Waking up in the morning surrounded by crystal clear water,taking a morning bath and a long breakfast is a great reward after weeks of hard work and bilge yoga.

Having the Q-flag in starboard spreader and with a northerly gale expected in the evening we needed to wey anchor and cross the Grand Turks Channel (where humpback whales frequently migrate for breeding season in Nova Scotia and New Foundland).

We dropped anchor just southwest of Cockburn Harbour in 2,3m sand with good holding. Taking our dinghy to customs/immigration we were finally checked in to Turks&Caicos. The customs/immigration officer on call knew nothing about our “pet in transit permit” we had spent loads of money and energy on, but at least there was no problem (The veterinary industry with agents carving money from cruising pet owners is worth it`s own post).

Walking through Cockburn Harbour a tranquile, sympathetic and friendly vibe was clearly felt. Once back on the boat we were in company with 5 other boats anchored around ,all of us having to spend some days waiting out the gale . On the only American flagged boat was a couple who were keen surfers. They spent 10 years on their wooden trimaran in French Polynesia and when we started comparing experiences they were good friends of Liz Clark.

Liz Clark appears on this blog more than 10 years ago when we met in Raitea, neighbour to Bora Bora. She was and still is a well known surfer and sailor. I learned that she married a Polynesian man, moved to Huahine in the Society Islands, and is now spending her life fighting greedy companies trying to exploit Polynesia.

The _expression_ “what a small world” naturally comes to mind.