17 13S 149 06W
Libertyatsea10
Wed 4 Aug 2010 14:23
Approaching Papeete Pass to Tahiti. Cannot believe that we are really sailing into
this place which has always just existed on TV for us..
We have had no wind for the last 24. lots of squalls and a bit of thunder and lightning. Benj really quite apprehensive about the weather and has decided he hates sailing.
I understand how he feels, we are always busy with boaty stuff or sleeping off watch and here he is , out of books, gamed out, and no kids to play with. I have a feeling if there is a mall
in Tahiti I will be made to pay. However, I worry a bit as there is so much sailing to do , and it is not interesting when you're 10. Come to think of it, with the engine on, we are all bored rigid,
We had so much rain yesterday it felt just like a Dublin Summer. johan and I got out on deck with all the various kit for cleaning and had a good go in the rain. The teak is bleached white from the salt and sun and looks absolutely beautiful. The sails had a good clean water rinse and everything looks and smells lovely without the salt, until you realise that you have scrubbed the skin off your hands and you're freezing and soaked. It think we all have trench foot as well....
Glad to be almost here safely. David's weather as always, was spot on and it really helped us to choose a good time to depart AHE. Our friends on Regina were ahead of us had their main sail torn out in a squall. We reef in and out and in and out, until one loses the will. It is quite hard on the hands when it is wet.
Grum still manages to create delicious dishes including today, mushroom and aubergines in roquefort sauce with flat noodles. It was scrumptious and incredible that he comes up with these dishes when we are heaving to and fro. Benj is keen to know if there will be a certain fast food outlet beginning with Mc in Tahiti...Dad not impressed, you take a child half way round the world and the first thing they want to know is if there is a Mc D's!!
The radar dish is moving slightly and we have already re rivetted the bracket, all a to do because the right bracket was not available in Panama. We will have to sort this out in Tahiti as we can do without it crashing down on top of us..The forces at work when the mast is lopping side to side must be huge.
Looking forward to seeing all you holiday makers in Tahiti....!
xxx