#127 Aunt Nea's Inn - Bermuda

​St. George's, the Oldest Community in Bermuda  
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Aunt Nea's is located in the UNESCO World Heritage site of St. George's.

  Don and I already had accommodations for a week at a nearby timeshare condo.  When we learned about this guest house built in the 1700's, we couldn't resist. 

​Behind the Wall
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​We probably looked like kids sneaking away from summer camp, as we strolled with our overnight bags down the steps of St. George's Club, escaping to our little getaway.

We found the wall surrounding Aunt Nea's, just minutes from our condo.  I loved the yellow and white wall that took us right up to the entrance.  One hardly needed a wall with all the lush growth.

Who is Aunt Nea?
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​This grand home was once two residences that were later connected.  At one point, it became the residence of the American Consul.  

By the 1960's it had become a guesthouse, using the name Hill Crest.  But the person behind the name Nea, was a neighbor who lived nearby.  Hester "Nea" Tucker was living next door when Irish poet, Thomas Moore stayed on this property in 1803.

The Poet and Nea
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​In this cozy Bermudian town, where small cottages line winding alleys, neighbors live fairly close to one another.  This is considered one of the largest private properties in St. George's.  

I picture Mr. Moore strolling in the garden mumbling to himself as he fretted over his poetry.  The romantic poem he titled, "Ode to Nea" must have been quite a scandal, since Ms. Nea was indeed married.  I'll admit it was a little fun, wondering if those two did any sneaking around on this property. 

​Sunny Afternoon
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We arrived in the afternoon and headed up the walk towards the veranda, which went from wood to concrete in the 1920's. 

The front doors were wide open and I heard a welcoming voice. My eyes couldn't adjust from the bright sun, but the greeting, "Hi Beth!"  made me know it was Stacey.  We had been communicating through emails for a couple weeks. She helped me with suggestions and contact info, since I was interested in volunteering with children while staying on the island.  

​​The Entry
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As we entered, Stacey came into focus behind the desk.  

As we settled for the room, I studied the staircase to the left.  It felt so much more like a private home than a hotel.

Community Space
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​Stacey pointed out a sitting area in the back, then we headed through the kitchen where we were told to help ourselves to some nibbles and coffee in the morning.

She took us to our room, which I had chosen on the internet.  But after exploring a bit more I asked if we could be changed to the Cedar Room. 

What's old about The Cedar Room?
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​I'm not one of those people who often complains and asks for a better room, but I was so glad I spoke up.  

The rooms in the front part of the house shared more of the historic charm.  Our ceiling revealed some of the original cedar and the windows were deep and showed the thickness of the walls.  

​I Like New Stuff Too
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Yet the bed and linens, fresh paint and new tile and brick, just felt fresh and clean!  

I liked the black and white framed photography with seens from Bermuda.
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Danger
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​Luckily Don packed no cowboy boots for this trip, or he might have been in danger of bumping his head.  I however, tripped a couple times over the raised stonework that held the shower stall.

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Some might care, but we weren't concerned about having a shower and tub in the corner of our room.  (The toilet had its own room) If they hadn't frosted the glass so high, I could have watched a Turner Classic Movie while I showered!  (Having the TCM station is always a bonus for me. )  Note: We might have had issues with the shower in the room, if we'd been dealing with humid weather.  

The View
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​I always like to mention the room's view.

It's hard to see that our 2 old windows looked out on a stone wall.   That sounds boring, but there was something quaint about it!​

​Scone and Coffee
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We had muffins and cheese scones with our coffee in the morning.  I do wish we'd had more interaction with others, since we might have learned something.  

But it was a lovely morning, with a garden view... if only I'd had a copy of this poem then, I could have sipped and recited!

Ode to Nea:
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You read it in my languid eyes...
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by Thomas Moore
 
You read it in my languid eyes,
And there alone should love be read;
You hear me say it all in sighs,
And thus alone should love be said.
Then dread no more; I will not speak;
Although my heart to anguish thrill,
I'll spare the burning of your cheek,
And look it all in silence still!
Heard you the wish I dared to name,
To murmur on that luckless night,
When passion broke the bonds of shame,
And love grew madness in your sight?
Divinely through the graceful dance,
You seem'd to float in silent song,
Bending to earth that beamy glance,
As if to light your steps along!
Oh! how could others dare to touch
That hallow'd form with hand so free,
When but to look was bliss too much,
Too rare for all but heaven and me!
With smiling eyes, that little thought
How fatal were the beams they threw,
My trembling hands you lightly caught,
And round me like a spirit, flew.
Heedless of all, I wildly turn'd,
My soul forgot -- nor, oh! condemn,
That when such eyes before me burn'd,
My soul forgot all eyes but them!
I dared to speak in sobs of bliss,
Rapture of every thought bereft me,
I would have clasped you -- oh, even this! --
But, with a bound, you blushing left me.
Forget, forget that night's offence,
Forgive it, if, alas! you can;
'Twas love, 'twas passion -- soul and sense --
'Twas all the best and worst of man!
That moment did the mingled eyes
Of heaven and earth my madness view.
I should have seen, through earth and skies,
But you alone -- but only you!
Did not a frown from you reprove,
Myriads of eyes to me were none;
I should have -- oh, my only love!
My life! what should I not have done?

Source:
The Poetical Works of Thomas Moore.
Copyright undated, very old
The Walter Scott Publishing Co. Ltd.
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