Yes, we’re still here, still waiting on some parts to arrive, but we’ve had a good couple of days while we wait, and got some useful jobs done too.

Yesterday took us to the Manatee Lagoon; actually an information centre funded and run by Florida Power and Light. FPL have a power plant just by our anchorage, and one of its by-products is warm, fresh water – which manatees love, so they tend to congregate naturally just by the outlets. There was an excellent guided talk, and while we were there, there were three adult manatees and a calf lolling around and poking the occasional nostril up for air.

Interesting manatee facts: they have marching molars, so constantly renew their teeth; they can live to at least 60 years of age; and they can stay underwater for 20 minutes before needing to breathe. And their lives are really made up of eating and napping.

Then today’s highlight was a dinghy visit to walk all round Peanut Island. Its name comes from its shape, and it’s set up as an eco-park, with restored wildlife and vegetation habitats and manufactured snorkelling reefs, but also extensive camping and picnic areas, and white sand beaches too.

Nature watch highlights: the first flying fish and the first barracuda sightings of the season. Apparently there are crocodiles here….

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – Florida style…. (today’s photo)

ICW Mile 1018– 0 statute miles progress.