Our wind generator, an Air-X is a bane to our ears (and everyones' around us) when it gets going with the noise it makes; I'm sometimes terrified by it when it starts to really power up as it screams and wails like a banshee. We can't have the genny on at night as it keeps us awake, reducing our power making potential.

For some time now, Colin has been hankering after a set of 'blue blades'. These blades are handmade from carbon fibre to reduce much of the noise; unfortunately they cost €300 new which is way beyond our budget.

When we were in Lagos a used Air-X was put up for sale on the Navigators website which included a pair of blue blades. Colin approached the seller to ask about selling the blades separately, but they didn't want to. So we put them out of mind.

On Wednesday we were just heading off for an evening on Red Snapper when a passing dinghy called out to us - it was the couple from Lagos who had been selling the Air-X. He mentioned he had sold the generator unit but still had the blades and to 'make him an offer'. The next day we did, it was accepted and Colin is now a happy lad.

I went for a walk this morning for a couple of hours, by the time I was back they were bought and fitted.

They are so much quieter, maybe enough to sleep with the genny going, although there is still a whining noise caused by the alternator spinning. Colin has plans for how to reduce that too but it involves a bit more work such as welding so we'll get that priced up in Ragusa.

Good things come to those who wait and all that!