And then Sophie arrived in a whirl of huge purple hard cased wheely suitcase – just perfect for a yacht! We were so utterly thrilled to see her we forgave her instantly! She came bearing gifts of Branston Pickle, Jo Malone and Percy Pig – those totally essential items for Richard, me and Oscar….
We had a wonderful eight days with her and managed to motor everywhere pretty much with her total love of life on the ocean waves. We sailed maybe three hours in total and were totally blessed with the most superb weather for her – only on the last day did it rain and we were going to the spa then for reconstruction so it didn’t matter much. Sophie and Oscar had not seen each other since Christmas last year and it was wonderful for them both to spend time together.
We cooked on board with Charlotte and Sophie sharing the galley kitchen which was great fun. Having discovered a wonderful small Italian deli in a nearby village we dined like kings.
Having drinks onboard Meteorite – our pals – was hysterical as they were owners of a media agency and Sophie took no time to get digital media information out of them! It is a very good job that someone in the family is busy working!!
We pottered around the Mamanucas poking into little anchorages and snorkelling off the reefs whilst watching small sea planes land right alongside us in one anchorage which was very special.
We anchored off Mala Mala Island which is a private beach club – the club tender came out to pick us up and we swam in the infinity pool and sipped cocktails with the boat anchored just off. The kids celebrated a chum’s birthday with a whole day on Mala Mala Island – R and I spent the day on the far side of this tiny island in a beach cabana facing the ocean and far away from the booming music. 
We also went to Cloud 9 which Sophie was uber keen to visit as is a sort of floating Soho House bar/pizza restaurant right out on the reef – it was totally dreadful and full of tourists! 
But they enjoyed it which was the whole point and the location is wonderful with the reef right outside – we anchored the boat quite close and spent the morning out on the reef. 
Oscar taught Sophie to scuba dive here in about 9 metres of water which was perfect – she took to it brilliantly and had a wonderful dive with me snorkelling along trying to take interesting photos! 
It was utterly wonderful to have us all together and I so enjoyed the time which sadly, as always, went way too fast and was just so sad saying goodbye as she flew back to Hong Kong and work…..
Sophistikate 