After recovering sufficiently enough from a traffic accident in England on the ninth of July, in which I sustained a double fracture of the pelvis among other more minor injuries, it was decided that one of the best things I could do would be to get some sun, sand and sea. So, when the opportunity to come to Anguilla arose, I jumped at the chance of trying to get fully back on my feet on an idyllic Caribbean island. Therefore, after departing London Heathrow’s hectic airport and enduring a tortuous flight via Miami, San Juan and finally Anguilla, here I was to begin my seven week journey of healing.

Matthew Irving on a healing mission

The idea was to lose the weight I had put on during the couple of months when I was flat on my back and all I was good for was eating and watching a great deal of television. Of course, I wanted to get fitter and stronger whilst leading a healthy lifestyle in the sun. This would be difficult as there were many obstacles to overcome, combined with the mental anguish of not being able to function as a normal 31 year old was quite demoralizing. I was an avid tennis player, ran for miles across country every other day, played football and all the other things active people do.

My close friendship with villa owners in Anguilla allowed me to become intimately knowledgeable about this small island nation. Also, the Anguilla Tennis Academy’s director, Jason Allen, made a ten day trip to London in which he and I spent many hours battling on the tennis court. Having these ties to Anguilla would ensure that my stay would not only be a healthy one, but my friends would provide the support for my recovery efforts.

My plans went almost immediately a wry when I discovered exactly how good a friend’s ability to make a sensational rum punch (which I have discovered is actually a tea punch technically) and an absolutely outrageous piña colada. This, coupled with the great restaurants on the island, the fact that I am a chef who likes to try everything and then get back in the kitchen albeit socially, and have cook ups at the house, meant that my waistline was not in fact shrinking as I had planned, but indeed expanding.
One of the tools that would hopefully lead to a quick recovery was a bicycle. Yet, I needed an extra impetus which is where Calyde Hughes came in; one of the coaches from the ATA. He decided to come and get me one morning so that we could cycle around the island. My worst fears were realised when he turned up in his cycling gear and a road racing bike whilst I had a rented mountain bike. Already feeling weary from perhaps one too many piña coladas, off we set. It was not long before we realised there was a distinct difference in pace and I became a sweating reddened mass just trying to keep up with his sauntering pace. Occasionally I would catch up or he would drop back. We would exchange a few words, or in my case expletives directed at Calyde for having a road bike, but this line of conversation clearly doing nothing for him, off he would cycle again and our game of cat and mouse (or was it catch up?) would continue around the island. My only respite came when I discovered that he had stopped to talk to someone he knew, and fortunately for me, it seems he knows a lot of people.
Not put off, we have been out several times since. Also, we attempted a game of basketball with some of the other ATA coaches, during which Calyde managed to humiliate my semi-crippled and aging body with his speed and agility on the court (he’s been doing wonders for my ego), I decided the only thing to do was to put him on my team!
I have cleaned up my act though as I cycle to and from the gym at Malliohuana Hotel and Spa most days. My speed and strength seem to be improving but I am not sure whether this is due to my lackadaisical routine or the numerous gangs of wild dogs that chase me along the way! Swimming in the lovely azure blue of the Caribbean Sea has been one of the most important aspects of therapy as it is well known that the sea has a healing property. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll get a game of tennis, which for someone who couldn’t walk much more than a couple of hundred feet before he got here would be no mean feat! But, all good things come to an end and I must go home to a cold, dark and no doubt wet winter back in England. Thanks to all of those who have made my stay here so hospitable, pleasant and most of all healing! Fair well Anguilla………..
- Jason Allen

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