A quick look at the map of Guadeloupe shows you that it is shaped like a butterfly, with a river dividing the two wings; for the last few days we have been based in the marina, which is (sorry) at the butterfly’s bum. Historically it has been possible for shallow-draft boats like ourselves to sail up-river from here, to get to the north of Guadeloupe where there is a huge bay half-full of reefs, rocks, mangrove swamps and tiny islands, and where you get a good jumping-off point for going to Antigua. However, a few years ago the good government decided that the two bridges would no longer be opened for yachts, so this is no longer possible. So here we are – heading south to go north.

Yesterday afternoon we left the marina and just did a quick three-mile sail to anchor inside the reefs between the small town of Gosier and the Ilet de Gosier. The island is tiny with nothing but a daytime beach bar and a lighthouse, but lovely white coral beaches and very shallow snorkelling. Sitting on the back of the boat with our sundowners, the difference between the two wings of the butterfly is very obvious: we were in the flatter east, with palm trees and sunshine; while in the west – our goal for today – were mountains, rain and storm-clouds. Oh well.

G has reminded me that we never answered two of Jill G’s questions. Here we are:

What books did we bring? Obviously, G didn’t bring any, apart from technical manuals. I brought my Kindle, which makes life very simple. I also started out with half a dozen ‘real’ books from the Village Hall book sale, some of which I have read and enjoyed, others less so; when finished, these usually get taken to the book exchanges that you tend to find at marinas around the world (less frequently nowadays though). At the last book exchange I picked up an Amy Tan which, according to its inscriptions, had started in Brighton Marina, made its way to Chiang Mai, then to Rodney Bay and next will be swapped out in Antigua, fingers crossed. On the Kindle, I’ve been working my way through our book club books, where available.

Music choices? G listens to music, I’m more of a podcast person (with about three months backlog of Archers episodes). We have an iPod which has almost all our combined music collection on it. Duncan (G’s son) suggested Spotify as a source of music so G subscribed to the service and it’s great. G downloaded all sorts of playlists before we left UK from Spotify – lots of country music and many other genres. All can be played through the deck speakers.

Finally, today’s picture is of a Superyacht (Megayacht?) called Le Grand Bleu, anchored outside Port a Pitre. We last saw this boat off Cowes some years ago. It is so huge that it carries a yacht (which is bigger than us) hanging from davits on its port side and has a really large motor launch hanging on its starboard side. If they want to use the helipad, the yacht has to be lowered into the water so its mast doesn’t get in the way. Angus – this could be the one you have been looking for all these years!