Virgin Gorda; Contrasts

I'm glad you all liked Thursday's shot of the Baths, thank-you. I spotted this fellow in the undergrowth today as I was setting up a scenario. He's about 20inches long including that magnificent tail. Just last year scientists identified another 24 species of lizards in these islands, so I'm going no further than I think he's one of the Whiptails, possibly still a juvenile.

A long long long day today, up and out for 20hours.

I'm adapting the courses to an extent based on participants. Originally billed as Advanced First Aid with an emphasis on extended care, in many instances attendees have absolutely no knowledge of the basics, or worse, dramatic knowledge, ie learnt wrong from TV and the movies. Please don't pull out the object that's stopping you bleeding to death....

A day of huge contrasts. Working from a half demolished community centre on the higher East side of the island devastation is clear.
But then a trip to see more of the island, in probably the least safe car I've ever seen, shattered windscreen, passenger seat not fixed in place and a roof made out of plywood. But if that's the only way you can get to work then that's what you have.
We stopped for a drink and the view high above billionaires Bay. So called as all the islands are owned by the super rich. It turned out to be a leaving party for two of Richard Branson's beach staff. Drinks and lavish food laid on, wealth everywhere. 30 minutes earlier we'd driven past people with tarpaulins for a roof. Hurricane season officially starts in two weeks....
Later we went to meet some of the rescue team based on this island, in conversation it was explained to me there are some places that I really shouldn't go at night. Hard to comprehend when you're yards from the partying spoilt kids fresh from their yachts.

*And, to be clear, many of the rich who are invested in and love these islands have done much to help. One bought and shipped in 150 generators the day after Erma, another used their own boats and helicopters to evacuate people. But many have simply left, taking their wealth elsewhere. Branson himself seemed affable enough, but it wasn't lost on me that when he left and the freebies disappeared so did most of the crowd, and just the ignored few workers were left to carry on.

Philosophy Friday
It's a terrible thing in life to wait until you are ready.
I have this feeling as I grow older that no-one is ever really ready, there is almost no such thing as ready.
There is only now.