Monday 8th February 2016
 
We leave the mooring around the Bitter End yacht club and Virgin Gorda by 8.30a.m. and sail past Saba Rock. We sail out past Necker Island and even though Peter is sure Sir Richard was waving us to join him, we continue on our way without stopping by for any of the Branson hospitality. Our Yacht Spyglass travels either by engines or sail depending on the wind conditions. Skipper Scott really loves to sail and is utterly in his element when he can get the sheets full of wind and tell us so animatedly how many knots we are doing. It's a long trip today of just over 4 hours, but cutting through the bluest of blue seas so perfectly with all this fabulous scenery around us we are very happy travellers. 
 
We are heading to Anegada Island which is the most northerly of the B.V.I.s and is totally different to the others which are quite mountainous and yet Anegada is flat in fact its highest point is only 28 feet above sea level. It is only 11miles long and is fringed with mile after mile of white sandy beaches. When we read the itinerary of this trip, and I have read it over repeatedly this past 18months, Anegada was never mentioned. It's difficult with wind and sea conditions to actually agree a definite route, which I understand but visiting this island is a fabulous addition to an incredible trip. 
 
Scotts pal on the island is Irish Barry. Where and how long ago Barry's family were Irish is a well discussed point as Barry is a huge typically looking Caribbean man, who we are told has blue eyes but from when he first arrives with the dinner menu at 11a.m. (We are all to pre book, to save disappointment!) this is another disputed point, also it doesn't help that he wears sunglasses. Anegada is very famous for its Lobsters and this is one of the main reasons for our early dinner choices. As we get off our tender and walk along the jetty all we see is lobster-pots holding freshly caught seafood for travellers like us to enjoy later. I feel quite guilty but as I haven't had Lobster for eons I think it's time to say YES!
 
Our young Canadians, Rachel and Bryan decide they will hire Scooters to explore the island, where as the other 6 of us book an open sided coach (called a Rig in these parts) to take us to Loblolly bay and then come and collect us at 4.30p.m. This is such a laid back place, the bars and restaurants are amazing. All small, with every type of juice and alcohol you can imagine which we will try later. Lollobby is a fantastic beach overlooking a reef, the water here is every shade of turquoise, the snorkelling isn't amazing but once we find a good spot to sit on the deep, slightly pink tinged coral sand, out of the wind, this makes for a fabulous beach day to enjoy our picnic we've brought with us. Peter and I sit the furthest point from habitation and find ourselves sat next to a couple, travellers a bit like ourselves but also from England. They have made the most interesting sculpture on the sand made out of flotsam and jetsam collected along the beach. They have been staying at accommodation just behind the beach, which looks like round pods. This couple were due to leave earlier in the week to head to Puerto Rico, but have fell heavily in love with Anegada so prolonged their stay we chat for a while discussing the snorkelling but also the places in the world we've seen.. The lady is a painter and is now sketching her fabulous artistic work. I hope you like my photo.
 
We get back to the beach bar at the Anegada Reef Hotel for happy hour at 5p.m. and have a Painkiller cocktail to prepare ourselves for dinner at Barry's. We spend a fantastic hour or so watching the sun go down and as darkness descends we wander along the thin sliver of beach above the tide line and all arrive at the restaurant for our agreed 7pm. meet. Our table is on the beach, Scott is at the head at one end and Anna one of our new Swiss friends at the other. Most of us have the half lobster meal, with Brian having a whole one. Again we have a brilliant night of superb company, food and cocktails. This is just day after day of Awesome moments. So different to our Galapagos boat trip but very memorable in so many ways.