John Lennon arriving in Bermuda

Log book of the Megan Jaye 1980. Courtesy of ImaginePeace.com

Continuing with the origin story of John Lennon’s song ‘Grow Old With Me,’ John Lennon arrived in Bermuda on Wednesday, June 11, 1980, after a week at sea. Lennon, the Megan Jaye, and its crew arrived in St. George’s Harbor, at the extreme northeastern end of Bermuda. The boat’s captain, Hank Halsted, recalled it as follows. 

“Once you pull into St. George’s you go through this marvelous cut,” Halsted said. “It’s only about two hundred feet across and it has tall, tall rocks...it's like going through the gates into never-never land.”[1] 

As he disembarked, John Lennon wrote in the boat’s logbook, “Dear Megan, ‘There’s no place like nowhere.’ (T.C. 1980) + thanks, Hank, love John Lennon.”[2] This was a callout to an expression Tyler Coneys had used while they were on the boat that later made its way into the lyrics of one of Lennon’s songs.

Upon arrival, Lennon contacted Donna Bennett, a real estate agent at L.P. Gutteridge, the largest holiday rental firm on the island.[3] She recommended a place for a meal, San Giorgio’s, an Italian restaurant on Water Street in St. George.3 Lennon and the crew subsequently slept that night on the Megan Jaye.[1]

The following day, Lennon took a taxi to Hamilton, approximately 12 miles to the west and met with Bennett. He was using the alias John Greene. Bennett did not recognize him initially.

“He was a thin man with a straw hat and was kind of sailor-looking with jeans and sneakers,” Bennett said. “I did not pick up on the accent, and he was not wearing his trademark glasses, and John Lennon had been out of sight to the public for quite a few years.”[4]

There was little rental availability at the time, but Bennett identified a property called Alexandra, located in Knapton Estates, Smith’s Parish. This is east of Hamilton, near Harrington Sound. The property overlooked Devil’s Hole, a historic tidal pool.

Bennett drove Lennon out to look at the property. It wasn’t the best fit, as Bennett knew, but it was what was available.[4]

Lennon noted that his son and their nanny would be coming to the island shortly. At this point, Bennett realized who he was. However, she agreed to keep the secret that he was in Bermuda.[4]

In a remarkable coincidence, Bennett’s father had briefly met Lennon when the plane that he and Yoko Ono were on briefly touched down in Bermuda to refuel in 1969. Lennon had said to him that he might come back to Bermuda one day.[5]

Lennon subsequently stayed at Alexandra with the Coneys, his crewmates from the sailing trip to the island. Halsted remained on the Megan Jaye.

On Friday June 13th, Lennon’s son, Sean, his assistant, Fred Seaman, and Uneko Uda (Uda-san), a family assistant, arrived. Seaman brought Lennon’s Ovation guitar.

Seeing the guitar, Lennon began playing a medley of sea shanties while Sean danced around the room. Lennon told stories that night of his time at sea.[6]

“You feel both isolated and in communication with the almighty whatever,” Lennon said. “It's an overwhelming sensation of freedom."[6]

The next day, June 14th, Lennon and Sean attended the birthday parade in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, which is celebrated the second Saturday in June. There is an image of Sean standing on a window sill to see better.

Before Captain Halsted returned stateside, he took Lennon and Sean out on the Megan Jaye around George’s Harbor. There is a photo of Lennon and Sean on the boat. Some sources state that Sean was on the sailing trip to Bermuda with Lennon. However, this is incorrect. The confusion is perhaps due to this picture.

Ultimately, however, the Alexandra was not a proper fit for Lennon. Looking for additional space and more privacy, a search began for a better place to stay.

[1] Madinger, Chip; Raile, Scott. Lennonology: Strange Days Indeed, A Scrapbook of Madness. p.516. Open Your Books. 2015.

[2] Neil, Scott. Lennon Bermuda. p. 38. Freisenbruch Brannon Media. Kindle Edition.

[3] Neil, Scott. Lennon Bermuda pp. 40-41. Freisenbruch Brannon Media. Kindle Edition.

[4] Neil, Scott. Lennon Bermuda p. 41. Freisenbruch Brannon Media. Kindle Edition.              

[5] Neil, Scott. Lennon Bermuda. p.43. Freisenbruch Brannon Media. Kindle Edition.

[6] Womack, Kenneth. John Lennon 1980 – The Last Days in the Life. Omnibus Press. 2020. p.121.