21:13.245 S   137:08.169 W

24/6/08   12:00

We anchored with two anchors in tandem last night and didn’t move an inch.  The grey seems to have blown through and we have had a sunny morning to do some incredibly expensive provisioning.

16:30

We left at 12:15.   The anchor was totally buried in mud and it took a while to clear it.  I wished we’d found the mud the first time we anchored here.

An hour of motoring saw us clear of the lagoon.  Much to my surprise the forecast of SW Force 5 was actually on cue and we’re sailing nicely.  We have the staysail pretending to be the mainsail, but don’t think it’s actually doing much.

21:30

Horizon clouds obscured the sunset tonight. The SW Wind had held all day and we’re whizzing along with the wind just forward of the beam.

25/6/08  08:00

The wind held all night and is only just decreasing.  Dawn was a non event blocked by a band of clouds on the horizon

12:00

There is just enough wind to maintain 5-6 knots. Lovely sunny day.  Yesterday’s run was a respectable 172 miles all of it under sail once we’d left the lagoon.  Another 293 takes us to “Hao.” The entrance through the barrier reef is well lit with leading lights and could even be attempted at night.