeous bundle of fluff, became a constant companion. He loved going everywhere with us and sleeping on the floor, at the end of the bed. We had been a little worried that he might really miss Melinda as she tends to take hime everywhere with her. For the first day he was a little reserved but soon decided that it's not too bad - "these people" feed me, give me lots of love and attention, and take me out....they are ok! So, we became the new pack members. Gwizzy the cat was lovely too, although we did not see too much of her. She would turn up at mealtimes, demand her food and then disappears again. I think she thought we were just her servants.
Prior to our arrival the owner had had an accident in her car (she informed us her car is called Scooby!) The whole left hand side was badly damaged. Fortunately, Scooby was still drivable (only in St Lucia- UK police would have thrown you in jail for driving a car in that condition) but she needed to get this fixed. She had been in touch with a guy called “Yellow” the car doctor(!) who could “fix” up the car at a good price. The downside being we would need to get the various bits required (bumper, lights etc) and delivery them to him. The owner showed us where his “workshop” was located, which was nothing more than a tin shed, a cloth awning, located down in a ditch!
A long story but whilst attempting to find bits, a local Car Wrecking Yard asked if we wanted a quote for the work. Tom did a bit of haggling with Davidson the owner and it was agreed the bumper would be despatched, to be fixed by “Fluffy”. Apparently, he’s the plastic surgeon (!) and Tom got a good price for a re-spray and knocking out of dents. Thankfully, the owner agreed the price and Scooby went in, for 3 days maximum repairs. This tuned out to be on “Island time” and left us without a car for over a week.
During this period we had a couple of friends, from the UK, “passing by” on a cruise around the islands. Once they realized we would in St Lucia when they docked they asked if we could catch up. We are always please to see old friends and thought we’d hire a car, pick them up and show them a little of the island. Sounds easy enough!!!
Our car hire experience however, turned out to be quite an adventure! Firstly, despite getting in touch with numerous car hire companies, we couldn’t find anything to rent locally for the day. One of the neighbours kindly offered to help and got in touch with the local builder Mr Brown (who just happens to run a car rental business on the side).
Mr Brown had nothing available, but “do not worry I will get you a car- I’ll borrow my Brother-in-Law’s for you”. Mr Brown arrived with his Brother-in-Law's car, no money or papers exchanged, he just handed us the keys!
We picked up our friends in Castries without a hitch. Had coffee down in Marigot Bay and then hit the road with the idea that we would have lunch at the restaurant overlooking the Pitons. However, after travelling for half an hour, the car started making funny noises. Half way up a hill and it ground to halt on a hill and smoke started pouring out of the bonnet! Oh No! We rang Mr Brown and he said he would come straight away, but it would take him a good hour as he was in Castries.
In the meantime, whilst we were waiting, we had so many lovely people stopping and offering help. Lots of men surrounding the engine, scratching heads and giving out advise. All just wanting to help. People were just so kind. A car full of young lads stopped and got out - all with bottles of rum in hand, including the driver!! Fortunately, they didnt stop long, when we thought we had got the car working, and they were heading in the opposite direction.
A lovely young lady stopped and offered my friend Andrea and I a lift back to Marigot Bay. She was on her way to Rodney Bay. We decided to take it as Mr Brown was in a pick up and the boys would have needed to travel home in the back. Had a lovely chat with her and she came and had a drink with us in Marigot Bay.
Meantime, the boys and Mr Brown had managed to get the poorly car off the road and park out of the way. He then brought the boys back to Marigot Bay. We all had lunch and Mr Brown kindly gave our friends a lift back to Castries just in time to catch their Cruise.
It was a fun day despite everything and we had a lot of laughs along the way. It was so lovely to our friends (it has been two and half years since the last time). I am sure it was a day they will not forget! Personally, the day really showed us just how lovely the Lucian people are, so friendly, so warm, so very helpful and always smiling…with a love of rum!
As our stay in Saint Lucia was over 42 days, I had to get a visa extension for my passport. Tom didn't need one as he had been to Antigua, to see his son for a couple of day sailing, so his was ok. What a performance getting the Visa extension turned out to be!!!
We went along to the Immigration Department to be told we would need to get photo I.D., a copy of our flight details, proof of funds to stay in Saint Lucia, (i.e. bank statement) and a written letter inviting us to stay here.
The lady there has got to be the strangest person….maybe a little self-important? She sat me down but wouldn't speak to me until she had a piece of paper laid out (in a perfectly straight line), with the pens neatly along side, then I was permitted to speak!
We returned to the office with everything in hand a few days later. Same lady, same paper and pens!!! This time I was allowed to show her the items I had brought with me, but only one thing at a time. I was made to return to my seat in the waiting room, whilst she absorbed the details and then ask to return with the next piece and so on and so on.
Eventually, after a good 10 minutes, she informed me that they couldn't do this I would need to return 3 days before my visa ran out and not before. Grrrr!!! I very politely, between gritted teeth, asked her if there was any chance she could check, as we had come all the way from Marigot Bay (30 minutes away).
A further 45 minutes passed (the gentleman in question, that we need to see, was out of the office and, NO, she did not know when he'd return), before she got to speak with him.
Fortunately, he agreed to see us but we'd need to wait. Think he'd been to lunch as he was in "civvies" and had to get changed into the full uniform before we could see him. Another 30 minutes and we finally were allowed to cross the threshold to his office. He looked through everything had a chat with Tom about the Cricket and stamped the forms. Yay!
After waiting to speak with lady and her line of pens again, we were then to a join a line, to hand in the forms and passport. They kept if for 5 days for "processing. Only took an hour and a half in a queue to pick it up! Got to love island life!
Another day, and, another problem with poor old Scooby (the car). We had noticed that the brakes where squealing, a little like a stuck pig and getting worse. Tom decided to check them and jacked up the car. Not good, they looked to need replacing. Not a great idea to have no brakes with all the hills around Marigot Bay! Another neighbour kindly suggested a garage to take Scooby along to called “Shaun the Wreckers!
On investigation Shaun found the brakes to be worn down to the metal (explains the noise!). There was also brake fluid leaking on the back left wheel brake cylinder. An accident waiting to happen! Nothing for it, we had to get the work done. We informed the owner and it was agreed.
So, we spent a day at Shaun the Wreckers, the disc were badly worn and had needed to be skimmed. These were sent to “Pinkie” in the next village. New brake pads were sourced and a driver dispatched to go and pick them up.
Unfortunately for us, Shaun’s place is in the middle of nowhere, we managed to find a road side wagon and ordered up a couple of chicken rotis (a kind of bread wrap filled with a chicken and potato curry…or in this case a few chicken bones and potato!!!). After our “delicious” fare, we found shade and waited for Scooby to be released. What a difference! No more noise and the ability to stop safely!
The rest of the time passed too quickly. As this was a longer sit we had offered to do a few jobs around the place, which kept us busy. We enjoy days by the beautiful pool and exploring the countryside, with little Lolly as our companion. Saint Lucia is a stunningly beautiful island, the Pitons are not to be missed, we also bathed in the sulphur baths at the drive-in volcano (apparently this knocks 10 years off, can’t say we really noticed but good, if smelly, fun!). Visited the Botanical Gardens and waterfalls and found a lovely beach were we could go with Lolly.
An amazing house/pet sit and a very teary farewell, but we take with us so many wonderful memories of our time there. What an amazing time!