Just before Lockdown Loos

It’s been a while since I’ve had a Loo Series post, so as I’ve got one from just before lockdown, and because I’m lamenting my second cancelled hair appointment, I’m sharing it today. We’d popped to Norfolk in the middle of March as we thought that things were about to change, in fact they changed after the following weekend, so our timing was spot on. We’d gone out for dinner to the Rose & Crown in Snettisham, which was a lovely place and one we’d go back to, and which had been on my parents’ to visit list since they moved to Norfolk in the early 2000s, so it was good to unknowingly tick it off their list.

At the time I was three weeks into my haircut cycle, with an appointment booked at the start of April. That didn’t happen, and my appointment was rearranged for yesterday, which clearly didn’t happen either. So now it’s 11 weeks since my last haircut, which for a regular six-weeker is quite disconcerting, and it’s what I’m liking least about the lockdown. Which makes me sound quite vain, but as my hair grows out as well as down, I have a lot more hair than I’m used to - there’s a reason why I have short hair and have it cut regularly.

Of course I’m not the only one missing their hair appointment, which means when they do reopen appointments won’t be happening immediately either. That’s frustrating too, though I’m decided that I will be taking the first appointment I can, even if that’s during the day. I’ve considered letting MOH loose on my hair, not just the fluffy bits on the back of my neck, but then again I’m not sure he’s qualified. I’m not qualified to cut my fringe and thin the shorter side, and it doesn’t and hasn’t stopped me, but that’s me doing it to me, not him. I’m not sure he’d be so keen either.

But anyway, back to the loos as you can see the advice to wash your hands was clearly on display. While essential, they weren’t a patch on the other artwork. Plenty of red, now that’s much more my thing.

The pub was busy when we went, perhaps that’s usual, or perhaps everyone else was expecting the lockdown too. We sat in an area towards the back, which as we’d parked in the road at the front meant we had to weave our way through the whole building. It was worth it though, both the food, decor and service were great and it’s easy to see why they’ve won the awards they have.

And just to prove my point about the length of my hair, and so this becomes part of my lockdown story. Three weeks in to my haircut and my hair’s not even at my chin - it’s also a lot less grey! And excuse my face, I’ve no idea what or why I’m pulling the face, in my defence it’s the only one I have!

Here’s looking forward to being able to visit family, restaurants and, sorry mum and dad, having my hair cut!

The loos in a shed

The variety of photographable loos continues to amaze me. Who’d have thought loos in a shed would be a thing, and a thing I’d photograph. But I have.

There’s plenty more loos I wouldn’t include here, because there’s no reason to, but I am finding more and more loos to feature in the Loo Series, perhaps I’m more attuned to them, perhaps there are more than I thought, who knows?

These loos are the second Bajan loos - the first were in the glorious Hunte’s Gardens, and yes I know I’ve not shared pictures of the actual gardens here yet, and like the gardens have a different feel.

Painted in pastel shades, the shed wasn’t just any old shed either, definitely a step up from the more usual creosoted garden variety.

Maybe the yellow walls helped. I’m almost certain that was the standard colour of my childhood bedroom, which was regularly repainted to freshen it up. I think dad’s yellow paint supply has long been used up, but maybe there’s a tin lurking.

The polite notice did make me smile, and it’s always good to see reminders that we all need to take care of our energy usage.

At one end of the shed was the ladies, with the gents at the other. The door signs matching the character of the island, its people, the gardens and the decor.

All in all a ‘pretty in pastel’ shed, with a completely functional use, that was very welcome after a long explore of the garden in thirty degree heat, and after all the water we drank to try to keep our cool!

The gardens and it’s plants were just as spectacular, with our last view of the garden (before the loos in the shed) looking like this.

A perfect match, and a perfect place to sit and enjoy a nice long drink of mango juice - the garden views, not the loos!

Tropical loos in Hunte's Garden

When I shared the loo with a garden in October, I didn’t realise that this would become a thing. But it has, and here’s the post to prove it, and there’s another one to come too, but that’s for another day. Today’s Loo Series is from Hunte’s Garden in Barbados, and the garden was a special one, very special.

The garden itself is in an unusual sink-hole like gully and you’re invited to work your way down, around and through the garden before returning to the entry level again, where there’s yet more to discover. Hidden away on the entry level, along from one of the many seating areas, where the loos.

Rustic and simple, but entirely functional, and in keeping with the garden too.

And as is becoming customary, there was an opportunity for a picture in the mirror - I think the most tropical background so far, and probably to come.

And if I thought the loos were good looking, the view as you emerge back into the garden, well that was just sublime.

Just looking at this picture now, I’m back in the garden in my mind. I can hear the music which was playing throughout the garden, I can feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, though of course I’m wearing many more clothes than on our visit. This garden is one of, perhaps my all time top to visit garden, it’s one that I felt a complete emotional connection to, in a way that I’m not sure I have before.

I can’t wait to share the rest of the photos from our visit, and if you visit Barbados you must definitely go and visit for yourself.