Having read Lally Brown’s other memoirs, I knew I was in for a treat. Ooh, and this book captivated me from the first page.
Bored their humdrum lives in the UK, the author and her husband decide to sell-up and travel to the West Indies. Intrepid? Oh, yes.
My giggles in this book started with the author’s account of their stormy voyage over in a banana boat. Other vignettes, like hacking through the jungle wielding a machete in her undies on a mission with her husband, also had me in stitches. But there is great drama and poignancy too.
Lally Brown’s detailed descriptions of the islands and their people are captivating. Her stories about the remarkable work she and her colleagues do for the Red Cross are incredibly touching, whilst her escapade with a friend in Virgin Gorda had me hanging onto the edge of my seat, fearful for her life.
The book is a proper adventure, written with Lally Brown’s characteristic style that exudes enthusiasm, humour and sensitivity for others. I loved it and will be first in line to buy her next publication.
The author begins her memoir with a question to the reader - Have you ever stopped in your tracks and said to yourself, “There must be more to life than this?” I have and was hooked by this book from that moment.
An off-chance meeting with a familiar face changed Lally Brown’s and her husband’s lives in two brief minutes.
Soon they were heading west on a Fyffe's banana boat. After enduring horrific storms at the start of their voyage, the waters calmed as they crossed the Atlantic.
First, they enjoyed a few weeks' holiday island-hopping across the Caribbean before starting work on the idyllic isle of Tortola in the BVI (British Virgin Islands), where they spent the next couple of years.
This is a very well-written memoir and holds your attention throughout. It is full of fascinating experiences as Lally and her husband settle into their new life in the sun.
If you want an enjoyable read that will lighten your spirits, then this book is for you.
My experience of destinations in the West Indies has been highly influenced by my love of cricket. I'd heard of all the well known places but the British Virgin Islands certainly wasn't one of them. Now I want to go there. This book features a series of delightful incidents experienced by a husband and wife who receive a contract to work on the island of Tortola. Set in the early '70s against a background of soft white sands, clear blue waters and lush green rainforest, we are introduced to other young couples and families posted to the area, the Governor and his wife, the newly arrived priest, locals, British expats and even Princess Margaret. There's an incident with a rather persistent barracuda, several brushes with 'death' on the island of Virgin Gorda and some delightful scandals. It's a memoir that made this reader amend her travel preferences and well worth the read.
A perfect beach read. What an extraordinary life Lally Brown has lived. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore made listening to this book while vacationing in Aruba pure bliss. Lally and her husband risked everything to live a life that most of us only dream of; I envied their courage. Island adventures in the British Virgin Islands held me spellbound as I experienced the joys and hardships of living in another country. This book had me in stitches, then almost in tears, with every feeling imaginable in between. From whales to sharks and countless other creatures, the ocean teemed with life. Lally even got to visit neighboring islands, train to dive, and she even saw princesses. My most important takeaway was that I should always shake out my shoes when I travel to avoid any nasty surprises before putting them on. I am a big fan of all of Lally Brown’s captivating books.
What a wonderfully entertaining memoir by Lally Brown. An impulse decision sees Lally and her husband selling up and booking round trip tickets to the West Indies on a Fyffes banana boat. Just before departure, fate stepped in and her husband secured a job in the BVI (British Virgin Islands) What an adventurous pair they are. Her anecdotes of island life are so vivid and at times had me in tears of laughter. She certainly threw herself into island life, becoming involved with the Red Cross and some fun fund-raising events. From wielding a machete, hacking her way through undergrowth to painting the local infirmary she comes across as such a warm hearted and rather intrepid lady. I love her witty way of writing and her descriptions of the island and those she meets are a joy. I have to say I rather fell in love with Bruno, the Governor's dog who rather stole the show at the Queen’s Birthday Garden Party. I defy anyone not to actually laugh out loud at his antics!! Brilliant, just brilliant.
What a delightful read of a couple who receive a two year contract to work on the island of Tortola just at the right time in their lives, they were feeling that there must be more to life than the daily drudge in the UK in the early '70s.
