I was so pleased to be taking my last antibiotic this morning. My ear is so much better and finally unblocked, I am still using the antibiotic ear drops and will see the ENT guy on the 24th for a check up. He said I cant swim for at least 2 weeks, so I wont be getting into the water until I get back from the UK on the 26 September. I am feeling loads better, almost back to normal, I think the double dose of strong antibiotics really took it out of me.
Rowan went for a long snorkel this morning and was very happy about the coral he saw, the reef of coral runs the entire extent of the bay. I on the other hand did some long overdue boat cleaning!
In the afternoon we went and gave Miriam the caretaker her Cava, her husband and nephew were there, all very affable and friendly. A very quiet and remote life they must lead. We had seen some people walking along the hilltop in the morning and read about a path to the top of the hill. Miriam told us the path goes down the other side to a village, where they sometimes walk to if they run out of food in bad weather! I’m not that convinced she has done it very recently, it is a very steep climb! The nephew showed us the start of the track, passing a lot of infrastructure from the abandoned resort. It was a steep climb up though some rocky terrain initially and then it was through dense acacia forest. No thorns on this acacia, I guess as there are no animals that eat it. The ground looked very fragile, the top soil is very shallow and dry. Once we got to the top it was obvious that cattle have been kept here, not currently as it was way too dry and nothing green for them to eat. We had a great look out from the top and could see the bays on either side of the island, we were on a narrow spine. The wind was rushing down to the sea creating all sorts of patterns on the water around PolePole, like exploding wind bombs on the water surface. It felt good to to do some strenuous exercise at last.
Early supper and bed as Rowan had a 3am call to get up for!
The path through the acacias to the top of the hill
Clambering through lava rocks at times
View to the other side of the island, another big bay
The very dry hill top between the two bays, PolePole on the left
The wind bomb patterns on the water
PolePole and the other two monohulls with a chink of sunlight through the clouds
Miriam the caretaker pleased to get our cava. So funny they all think it is sooo cold at 23 degrees!
Just had to include this as it is so funny, especially coming from sleepy old Beccles, the town down the road from us in Suffolk
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