18:21.415N 064:34.832W

We left St Maarten at 5pm and sailed overnight to the BVIs.  The wind was never quite enough and always a bit too much from behind so we had to have the engine on for much of the time which is always a bit frustrating. 

It was light by the time we reached the islands and we opted to sail through the chain from the top rather than go straight to our destination island.  First island is Richard Branson’s.  Necker Island, and very lovely it was too. 

It was only when we looked at the charts that we realised not only had the chap who started the Virgin brand bought an island that was part of the Virgin Islands but it was on the stretch of water known as ‘Virgin Sound’ which fitted very neatly with his connections to the music business when he first bought it.

We were particularly entertained by this small island just off Necker which looked exactly like you want a shipwreck or Desert Island Discs island to look……..

It was only when we got very close that we realised the palm trees were fake!

A few hours later we were hailed on the radio by our friend Brad on Evergreen.  We had not made any arrangements to be in the same place but he had called us once a day on the radio on the off chance we would be in range.  This time we were not only in range but within sight.  They joined us at anchor the following evening.  His wife Vicky and her friend Betty were with him for a couple of weeks so we finally met when they came over for supper on board.

We had also heard our friends Rob and Dee on Ventana so knew they were in the area.  We gave them a call and found that they were already at anchor in the bay we were heading for so we had another delightful evening with them learning all about the Bahamas.

We anchored on Peter Island along with a fair few charter boats which took us back to our days in the Med.  There was plenty of room though and the water was warm and crystal clear so great for swimming again.  It is a real joy to see fish in the water again after the rather sterile waters of the Med.  Little ones that travel in a cloud and sparkle and medium size ones that just potter about looking at you.  Best of all I saw a barracuda sheltering under the boat; completely unconcerned by my presence while I took a good look.

Not only did we buy the necessary to get fishing again but we have finally found fish identification cards that are right for the area we are in.  One for game fish so we can put a name to all those that we are soon to catch, and one for reef fish so we can put a name to those we see when snorkelling.  Hence knowing that it was a barracuda; a very handsome chap, if a little stern looking.