The Mascarenes provided welcome respite from the Indian Ocean especially after the demanding stretch from Cocos Keeling to Rodrigues. They are lovely islands, very different from each other with their own unique attractions. The small island Rodrigues with its beautiful blue green palette of coastline, traditional easy going life style and tasty street food and friendly people; colourful Mauritius with mountainous landscapes, skirting white beaches, jazzy street music, great food - especially Chinese Sunday brunch, vibrant communities and sheer sassiness; then stunning La Reunion with its delicious French creole cuisine, restless smoking volcano, barely touched interior of primeval forests and wild, majestic mountain scenery.

Our short time in these islands has been extremely enjoyable, there is lots to do and see and we would like to return to La Reunion one day for more serious trekking. The only drawback for us with this island is there are few places one can swim because of the sharks. Recently a surfer lost a hand and a foot to a shark and there have been many other attacks. In the harbour propellers and deck drains become coated with molluscs and other gunge but yachties are warned not to enter the water to clean all this off because bull sharks come in looking for opportunities, possibly attracted by waste  from the fishing boats. We don't know what is stuck to our propeller because we couldn't get under the boat to have a look and don't intend to get into the water underway unless there's an absolute emergency. However, the engine started first time and our steerage was fine when we left the harbour; we're hoping not to use the engine en route.

La Reunion is a real yachting centre for the resident and visiting French, the marinas are difficult to get into because they are full of local boats and are very busy places at weekends. At this time of year it is also something of a gathering place for international yachties before departures to Madagascar and South Africa. About ten boats we know have been in port with us, all with slightly different plans and schedules but with the ultimate aim of arriving somewhere in South Africa during November/December. We were the only boat to leave today, a smaller yacht left three days ago , a single hander whom we may well catch up but he doesn't have short wave radio so we can't keep in contact.

Well, we have certainly left the Mascarenes, La Reunion lies 80 miles behind. The winds are very light and the swell slight, we are making slow progress at 4½ knots toward Richards Bay and the Zululand Yacht Club where we have managed to book ourselves a berth. Eleven days to go, or maybe 12 at this rate – its 1600 miles!