Island Paradise Day 30

Spontaneous get togethers have always been a favorite thing for Steph and me. It is one of the things we love about Oliver – we have friends there that will pop over to say hi – showing up unannounced – and before you know it we are collaborating on food and sharing a meal.

That has also happened a number of times here at Jack Neal with our good neighbours Susan and Mike. They regularly invite us over for “happy hour” where we sit on the porch and have a drink and visit. We have shared many meals together already, and often Mike and Susan are our “audience” for music practice. They love to sing too so Stephane plays the guitar and we have sing-a-longs.

I have written before about community – and how for us that is an important element when deciding if we ‘fit in” somewhere. We have been pleasantly surprised by how welcomed we have been here. Living at Jack Neal beach full time – like Mike and Susan do – could be quite lonely as they are the only full time people here – and yet they seem to have a fairly full and active social life, going to town often: Tapas Tuesdays, Tuna Fridays, Wednesday ladies lunch, etc. and having groups of people out here for beach parties and pizza parties.

I am not certain what our experience would have been like here on the south shore if Mike and Susan were not here. They have become as much a part of our experience as the dog snapper who visits us every day when we snorkel. We bump into them every day on the beach, in the water, snorkeling, and at happy hour.

Without them we would have felt too secluded. Steph and I love each other’s company and we can talk for hours every day, but having other people to share with has certainly enhanced our experience. I am grateful to have kind and gracious neighbours who share a love for music and good food. Jack Neal Beach may not be a large community, but it is a community in the truest sense.