Images of the Caribbean are typically based around sun, sea and sand. Glorious blue skies with barely a cloud on the horizon, hot temperatures and relatively dry climates - a delightful dream that was my reality until last week.

Living on the west coast of Dominica for the past 4 years I had ocean views from my bedroom window, could walk to the beach and I was always hot! Now I sit here dressed in a t-shirt, long sleeved sweater and long trousers and am wondering if I should go and put on some socks! My bed has 3 blankets on it, it’s been raining almost non-stop for the past week and a cool breeze is ever present.

No I haven’t moved to another country…just further inland where the weather is a completely different story and far from that on travel brochures marketing the ‘typical’ Caribbean image.