We are treated to lots of lovely incidents experienced by them both, also introduced to other young couples and families also posted to the BVI. Backdrops of soft, fine, white sand and dazzling blue sea they experience snorkelling, swimming and just lazing around in the sun. They both work hard and integrate themselves into the local community. Lally joins the Red Cross Volunteers group of ladies and together they paint the island Infirmary where they are accepted by the residents and even make friends with them, Rosalind made me smile as I once knew a lady with a similar trait but she was called Rosemary and yes she wore strange headwear too. The local Hospital is also treated to a makeover where they meet little Patsy who has never known life outside the walls of the Hospital. The Queen's Garden Party and Bruno, the Governor's dog who stole the show. The colourful Priest who may as well of said 'I do things my Way'
Lally writes with in an easy style that is full of enthusiasm for life along with a good dollop of humour whilst still being sympathetic and sensitive to others. Thank you Lally x
This is the third of Lally Brown’s books I’ve read and again I’ve enjoyed it so much. More light hearted than the other two, it nevertheless gives a clear and informative account of life in these British territories in the 1970s. Lally Brown comes across as a lovely, warm personality and her involvement in local projects and the Red Cross are a testament to her kindness and the affection she had for the islanders. She writes about these Caribbean people with insight, humour and love, the result being that their personalities are vivid and beautifully drawn. Among all the delightful characters we meet in the book, I especially liked Rosalind with her quirky headgear and imaginative superstitions, as well as the inmates of the infirmary. Lally Brown’s writing style is lively with a gentle wit and charm that makes the book an easy and captivating read. I would definitely recommend it highly to all travel memoir lovers and those who enjoy reading about living in foreign parts. A super book!
Fascinating, Educational and Humorous Memoir Capturing the Vibrancy of the Caribbean
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this unique memoir from start to finish. The author held my attention throughout and is a wonderful storyteller with honesty and humour. As two young twenty-somethings, Lally and her husband cruise to Tortola where her husband is employed on a two-year contract. Idyllic? A dream come true? ....most certainly, and the reader is teased with wishing they'd had the same opportunity as this young, vibrant couple settle into island life - but it's not all plain sailing: both literally on the journey there in a Force 10 storm, and also once they are there, where encounters with not only difficult situations, but some rather difficult expat people arise, and where Lally is commandeered as either a low-paid, or very often unpaid, worker and is expected to fulfil certain duties in her role as the wife of an expat employee. Having been to the Caribbean myself (including Tortola) I loved reading about life on and around this beautiful island, and especially loved all the flamboyant, hilarious and vibrant Caribbean characters which Lally paints so vividly and with such warmth. There are many laugh-out-loud moments peppered throughout the book - but also some scary hair-raising incidents where lurking dangers pose life-threatening situations. Lally and her husband learn to embrace the full spectrum of island life as expats including becoming party animals (sometimes attending two parties in one night) which they often found enjoyable, but sometimes found intrusive, but they play their part. However, they relish the more serene moments on secluded beaches as they snorkel, swim and sip cocktails as the sun goes down...leaving the reader longing to experience it all with them. Plus, it must be the only time Christmas never came (no spoilers!) Despite the challenges of life on a small Caribbean island in the early 70s (including bugs, germs, hurricanes and colonial snobs) it was a wonderful time for this young couple, and as a reader, I was fascinated to learn of Lally's adventures and I enjoyed this read so much, I am moving straight on to reading her next book where they return to Tortola with their young family.
People the world over are fascinated with the Caribbean Islands and Lally Brown reminds you why in her High and Dry in the BVI: 1970-1972. Her husband takes a position as an engineer on the island of Tortola, so they pack their bags, leave England thus, the new adventures begin for them.
They enjoy the beaches, travel to nearby islands, and find themselves a part of the expat community when not working and contributing to the welfare of the island. She becomes her husband’s secretary, helps paint the local infirmary, volunteers for the Red Cross, plans dinner parties, festivals and extensively helps Cuddles, the island Governor’s wife.
A host of colorful and memorable islanders cross her path that will have you either chuckling or laughing aloud as she describes some of their antics. There never seems to be a dull moment as their two years there melt by with speed. Time only seemed to stand still when she and her friend were scarily lost in the caves at the Virgin Gorda Baths for an extended period.
This is a fun read that will help you take into a deep dive into oodles of excitement during this pandemic as you vicariously live on Tortola with them. And now for the newly-published sequel, Treefrogs Can’t Sing: BVI 1978-1981!
Having enjoyed two very enjoyable trips to various Caribbean Islands as a tourist in the 21st Century but never having explored the BVI's I was curious to read about what life would be like actually working and living there at a time when life was more 'prmative' or 'simple' It was such an eye opener. I loved it! From leaving the UK this adventurous couple left their secure jobs and homes in rural Sussex and threw all caution to the winds to give life in the Caribbean a go. With no experience or any expectations of what life would be like. From start to finish you will be caught up in their adventure. From travelling there to settling in with the natives and ex pats meeting the rich and famous and dealing with the climate and customs all very enthralling. Lally and her husband waste no time in settling in and making the most of their time there. A life full of fun and discovery. So much so you feel sad when they return to the UK. I was very glad to find that they do return with two little children. You will wish for some more too. Thank you Lally. I love your easy and entertaining style of writing.
Another easy read geography & cultural lesson, told with humour and detail. I felt the language might have been more adventurous. However the island life & events were very entertaining - a well worth while, easy read!!
What an amazing time and how lucky to embark on this wonderful journey so young in life. From life in England to a wonderful life in Tortola, BVI, never complaining and taking on and learning so many new things. I can’t wait to read the next installment.