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Meeting up with Mum and Dad in Pine Island

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Meeting up with mum and dad in Pine Island and stopping first for lunch at Captain Con's Fish Restaurant.

Back to the boat to drop off the bags

then we take the dingy over to a sand spit to have a bit of a swim and cool down

Taking the boat from Pine Island back to Pelican Bay with dad at the helm. I think he was more into racing than getting there as he kept taking us where the wind wanted to take us so the boat would go faster but unfortunately this was in the completely wrong direction!!

We put him up the bow in the end to keep an eye out for traffic and to stop him taking us up to New Orleans!!

Mum's had enough and has resorted to reading her book

and me and Stu are in our rightful place back at the wheel!!

and here we are anchored off of Pelican Bay

Back over to Usspepa and out in the dingy on a bird spotting mission, before heading off to the beach

Lots and lots of Pelicans

Ibis on the shore

Then we take another trip down the Love Tunnel and to the beach for the day. On the way we bumped into a Manatee (quite literally!) he was super friendly and popped up a few times to say hello. The closest and best view we had had of one yet. Although we were all to busy looking and forgot to take pictures!

On the beach where we set up camp for the day

I don't think it is hurricane proof but will do us for the day!

Me and mum taking a dip in the sea to cool off

off to look for shells

Oh dear, looks like the Crowhurst Massacre!

Dashed back to the boat after that as the thunder clouds were coming over

As the sun comes down, it must be Beer O'Clock!

Time for a spot of fishing, "what do you think Mano??"

"How exciting John, lets catch some fish!"

"Bugger that, I'm bored your not catching anything!"

..... "hang on a minute"

"looks like he's got a bite"

"Hurrah fish for super "

Awwww, poor little fishy :-(

But don't worry crazy G he got released back into the wild

Much to Mano's disapproval, "I don't want stinking biscuits, where's me bleedin fish???"

Our only other rewards from fishing were a slimy cat fish and a baby shark, which both got a second chance at life!

The girls can get on with a spot of reading whilst the boys play with the fish

No fish dinner tonight i'm afraid

Another busy day is over!

The power boats racing past in the channel

and more power boats anchored with us in Useppa

Back over at Pine Island and Stuart and Dad are back with the water. The last fill we were able to get there as the land owner spotted them and told them to "Get off my Land!" The guy recently brought the land, in the process kicking off the original islanders most of them OAP's living a peaceful existance in trailers. He has gained the right to build condo's here and will sell it off to the highest bidder in a few years time for a huge profit and what was a nice peaceful area will be ruined with high raise condos spoiling the landscape. (This is just the lo down from the locals, so don't sue me!)

Over to Matlacha for the day to check out all the quirky little shops and bars

On to a cool little sea food store for a quick beer and for mum and dad to write their postcards. If you look closely the first engine hanging from the ceiling on the right is our old Seagull!!! (Well not our exact one, but one similar!)

Then over Jack and Suzie's for the evening

Now off for a sail across Charlotte Harbour and to Fisherman's Village and to the marina for the night

Off to have a quick look around the shops before heading back for a dip in the pool

Its Captain John! Watch out!!

The next day we head back to Pine Island and mum takes charge

Here she is telling us all about the tides and the best route back!

Whilst Stuart and dad watch in amazement at all mums seaworthy knowledge!

One last check, but no, everything is fine you can all have a rest now, says captain G

Cheers!

Safe and Sound back in Pine Island for my Parents last night here, blimey looks like it must be beer o'clock again!

and time for one last bar-b courtesy of chef Stuart

One last sunset for luck!

One last dingy ride back to the island

Bye bye :-(

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