Are we there yet?

Juffa
Bill and Caroline
Fri 30 Aug 2013 18:00
17:41.69S 163:48.42W
Finally half way to Vava'u, Tonga.

When there has been wind, it has been a little fickle, shifting from ESE through E to ENE and back again, regularly. Trying to catch the wind while steering in the right direction and avoiding the confused seas built up by the confused winds is a bit of a challenge to one's patience.

One highlight on the journey so far has been the catching of a large (5ft plus) Mahi Mahi and the subsequent fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner (or breakfast, dinner and tea depending where you originate from)for the next 2 weeks at least. Inventive menu selection and presentation keep the interest in fish dishes alive...maybe. Impressive photos to be added depending on internet availability.

The watch system, of 3 hours on and 3 hours off, has now reverted back to the tried and tested 6 hour system for sleep - from 1800-0000h and 0000-0600h which means there is enough time to sleep even if you need to get up when not on watch (eg for whale spotting, sail changes, a second opinion...)while maximizing sunrise and sunset (green flash) opportunities.

And Gavin the Gecko has definitely got a friend. Gavin (or Gertrude) was spotted having lost a section of his/her tail. Shortly afterwards 'the other gecko' with intact tail made a break for freedom as the mainsail was hoisted and now is comfortably residing in the awning (aka tarpaulin) stored temporarily in the fruit net. The two have not been spotted together, but we assume they are known to each other.



--