01:24.81S 106:05.70E

Noon on passage 112 miles run with 123 miles to go to Penuba.

We left Belitung yesterday (28 Oct) at 0830 to make the 235 mile passage to Penuba in the Lingga Islands.  We departed in company with Charon (Richard and Janet from Australia) which unfortunately ran aground on the reef.  We stood by to assist by towing them off but several guys from the fleet still at anchor came out in their dinghies and Alexandro dived under Charon to check she was OK before she was able to back off.  We followed her out of the reefs using previous waypoints until we were both in safe water.  We then parted company and we motored all day in poor visibility and with no wind.

During the night we had several big squalls and some torrential rain.  The first for months and a good wash for the yacht. However, there was also a great deal of lightening which is always scary on a yacht.  If it becomes a threat the only thing to do is turn off all the electronics and disconnect the satellite phone.  With the radar on albeit only briefly we were able to see the massive area of squalls around us but the lightening did not seem a threat so we carried on as normal.  We did however acquire several stowaways sheltering from the squalls in the form of 8 tiny swifts that settled on the sail bag and in shelter under the solar panels and the bimini cover.  Later in the night we also discovered two hawks sheltering under the boom.  Unfortunately dawn saw the two hawks enjoy an early breakfast before most of the swifts could escape.