Elbow Beach memories

November 30, 2009

Dear Sir,

During the mid-1980s I stayed at Elbow Beach approximately 12 times. In those days, British Airways flew from London to Baltimore with a stop at Bermuda. I had business, usually about every three months, in Baltimore at the Black & Decker HQ. ( I was one of their general managers in Europe). I used to catch the Friday plane and stop off at Bermuda over the weekend until carrying on to Baltimore on the Sunday evening.

This broke the jet lag (at least that was my excuse). Elbow Beach became my home from home for about three years. I knew all of the staff, they always kept the same room for me, next to the top floor in the Tower. Needless to say I spoiled the receptionists, but it was a joy and an unreal situation to be in such a beautiful place in Bermuda. Having a gin and tonic overlooking the Gardens and Beach at sundown was always a moving experience. I became friends with Collie Place and his wife at the tennis courts and even won the tennis doubles weekly tournament when I stayed a week with my family.

I have now been in the US since 1988 and since that time I have visited Elbow Beach for lunch about another 12 times, arriving by cruise ship. Needless to say, I have seen many changes and modernisations at Elbow Beach but nostalgia always gets to me of those halcyon days in the mid-eighties as I walk up to the Main Building. In my heart there is no other place on earth like Bermuda and the old Elbow Beach was the major player in creating that image.

I wish you the very best for the future and look forward to seeing the new Elbow Beach.

CLIFF TEALE

USA