So we have this lovely friendly group of boats, here and in Isabela. There are six of us and we have had so much fun. We communicate using WhatsApp. We share jokes. We share information - for example, about what has just come into the supermarket or the latest news. We have quizzes and countdown events. Tomorrow we will try a scavenger hunt - we will report back on how that goes. Yes, we would all far rather be sailing, but we are actually making the best of it and having a fun time, recognising that we are lucky to be safe in harbour and supporting each other during a bit of a sticky wicket.

Contrast that with another WhatsApp group we are members of, in another cruising area 3,000 miles to the west of here that shall remain nameless. There are about 150 members. We joined, thinking that we would get access to factual information on how things are going there for when (and if) we get there. I can only hope when this is all said and done someone who understands human dynamics get a chance to analyse the traffic from this group. As the days have gone by we have seen less fact and more internal feuding, name-calling, rumour-mongering and toxic finger-pointing amongst a few of the members - all out there in the open. Doubtless, nearly all the members are really great people but a few have somehow hijacked the thing to the point where it is no longer functional for its original purpose, and a new group is being created to try to make a fresh start. Watching it made me think back to Lord of the Flies - one of the few books I read at school. These are not ordinary times and there are people all thrown together who would probably rather be away on their own in an isolated bay; but thrown together they are. Surely what defines people in such times are the choices they make on what they do and how they show up each day. Anyway...

Back on Barracuda:
- Irish Gaelic and Spanish lessons continue - focusing on language for social distancing.
- Preparations are underway for our next inter-boat game night (report to follow).
- Lockdown has been extended until the 12th April.
- No news on swimming.
- The boat has lost most of its green beard. Cleaning, not swimming you understand.
- Bread, yoghurt and banana muffins made today.
- We shone a bright search light over the back of the boat last night and found a bit of a shark fest in our non-swimming pool.