We both love the feeling of being self sufficient and have been pretty pleased with our power management at anchor. In these blowy islands the wind generator is banking lots of juice into the batteries but the solar panels have been rather disappointing. It was during his battery checks this morning that Si discovered the semi-flexible panel had broken together with the diode and it was actually sucking energy out. This panel is only two years old and its edges had fallen off some time ago leaving rust stains on the coachroof: Not a good product. They shall be receiving an email from Si shortly. Our Ikea desk lamps as recommended by ‘Sunboy’ however are brilliant and we use them every night after recharging the solar power pack during the day. We are so easily pleased!

   Back to paradise then and as the sun rose higher in the sky the sea burst into a rainbow of colours. This morning subtle pale greens were added to the palette darkening to sage over the reefs; I didn’t think it was possible for the blues to be any brighter than yesterday. Huge shoals of tiny shimmering fish reflecting the silver sun frequently bounce over the water around us, many swallowed up by large fish leaping in high, perfect arches. Frigate birds glide overhead. Several large turtles swam past Brindabella but unlike Bequia today I caught one with the camera as it surfaced for air, its neck extending to bid us good morning. I couldn’t wait for another close encounter with our friends and late morning we bounced on the choppy waves to the shore in the dinghy.

    Donning the gear we were reunited. Si swam off into deeper water following five or six turtles, but not feeling too confident with my tummy I stayed for ages with one or two in the shallows letting more water in as I laughed at their bad table manners; grasses still hanging from the corners of their mouths they would move briskly forward to munch greener grass spotted ahead. Back on the beach wrapped in towels against the brisk Atlantic wind we compared experiences before going back in to explore the rocks to the side. There is something oh so special about snorkelling together holding hands and sharing the wonderful sights underwater. Signing to point out multicoloured fish darting under rocks or those camouflaged in the grasses we slowly covered the wonders under the sea. Even in water knee deep as we approached the sandy shore we floated through thousands of tiny silver fish and shoals of almost transparent ones, larger than my hand, that were only visible up to an arms length away. The water the other side of the spit was now ablaze with emeralds and jade. Well, pebbles in every shade of green that is and such a picture. Out on horseshoe reef there were umpteen dinghies tied to the purpose laid buoys. This was shark spotting territory which unfortunately I wasn’t feeling up to today.

   Rather weary we had a quiet afternoon with the intention of dinner on a beach. BBQs are not allowed in the marine park. How could I choose between the idyllic islands surrounding us? A decision was not necessary however as the wind really picked up making a dinghy trip so unattractive we ate dinner onboard with the skies darkening. It was a blowy night.