Twenty-three people on an Island, and they’re all family, sounds like the start of a reality show. Before we went we were warned it would all end in arguments and tears, how wrong they where. I already consider my self lucky with the amount of travelling I’ve done over the years, but without exception this family holiday was a trip way beyond my expectations, simply the best.

After school I worked in a factory, sure there was the obligatory apprenticeship, but the end goal was a ob that took thirty minutes to complete before it started all over again. I didn’t realize at the time, it was the best thing that could have happened to me.

If it wasn’t for redundancy I could still be there, since I started windsurfing life changed beyond my wildest dreams. Every now and again it goes wrong, but then I’ve got the factory memories to remind me how lucky I’ve been. But after this trip I don’t know how it gets better.

Its hard to pick out a best day (worst would be easy, hangover), but a few of the kids had the round the island trip down on there list. Granddad wanted to sail with the grandchildren, but we didn’t expect to do it all at once. We motored up wind for a bit of snorkeling before continuing out into the rougher Atlantic seas.

I sat on the fore beam with the kids to get a soaking as the bows dropped into larger waves. It was more like a Disney ride than boating, but once in calmer waters it was wind power for the rest of the trip. Not sure if it was the emotion or the rum punch, but Granddad was wearing a silly grin, but then he fell over and I knew it was the punch.

The following day has to go in my book as being perfect. It started out with a pre breakfast session in the gym followed by two hours windsurfing. Yes the wind had arrived, big sails, but enough to let Reece get the board into the air for the first time. His confidence had really come this week and was generally out on the water before me, but seeing the fin clearing the water made my day, and it was only ten o’clock.

The wind tends to ease back near midday so we swapped boards for boats and joined in a game of tag in the Topper Topaz’s. Half of the grandchildren have never been in a boat so Henry used tag as a way to get them on the water. The Topaz is almost indestructible, which is a good job the way some were sailing them, but by the time we headed home everyone could handle a boat with confidence.

We weren’t the only ones to head up to Prickly Pear, but what a perfect lunch spot. As we had one of the ribs with us I got the boys to act as rescue while I tried out a bit of kite surfing. It was a bit sketchy going over the reef, but how could I resist trying my first jumps with my brothers sitting on the beach. I dropped the kite on Sunsail’s beach just as the sun was setting and the rum shack was serving, not that I wanted any.

That may have been my perfect day, but this was my perfect trip, all my family and hobies in one place. OK a race track and a GXSR 1000 wouldn’t have gone a miss, but even dreams can’t bring everything together.

The funny thing is, after running away from boats and trying to get out of the shadow of my father and brother, is was good to be back in both.

Quick thanks to www.itsallaboutwater.co.uk for the extra pix.. nearly got myelf in trouble, Aaron took some for me, not bad for ten year old