healthy breakfast, a brisk morning walk and then a relaxing quiet ride to work. It's the way more Bermudians need to start their day, and they can. I have little choice living on Hinson's Island, but presented with such an idyllic situation let's face it, I don't need another option.

I am a ferry commuter. Granted sometimes I'm a bit sluggish in the morning and find it a challenge to get to the ferry stop on time. I'm forced to pick up my pace on the walk there and sometimes I even run a few yards. Despite my sometimes mad rush from the house, most often I still have a little wait (about three minutes or so) before the ferry arrives at the dock. During this time I tend to have a friendly chat with neighbours also waiting for the ride. In fact it tends to be the only time and area that affords us a chance to mingle and helps us bond as a small community.

Hinson's Island is the first stop for the Warwick ferry on its way to Hamilton. It takes about five minutes to reach us. We know all the crews and with the notable exception of two, they are pleasant, courteous and so willing to help with our sometimes bulky loads, like baby carriages, pedal bikes, and even our trash.

After exchanging the mandatory good mornings we quickly settle into the area where we feel most comfortable. I always sit in the cabin, while others stand in a covered area, some sit up top in the open air and others stay at the bow.

The air feels fresh over the sea and the gentle cruise to Belmont and Darrell's Wharf ? the two stops we must make before arriving in Hamilton, affords me further time to chat with my neighbours, or read articles from my Body & Soul magazine.

Some mornings I need the tranquillity of just lapping up the scenery, recognising how beautiful life is and what a joy it is to live here. I'll see a big grey snapper, marvel at its size and imagine how tasty it would be, or a school of mackerel in a noisy display of their acrobatic ability.

There's no piped music, no news broadcasts and no televisions on board. No exhaust fumes, no bikes buzzing by, no stop signs, no traffic lights, no traffic. You can walk around, stand, sit down or kneel if you want to. You can stick your head out with no fear that traffic whizzing by will knock it off.

You can read, draw, meditate or chat with someone.

Sometimes I get to start work right there onboard. If the ferry crew have newspaper, I get to read it before arriving on the job. I've already worked out follow-up stories we need to do and checked all the advertisements for events taking place we may need to cover.

It's about a 15-minute ride and forces me to get a little exercise with the walks to and from the stops. Yes, there is a schedule and I find it a blessing. I'm forced to get my work done and get out of the office to home sweet home by the allotted time.

But best of all, for a highly strung woman like me, is that it's stress-free.