Our wind generator has been whirling all day! Yeah! We are so excited to see that our batteries are maintaining a good charge - a better charge than we've seen in months - despite the engine being off and the fridge being on.

The wind picked up last evening and has been blowing ever since. Those three long blades whirled around, making very little noise - less than the flapping of our flag, the water against the hull, or the wind through the rigging. So far, we are absolutely delighted with our purchase.

I did laundry at the marina while Jim puttered about on the boat and by two o'clock we were hustling ashore to join Dick and Tina on a home tour of the "Coastal Cottage Trio". This is a group of houses built by Greg Lane in Amelia Park, and the tour was a benefit for Barnabas Center. Jodie Koford, manager of Ocean Breeze Farm where Tina and I picked up those organic veggies, owns one of the cottage type houses, and it was a treat to visit her beautiful home that was bursting with colour. Jim and I were delighted with the design of the homes and came away with lots of ideas for our next land base. We loved the long, wide porches, the screened three-season rooms tucked into corners, high ceilings and transom windows. The kitchens were gorgeous with wooden cabinets and countertops, and drawer style microwave ovens. All the floors were poured concrete, scored and washed to look like stone tiles - really attractive and easy to care for.

From there, the four of us headed back to the beach to lounge around and absorb a few rays, feeling the heat from the sand and breathing in the salt air as our conversation ranged far and wide. The surf was up and many families were playing in and out of the water all along this great long beach. We were content to sit and talk and watch it all. The day ended with a stop for fish and chips and a stroll back down Centre Street to the Marina where our trusty little dinghy awaited us. We bade fond farewells to Dick and Tina with promises to exchange reading lists and to keep in touch. Our "people time" in Fernandina Beach has been outstanding and it all started with meeting Steve and Sandi in Baddeck, NS last summer. Pretty sweet!

The town is teaming with people here for the long weekend. More marina slips are filled than we have ever seen, the moorings are all occupied, and boats of all descriptions travel back and forth along the waterfront. A whole group of power boaters had their chairs and tables lined up along one of the docks and a party was in full swing as we went by. Out on our mooring, it was a quieter evening - just the water and wind and a couple of pooped and happy visitors.