I have a hard time assigning superlatives. I tend to experience life in an abstract way that doesn’t depend heavily on specific, quantifiable metrics. So when I say that this was the best day ever, take that with a grain of salt. There were other best days. They might have been better, who knows. Not me 🙂

Today started slowly, in the usual ways. After coffee and breakfast I headed up to the cockpit to knock a quick tiller repair project off the list. With that success behind me I focused on the horizon.

I had wanted to sail around the little islet in our bay, since we arrived. It looked just perfect and today, the conditions for sailing were too! I rigged up Fatty (our Fatty Knees sailing dinghy) and called down to Ru to join me. Though she had been keen earlier, she was busy helping Vick make hommus, and couldn’t be swayed, so I was left to my own devices.

The sail around the island was everything I expected it to be. When I rounded the western point, I found myself reflecting to my childhood. To sailing N10s and our little blue jay. To wishing that I was in crystal turquoise waters with a warm breeze blowing me on my way. I’m proud that I could honor that boy’s wish.

I swung back around to Convivia to pick up Ruby and some snacks, and we did the loop around the island together. This was her first official sailing lesson (she’s been studying the Opti book), and she did quite well. At one point Ruby said, “Dad, can we stay here for ever?”

We returned home for lunch and afternoon coffee and then I took the kids to shore so Vick could have some time alone (read: clean the floors). The kids hit the beach running. They went shell hunting, made up games on the sand banks, and did some exploring. After a while, Miles came over and told me that he too was having the best day ever.

After the beach, we decided to sail around the point to the next bay, and on the way had a short visit from a sea turtle. The kids took over Fatty and I sat back and enjoyed being cheaufered around.

It’s hard to capture what was so magical about the day. There was a rhythm to it for sure, but also something of the place, the time, and our collective mindspace.

The sun is setting on this best day ever and even as I reflect on it I’m starting to look forward to the next one. I guess that’s how it goes with best days 🙂