"We've really enjoyed the Cook Islands - like most of the other Polynesian islands, Raratonga has a lush mountainous interior, and a beautiful turquoise lagoon inside the encircling reef. The one way in which it differs from the Islands of French Polynesia is the people; they're unbelievably pleasant and affable - it's as though the minister of congeniality had said "right folks, you have to smile and be pleasant to everyone you meet"; people slow down their scooters so they can smile and wave at you as they pass, and it's the same wherever you are. Shops, garages, banks, restaurants - even THE HARBOURMASTER is friendly. If he behaved in this way in the Caribbean, he'd be sectioned under the Mental Health Act for several months!
"Tony and Julian [Amery] left a few days ago; we had a really great time with them, and were sorry to see them go. We walked round Raratonga golf course with them (and I caddied for Mie there a couple of days ago).
"We've had a scooter for the last few days, and it's great to be mobile. The scooters are fantastic - 100cc Yamahas with electric self start, and we whizz around the island on it. Mie may not agree to the Harley-Davidson, but she may concede one of these when we get home - that's if you the children don't forbid it.
"We had planned to leave for Niue by now, but Bob McDavitt is forecasting some heavy weather in a few days so we're waiting till things pick up. I can think of worse places in which to make time!"