A short dinghy ride from Wind Horse lies the island of Ilnacullin, with its world-famous gardens.

Rain squalls and sun are playing tag, and while the weather is not perfect, it is forecast to get a lot worse, so off we go.

Ilnacullin is the work of Annan Bryce, the original owner, and Harold Petro, landscape architect, and dates from the early part of the last century.

This being a damp climate (have we mentioned this fact before?) with eight or more feet (2.4m) of annual rainfall, there is no problem with lack of moisture.

A huge variety of plants and flowers abound, and even the more technically inclined members of our crew enjoy the sights.

Perhaps the most amazing fact is that these 37 acres of dense foliage are maintained by a crew of six men.

There are remnants of fortifications, of course. This is one of the guard towers we mentioned earlier, that were built during the Napoleonic wars.

Ilnacullin is considered one of the five loveliest gardens in Europe. It averages 65,000 visitors a year between May and October. But today we have it almost to ourselves.

If man can create something this lovely, maybe there is hope for the future after all.