For this special Christmas 2010 edition of HELLO! we are lucky enough to catch up with Gill and Ant at their Caribbean hideaway in Bequia.
Q: Where is Bequia exactly?
A: Well hidden in the Leeward Islands deep in the Caribbean darling, a perfect little jewel but so close to ghetto Mustique you can hear the trash rattle as those nasty Royals and Z listers wear their bling. Only A listers here in Bequia sweetie.
Q: How did you hear about Bequia?
A: A charming urbane friend scouted it out a few years back.
Q: How did you get onto the island?
A: You have to really love Bequia to make the effort to get here. We came by a teeny weeny plane and a ferry that was just unbelievable darling! We plan to leave by private plane. It’s the only way sweetie, torture!
Q: So Gill, how do you keep looking so young and gorgeous in this climate?
A: The secret of eternal youth is hidden in rum punches, I can never have enough of them.
Q: What do you most miss about home Gill?
A: The wifi is a bit iffy so I missed Victoria Beckham's new bag launch on net a porter. Will just have to call her. And the local boutiques all talk about “local colour” which is just so last millennium, the actual as well as virtual shopping is a real nightmare.
Q: Ant, turkey or lobster on Xmas Day.A: Simple, both especially Xmas Day. We had a rather decadent breakfast to start the day, cooked by the in house chef. Rather good view too as we ate it and looked towards Mustique. We could almost hear the vulgar popping of vintage Krug bottles by all those nasty hedge funders and big bonus bankers. Or should that be spelled with a “W”……? Then down the villa garden to the beach for lunch where we had a very abstemious chicken (well almost turkey….) Caesar salad at the local hostelry, the Bequia Beach Hotel. Washed down of course by a few rum punches. Back to the villa for a rest and to hand our laundry over to the in house laundress. Then Xmas evening we pop back down the beach again for a lobster feast and a rather good bottle of wine.
Q: We heard that some islanders entertained you last night.
A: Yes, a cornucopia of charming musical locals have been on hand, although Ant would rather stick needles in his eyes than listen to steel bands.
Q: Did you see the Queen’s Christmas broadcast?
A: No, but she follows us on twitter, facebook and of course reads our blogs.
Q: Do you intend to visit Mustique?
A: Yes, but Gill’s going nowhere near a scalding bath. But Ant may channel Roddy for his allotment.
Q: Do you find it difficult to communicate with the outside world?
A: Satellite dear, and we Skype each other if we get lost in the villa.
Q: Have you seen any famous people?
A: No, but they must have seen us.
Q: How do you manage to keep your trim figures with all this tropical gorgeousness around?
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| The in villa chef |
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| The in villa chef's Xmas breakfast creation |
A: Walking from bed to balcony certainly helps darling and we have a marvellous breakfast chef who rustles up such exquisite delectations. Strangely, he looks remarkably like Ant. And we always say, lobster and champagne are so low fat.
Q: How do you keep your couture so pristine?  |
| The in villa cleaner/laundress |
Q: What made you want to open up your villa to the HELLO! readers?
A: Christmas is all about sharing darling, we feel that if we can shine a little light into those tiny drab living rooms in England, then we will do everything we can to help.
Q: How are you travelling around the island?
A: We have a little man named Alvin who is our beck and call boy. However, we have recently taken to jumping into the back of passing open backed buses, and playing at being poor, fab fab fab.
Q: Describe a typical day at Friendship Villa
A: We are early risers dear, never too early for breakfast. Technology plays a large part in our wifi, hifi life. Phones, iPads, laptops, GPS camera and Kindle are putting strain on St. Vincent's broadband resources. The only thing we don't have is our rabbits.
Mornings are for swimming and lounging. Nibbling on liquorice allsorts is our guilty secret and only vice. Lunch at the little local beach bar at South of France prices. So pleasant to find an island that is almost free of nasty cruise passengers. (readers, they both squirmed at the very mention) Afternoons are for beauty sleeps and gazing at our gorgeous view.
Dinners are either eaten locally, lobster to die for, or we head into town and see what we can find. Dining overlooking Admiralty Bay and its yachts is just fabulous..
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| Anthony taking care of his important daily correspondence |
Q: What are your favourite spots on the island?
A: Here at Friendship Bay is idyllic, but we love tiny little Port Elizabeth and of course the nightlife, along the Belmont walkway. Must be the only catwalk where you have to dodge the waves as you sashay along.
Q: What do you do for spa services?
A: Our bodies and skin is so toned that a daily swim and a barefoot walk along the beach is the only scrubbing we need. And let me give all your readers a little secret, mozzie spray is the new Creme de la Mer.
We would like to thank both Ant and Gill for giving their time at this special time of year to talk to us at HELLO! The huge fees we paid them for this interview have been donated to their favourite charity, the newly formed “Rum Punch Foundation”. Donations can be made direct into either of their bank accounts. Please contact them via this blog if you wish to donate.
