09:43.5S 133:43.5W

Distance run day 20 – 103 nm,  day 21 – 108 nm

Good news - 296 nm left to go.

Bad news – wind has dropped so we are creeping along at 3 knots and having to use the engine from time to time to keep our speed up.  The forecast was for 14 – 16 knots which would be perfect so we are hoping it picks up.  The wind is also highly variable and changing direction repeatedly which means one or other of us constantly checking and adjusting Barratt, the helm, the sails or all three.

Squalls – lots all round us all morning  and a couple went straight over the top and kindly pressure washed the boat in fresh water. 

Fish caught – 1

Fish landed – 0  Aaaagh.  We will keep trying.

Interesting things done with corned beef – 1  Fried with onion, red and green peppers and Worcestershire Sauce as demonstrated by Brad served with roasted pumpkin and mashed potato. 

We are fine but definitely looking forward to getting there now so that we can sleep through the night and then have a full day awake hopefully without rolling from side to side.  Given that the anchorages in Panama and Glapagos were both very rolly and, of course, we roll while we are sailing downwind, we have not had a flat night since we were in Gatun Lake part way through the Panama Canal over seven weeks ago.  Several of our buddy boats have arrived on Fatu Hiva and changed anchorages because the first one they tried was rolly, so we know exactly where we are going and hopefully it won’t be so crowded that we can find a slot for us.  Jean Marine, Tahani Lee, Peregrine and Apogee are still at sea with us.  It will be either us or Jean Marine who make landfall next.  Plus of course probably many other boats, we only know of those we talk to on the radio or have met along the way.  Dancing Bear are still in Galapagos and apparently hoping to leave any day. 

All for now,  all is well.