On the home stretch

Monday 24th March

We had a windy night last night, up to 24 knots true wind. For comfort Val & I reefed the main at about midnight and then I got up again at 5 and reefed the genoa with Paul. By about 10 we let all the sail out again, and have been coping with lighter winds all day. ETA is still Friday, unless we get a big hurry up. We will probably arrive on Thursday late, but I wont go in to a strange harbour in the dark, I might bump into something hard.

I think one boat, the French Trimarin has arrived and there are 2 others saying that they will be in tomorrow, so I think we're not doing too badly. The 2 Aussies should be in Wednesday.

The one big disappointment on this leg for all of us has been the almost total lack of sea-life. we have seen 1 pod of dolphins - with about 3 or 4 in it only - during the entire 3000 miles. On the fishing front there's no doubt that with 4 lures gone and no fish to show, we have lost out badly.

It looks like Paul will get his flights OK as his first one is from Hiva Oa on the 31st and we have just 557 miles left to go.