Day 1 - Arrival

The flight is at 20:14 so we have the day to get organised. Mostly consists of driving to Kathryn’s Dad’s place in Brighton to drop Rosie off (Baxter’s already with Rod and Lesley). Stuart very kindly gives us a lift in torrential rain to Gatwick. Kathryn has organised for us to use a private lounge – which is excellent.  The British Airways flight is a different story. As soon as I sit down, the headrest falls off and I discover bodily fluids underfoot. Other than that, it’s an uneventful flight.

12 hours later, we've landed and Mauritius is amazing. After a little difficulty finding our hire car guy, we’re off and almost immediately get lost. We eventually find our way to Tamarin but can’t find the house. 

After driving up-and-down Black Rock Road a couple of times, a woman pulls up in her car beside Kathryn and asks if she is Bruce! We follow her to the most fabulous house. 

It has four bedrooms but we’re just using the master suite on the ground floor which has a sliding window opening onto the infinity pool and provides a stunning view over Tamarin and Black River. 

The house is wonderful. I don’t know that I’ve ever stayed anywhere with a better view – Indian Ocean to the left, mountains to the right and tropical forest straight ahead. 

We realise we have nothing to eat and go foraging for a restaurant. Finally end up at a great local Chinese. 

At the next table a South African family is having a meal. The Daughter has brought her toy giraffe. Yet again, Sybil is following us. Little do I know, that’s giraffe is a sign of what lies ahead.