27/6/08  03:00

I’m afraid I’ve been diary delinquent the last few hours.  We’re still sailing

wing-on-wing and have been very lucky with the wind on this leg. For the first time it’s like trade wind sailing.  And it’s warm.

Yesterday was Lee’s birthday and The Gods granted him some sunshine in the afternoon. Lucy bought a cake mix but it didn’t have any  filling or icing so she didn’t make it.  She did  make her usual round of crepes however.

Tonight is quite clear with a very bright half moon smiling down upon us. Last night’s sunset was again obscured by horizon clouds.  At this rate we’ll be there late morning.

06:00

Demetri and I drop the pole.  We are sailing with the baby main alone for a few minutes and are still making 4 ½ knots. So it does do something downwind at least.

12:00

We went through the pass just before 11:00 and motored to the town. Well there are probably several towns as this atoll is huge.  Over 30 miles long.  The lagoon inside is a massive lake.  Yesterday’s run was 147 miles.  The total leg was 473 miles and we only motored for 3 ½ hours plus the getting in and out of the lagoons.

The last couple of today’s snaps show either side of the entrance channel.