Bermuda week 3

Thanks for all the news - it is much appreciated!

But first to say that I haven't got lost in the Triangle and we haven't been badly affected by either hurricane Harvey or Irma. They are very much down south of us and though we might have had a bit more rain and wind, no one here is particularly worried! I notice there has just been a post announcing Tropical Storm Jose, which on talking to locals, could definitely affect the Island, probably during next week!!!! I then was given a lecture on how to prepare for a hurricane and what can possibly happen!! So we watch and wait!

This post is very likely going to be a photo collage given over to the last weekend which was spent in and next to the water!!

This last weekend was the Labour Day weekend and From what I could see, many people took to the water. for once, many of the boats scattered round the island seemed to be out on the water and it wasn't unusual to see whole families in the water around a boat, with cookouts happening on deck and swimming or lounging or snorkelling. As we boated down the island yesterday, there were also numerous camp and picnic sites in use and many of the beaches were packed. The Bermudians are talking about the last warm days of summer and Autumn slipping in, so are making the most of the warmth. They don't swim after October, as it is too cold! Sea temperatures are still in the high teens!!!!

On Sunday, I hopped onto my scooter and made my to the East side of the Island. When you are puttering along, being passed by everything, including someone on a bicycle!!!, and holding up the No 10 bus, it seems to take a long time to scooter 20 miles!!! There are very few roads that cover a straight area for longer than 1/2 km and lots of very sharp bends - so I make slow progress!!!! I got to my destination, however, nice and early. I decided to go to my favourite snorkelling bay, Tobacco Bay, even though there were a number of advertised events and was very pleased to spend about 4 hours there, before it really started filling up. The water was amazingly clear and it was the best snorkelling that I have done on the island and I was able to identify at least 15 different species including various parrot fish, a couple of angel fish, a honeycomb cowfish, blue tang and yellow grunt!!! Unfortunately, like birds, they don't always stay still long enough for identification or look like the chart!!!!

Looking through the various rock formations towards the secluded bay where I saw most of fish

The photo doesn't do justice to the clarity of the water 

On Monday I was invited, again, together with Barbara, to join Alick and Helen, boating and snorkelling. It was heavenly despite the threat of rain early on. We set off from the Somerset bridge dockyard and then went all the way through to the Flatts inlet, travelling down the north shore and through the Great Sound - basically we covered the course that was used in the America's Cup.  It was exhilirating!!!

Alick, Barbara and Helen 

A casualty from a previous hurricane

We fed the fishes off the wreck of the Vixen

After the day on the water, we went up to the Scaur Fort, which is a fabulous vantage point to look out over the Great Sound and then towards the south and west shores. The sunset was spectacular and I even caught the rising almost full moon!

The whole crew looking a little sunburnt!!!

Sunset 1 - I got some amazing shots!!!

My favourite - the main island on the right is Morgan's Island where we picnicked last Saturday.

As the light was fading

The moon hiding!!!

In case you all think that I am being lazy, below is the almost-finished rainbow baby blanket that is going to a friend's granddaughter in England, so I am not doing nothing!!!!!

Keep well and send news.

Missing you all