Weather vagaries, Oct 26

It has rained, been cloudy, in full fun. . . a dozen times today. I asked what the weather was likely to be and got a shrug and "whatever". And Melbourne thinks that they have dibs on the most variable weather! At least here it is uniformly warm.

We snorkeled the"marine reserve" adjacent to our resort. Unfortunately the powers that be did not declare it a reserve until after the tourist boats, local fish hunters, etc had damaged the coral. It was rather like snorkelling over a cemetery. But I did see a very big schnapper at a cleaning station. . . at least an arm's length.

Our resort is full of enthusiastic French speaking guests and staff. The staff talk incomprehensible patois to each other. They organise lots of activities for the adults and children with background music so that even if only lying on a banana lounge you are part of the action.

Jo's toes are pseudo goutish and he fears he might be getting a cold. He hopes that the aspirin for the former will nip the later in the bud.