Book excerpt: In 1973, after answering an ad in the Construction News, Colin Bird finds himself flying to the sub-tropical island of Bermuda on a two-year work contract, excited but unsure of what he will find. Colin is blown away by the beauty of the island, with its pristine pink sand beaches and white roofed, pastel-coloured houses set amongst a riot of spectacular flora. With no grinding poverty, he soon realises that Bermuda is as close to paradise as it can possibly get - a view that is only underlined by the high standard of living made possible thanks to generous tax-free salaries. He discovers that there are many other young expat workers on the island, and he settles quickly into his new surroundings, becoming immersed in the frenetic bar, beach, and party scene. With close friendships that will last a lifetime, overactive love lives, and a dedication to the support of the distillery industry – particularly in the production of rum, Meet Me at Elbow Beach is a personal account of the adventures of a group of people in a place that was perfect for indulging in life’s pleasures.