Wicked fun
IT'S the end of the summer season and, as if on cue, each year the weather turns chilly the week the White House closes. The hotel was open for a few weeks longer this year and we were rewarded with a lovely mild October with many warm sunny days.
IT'S the end of the summer season and, as if on cue, each year the weather turns chilly the week the White House closes. The hotel was open for a few weeks longer this year and we were rewarded with a lovely mild October with many warm sunny days.
Now, though, winter has finally arrived. The hotel and Shell Beach cafe close this weekend, but the island itself is far from dead for the winter.
We have plenty planned for the colder months. For residents, this is always a sociable time as we are now able to get back together as a community to recover from the summer.
November scenery, when the island is swathed in gold and russet, is some of the most beautiful. We love having the time to take long walks on the common or on the white-foamed, windswept beaches, with the hurry and bustle of the tourist season behind us.
Half-term marks the end of the busy period, with hundreds of guests on the island. The Mermaid always puts on plenty of events and themed nights and those in the know will make sure to pack their Halloween costumes for the Friday night party.
For those on the island for Halloween itself, beware the mob of ghosts and ghouls who will be rampaging on the hunt for chocolate. These sugar-crazed monsters, innocent island children by day, come out once a year when the moon is high to search for treats or play tricks on those not armed with sweets.
They have already had a practise run, with a school Halloween party to get them in the mood, and the costumes this year are the most gruesome yet. No doubt sugar by the cauldron-full will appease them for another year.
