While I’m here - a quick update on the status of Isla Perdiguera. It seems that I am behind the times with my information: the island was sold to a private individual, but when he found that he couldn’t get permission to build a hotel here he kicked up a fuss. The more so since (according to the rumours) he had been under the impression that he was buying the whole island, including the man-made beach and the part which, according to the government / vendors is actually a separate isle. As a result, he has now been granted lands elsewhere and the entire island has now reverted to government ownership.

Rumour also tells me that the place is to be made into a Nature Reserve, with a warden. I can’t see this happening - unless the Audouins take up residence - and I don’t honestly think that it would be a good thing. At the moment this is a very special, completely unique place. People come here and enjoy themselves in a completely unrestricted, unregulated manner - they swim, and camp, and fish, and light fires on the beach, all without anybody’s permission - and most of them take home their litter and do no harm. The world needs places like this for people like Roxanne to explore. People who don’t get the chance to handle nature cannot be expected to understand and respect it.

Jill