Here we go again. Where does time go? After almost two years of various adventures in Brazil and Argentina and even an occasional trip back to the UK we are about to leave Salvador bound for the Caribbean. We escaped the clutches of the marina a couple of days ago and are now bobbing gently up and down at anchor off the island of Itaparica in the bay. This account of our voyage is dedicated to Granny who passed away a few weeks ago. She loved the goings on of her family and her greatest pleasure was to recount our adventures to all and sundry. She was looking forward greatly to being able to talk of this latest adventure. This then is ‘Granny’s last story.’

 

Yesterday morning before breakfast we had a ring seat at a dolphin show. Shoals of fish were leaping out of the water as they were being chased by a pod of dolphins eager for their own breakfast. A very nice beginning to our voyage but, I suppose, not viewed in quite the same light by the shoals of fish.

 

We had a few jobs to do – Liz. Michael and Michaela washed the grime off the hull whilst I serviced the toilet which had grown barnacles. I can only say that I’m pleased that I’m not a barnacle or if I was I would like to think I would have found a nicer place in which to grow up.  Anyway, they were evicted without due ceremony.

 

On the negative side the echo sounder repeater is not working and nor is the radar. Every thing else (touch wood!) looks good.

 

The afternoon saw us taking a trip in the dinghy to visit  the mangroves in the backwaters of the island followed by a walk along the waterfront and beaches – the highlight being an an old lady roaring with laughter as she sat astride a large cannon outside the local fort with her knickers and skirt everywhere! I really must find out how to post pictures by satellite phone e-mail!

 

We took ourselves ashore for dinner to Amigos BBQ. A lovely places set up by a couple from South Africa (Willem & Robyn) who were sailing but got drawn into the peace and tranquillity of Itaparica. Their own piece of paradise. It is easy to understand why this spot hit their spot. After only a couple of days we find ourselves drawn into the same slow pace of life here and would love to stay longer... and longer. But this morning another ex-sailor who set up home here came by with his very pretty Bahian girlfriend (to advertise their laundry business) and reminded us that the northeast winds will set in any day now so we must leave.

 

We felt very energetic this morning and took the dinghy over to a sand bank that appears when the tide goes out and did some beach-combing – and then swam back taking turns on towing the dinghy.

 

The high-light of the day was a visit to the chocolate factory run by Daniel and Natalie. They pick the cacao from their back garden and then have cacao-splitting parties with friends. Once fermented the nuts are are roasted in what was once an old oil drum before making the chocolate itself. Believe me, the end product is delicious. A bonus was a visit by a family of small monkeys looking for bananas to eat.

 

Since it is a while since I last used my sat-phone I will try to post this account now and see what happens.

 

Peter, Liz, Michael and Michaela