Stargazer

Privateers Bay, Great Camanoe British Virgin Islands

Retreats are to an extentin the eyeofthe beholder.NeverhaveIcome across suchviews as those above Camanoe,fromtheobservatory ofWhipple Housewithitsrustic charm.Whipple houseconsists of threemaster suites beingjoined togetherandisbeingopened uptoletthelightin onamodestdwelling of stoneand timberbeingbuilt tolast more thanitsyoung 40years already.

The name Whippleis that of famousEnglishastronomerFredWhipple 1906·2004.Byday andnightthe housewaschosen foritsspectacularview point.Oneof thefirst houses on Camanoitwas built in the1960sas the family retreat.It is to an extentthe WhippleCaribbean observatory.A vantage point overlooking ScrubIsland andmarina caysweepsfrom Eustaciaandthedogs throughtoBeefIslandandTortola.Foliagesurroundingyouis cacti,orchids,andsageandloblollytrees.

The floors are of Mexicansatiotiling with looselargestone granite walls.Theceilings andtimber postsare mahoganyand cypress tongueandgroove replacing any wornwood.Tojointhemasterbedroomandlivingareawiththe second bedroom a barbeque areahasbeenpreppedwhilst thethirdunit remainsisolated.Stone pathsremain whitsteachbedroom hashaditsoriginal small windowsknocked through withreplacementstonearchestolookonto thenewwoodendecksoverhangingthe hillside.

Livingis remoteandaccess to the islandisbyboat.A communallibrary and mailing postis onthe beach front providingamessage centreandreadingroom for residents.Itwas essential pre-telephonebutstill serves its purpose today.Carsareontheislandas ameans oftransport but a boatisnecessary tocrossto beeforother islands.Overlooking the airport as a Caribbean retreatyou willbe onyourhilltop retreatwithin15 minutes oflanding.The purposeofthe renovationwasto enhance the features ofWhipplehouseandtheresultisstunning.Large farmhouse doorsopen up the mainsuite andinitsoriginal designeffortsweremade to protect the housingsfromwind.