Yepton Estate Cottages Isn’t Just A Place it’s a feeling!
It’s a cold rainy day, the winter drags on, the work has to be done, family has to be cared for but in my heart , the thing that keeps me smiling, keeps me filled with sunshine is the knowledge that a few thousand miles away there is an Island in the Caribbean. An Island I have had the good fortune over the last 20 years to visit, to make friends, to find my joy. This Island is Stamped now on my heart.It is Antigua. Last year I needed to get there somehow. It was June and after many years of staying in a Hotel in Five Islands, even though I was travelling alone, I wanted to experience the true feeling of mixing in with the Antiguans, to feel a teeny tiny part of being ‘A true Islander’. My problem was as a solo female how to do this and feel secure. I talked to my Antiguan friends and found..a true gem, the best of both worlds if you will. I found Gabriela and Douglas Luery at Yepton Estate Cottages in Five Islands , a part of the Island I knew well have friends there … From the first tentative enquiry with the delightful and ultra efficient Gabie, as she has now become to me, I knew it was the right place to try. She and her husband Douglas have created an oasis of sheer beauty tucked away from the City of St John’s. Between them they have created several self contained Caribbean style cottages using Douglas’ years in engineering and skills along with Gabies incredible efficiency, attention to detail and utter warmth and generosity of spirit. Need a taxi to meet you at VC Bird Airport? Sorted using the amazing Spencer. Need to hire a car? Tell Gabie what you need and joy of joys a car can be hired and delivered to you on the day you ask. Should you wish to hang on to the car longer? All sorted . The cottages are a delight with all that is needed. Good cooking equipment, lovely lounge area with TV,Music System , Safe, Free Wifi, dining area. A glorious Bedroom and Bathroom. All scrupulously clean. Don’t bother packing towels, there’s Bathroom Towels and Beach Towels in abundance. All this with a glorious wooden verandah wrapped around the outside with BBQ and hammock for swaying gently in, catching the warm breeze. The lawned gardens are gorgeous with a wee dipping pool surrounded by chairs and loungers. Perfect for that late afternoon chilled glass of beer or wine as you watch the incredible bird life flitting in the trees and the fishing lake in front of the cottages which separates you from the nearby beach, fringed with palm trees, flamboyants and hibiscus bushes . My first morning Gabie drove me to the nearby Epicurean Supermarket. An amazing Supermarket; one of the things I loved was chatting and joking with the local Antiguans as we chose our freshly cooked Salt fish and Ackee, Jerk chicken , rice and peas , sushi etc. There’s everything you need there including some very good wine! Then the drive back through St John’s Market Street and Corn Alley ,Cathedral ,Market Stalls full of life, to then meander past Heritage Quay along the seafront and return to your delightful air conditioned cottage, unpack, unwind on the hammock gazing at the cerulean sky. Once settled Douglas spent time going over all there is to do and see on the Island , the beaches, the restaurants , historical places of interest. When my hire car arrived, what joy to take the plunge and go for a leisurely drive by yourself in the afternoon sunlight. Just to stop and gaze at the beauty around you, to pop in on old friends on the Island. One extra thing which was a massive boon was the local mobile or cell that Douglas and Gabie supplied; which meant avoiding the usual hefty mobile bills on your own, but also knowing wherever you went you could contact either one of them . Simple idea but liberating as a sole traveller. Whilst there Gabie and Douglas had arranged a wedding on the beach for a young couple. I was lucky to be included in the celebration. Glorious food lots of laughter. That’s one thing you do at Yepton ,you laugh, you can chat or be as quiet as the teeny lizard that scurries past. The one problem I had was leaving. Had to be practically eased out of my Cottage with a bottle opener. Suffice to say I rapsed so lyrical about it to my husband Mike we went back together two months later for another glorious fortnight. Don’t hesitate going to this lovely place , don’t think either you can’t go after June for the weather is just as glorious. As I say it’s not just a lovely collection of buildings but it has a heart too and their names are Gabriela and Douglas Luery. Book now Yepton.com
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