High and Dry in the BVI: amusing autobiography of an expat British Virgin Islands 1970-72

Having been lucky enough to visit both St Thomas and Virgin Gorda BVI, where we stayed in Little Dix Bay, I was delighted when this book was recommended to me. So I chose a gloriously sunny day where I was able to sit reading outdoors and imagine myself back on those charming islands. Although Lally and her husband were there in the early Seventies and we didn’t visit until the early Nineties, it seems as if little had changed in the intervening years! This book is excellently written and Lally describes the colourful local characters beautifully, as well as her and her husband’s brushes with officialdom. For example, obtaining a driving licence was a lengthy, complicated ordeal, also experienced by my husband, so much so that he still has his to this day! Her descriptions of those beautiful islands are spot on, her adventures recounted in humorous detail and her enthusiasm to take on all that was asked of her was to be applauded. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to have visited these delightful islands, this book is for you. And if you HAVE been to the BVI this book will transport you right back to these quirky communities in the Caribbean - The perfect islands in the sun.

Having read Lally Brown’s other memoirs, I knew I was in for a treat. Ooh, and this book captivated me from the first page.Bored their humdrum lives in the UK, the author and her husband decide to sell-up and travel to the West Indies. Intrepid? Oh, yes.My giggles started with the author’s account of their stormy voyage over in a banana boat. Other vignettes, such as hacking through the jungle wielding a machete in her undies on a mission with her husband, also had me in stitches. But there is great drama and poignancy too.Lally Brown’s detailed descriptions of the islands and their people are captivating. Her stories about the remarkable work she and her colleagues do for the Red Cross are incredibly touching, whilst her escapade with a friend in Virgin Gorda had me hanging onto the edge of my seat, fearful for her life.The book is a proper adventure, written with Lally Brown’s characteristic style that exudes enthusiasm, humour and sensitivity for others. I loved it and will be first in line to buy her next publication.

What a wonderfully entertaining memoir by Lally Brown. An impulse decision sees Lally and her husband selling up and booking round trip tickets to the West Indies on a Fyffes banana boat. Just before departure, fate stepped in and her husband secured a job in the BVI (British Virgin Islands) What an adventurous pair they are. Her anecdotes of island life are so vivid and at times had me in tears of laughter. She certainly threw herself into island life, becoming involved with the Red Cross and some fun fund-raising events. From wielding a machete, hacking her way through undergrowth to painting the local infirmary she comes across as such a warm hearted and rather intrepid lady. I love her witty way of writing and her descriptions of the island and those she meets are a joy. I have to say I rather fell in love with Bruno, the Governor's dog who rather stole the show at the Queen’s Birthday Garden Party. I defy anyone not to actually laugh out loud at his antics!! Brilliant, just brilliant.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this unique memoir from start to finish. The author held my attention throughout and is a wonderful storyteller with honesty and humour. As two young twenty-somethings, Lally and her husband cruise to Tortola where her husband is employed on a two-year contract. Idyllic? A dream come true? ....most certainly, and the reader is teased with wishing they'd had the same opportunity as this young, vibrant couple settle into island life - but it's not all plain sailing: both literally on the journey there in a Force 10 storm, and also once they are there, where encounters with not only difficult situations, but some rather difficult expat people arise, and where Lally is commandeered as either a low-paid, or very often unpaid, worker and is expected to fulfil certain duties in her role as the wife of an expat employee. Having been to the Caribbean myself (including Tortola) I loved reading about life on and around this beautiful island, and especially loved all the flamboyant, hilarious and vibrant Caribbean characters which Lally paints so vividly and with such warmth. There are many laugh-out-loud moments peppered throughout the book - but also some scary hair-raising incidents where lurking dangers pose life-threatening situations. Lally and her husband learn to embrace the full spectrum of island life as expats including becoming party animals (sometimes attending two parties in one night) which they often found enjoyable, but sometimes found intrusive, but they play their part. However, they relish the more serene moments on secluded beaches as they snorkel, swim and sip cocktails as the sun goes down...leaving the reader longing to experience it all with them. Plus, it must be the only time Christmas never came (no spoilers!) Despite the challenges of life on a small Caribbean island in the early 70s (including bugs, germs, hurricanes and colonial snobs) it was a wonderful time for this young couple, and as a reader, I was fascinated to learn of Lally's adventures and I enjoyed this read so much, I am moving straight on to reading her next book where they return to Tortola with their young family.

What an amazing time and how lucky to embark on this wonderful journey so young in life. From life in England to a wonderful life in Tortola, BVI, never complaining and taking on and learning so many new things. I can’t wait to read the next installment.

A Lovely Fun ReadWhat a delightful read of a couple who receive a two year contract to work on the island of Tortola just at the right time in their lives, they were feeling that there must be more to life than the daily drudge in the Ukin the early '70s.We are treated to lots of lovely incidents experienced by them both, also introduced to other young couples and families also posted to the BVI. Backdrops of soft, fine, white sand and dazzling blue sea they experience snorkelling, swimming and just lazing around in the sun. They both work hard and integrate themselves into the local community. Lally joins the Red Cross Volunteers group of ladies and together they paint the island Infirmary where they are accepted by the residents and even make friends with them, Rosalind made me smile as I once knew a lady with a similar trait but she was called Rosemary and yes she wore strange headwear too. The local Hospital is also treated to a makeover where they meet little Patsy who has never known life outside the walls of the Hospital. The Queen's Garden Party and Bruno, the Governor's dog who stole the show. The colourful Priest who may as well of said 'I do things my Way'Lally writes with in an easy style that is full of enthusiasm for life along with a good dollop of humour whilst still being sympathetic and sensitive to others. Thank you Lally x

Amazon recommends this terrific book for readers aged 12 to 18. I find this very curious! I am 73 and not yet senile! The book was so good I wanted to catch the very next flight (notwithstanding Corona Virus!!) to the island where Lally Brown lived. Her descriptions of abundant marine life and pristine beaches really fired up my imagination! Lally's attitude to the local people was very sympatico but delivered with gentle humour. I grew up in Northern Rhodesia, colonial Africa. In Lally's book all the fuss about Princess Margaret's visit really reminded me of similarities with my African childhood! I can thoroughly recommend this insightful book!

Read this book while vacationing on Virgin Gorda just a stone's throw away from Tortola. This situation plus the fact that I have spent some time on Tortola previously made the book an especially interesting read. Also liked the fact that it was set in the early 1970's since that was such a different time than the 2020's - much more relaxed and much more fun (and no COVID masks)

People the world over are fascinated with the Caribbean Islands and Lally Brown reminds you why in her High and Dry in the BVI: 1970-1972. Her husband takes a position as an engineer on the island of Tortola, so they pack their bags, leave England thus, the new adventures begin for them.They enjoy the beaches, travel to nearby islands, and find themselves a part of the expat community when not working and contributing to the welfare of the island. She becomes her husband’s secretary, helps paint the local infirmary, volunteers for the Red Cross, plans dinner parties, festivals and extensively helps Cuddles, the island Governor’s wife.A host of colorful and memorable islanders cross her path that will have you either chuckling or laughing aloud as she describes some of their antics. There never seems to be a dull moment as their two years there melt by with speed. Time only seemed to stand still when she and her friend were scarily lost in the caves at the Virgin Gorda Baths for an extended period.This is a fun read that will help you take into a deep dive into oodles of excitement during this pandemic as you vicariously live on Tortola with them. And now for the newly-published sequel, Treefrogs Can’t Sing: BVI 1978-1981!