Malua is at 13:19.3N 46:59.56W at 1200 on 6/12/2012

Distance covered 2116

Distance to go 739

Daily run 115

Well the wind finally arrived on day 17 ( I write this a day late)  At dawn the wind came from the East and we switched off the engine after 70 hour of continuous running.

The day 16 was hot as hell with as you can imagine no wind.  We were able to keep the hatches open as well as the port lights.  But it still gets hot.  In my quarter berth there is little or no air circulation so I set up a fan but I still drink a litre of water during the night.  The water situation now that the generator is not working has held up well considering we shower every second day, Piers did some washing and we do keep a clean galley with everything washed up and stowed.  The large water tank of 388 l has finally come to an end.  The drinking water – in the stainless steel tank is down to the last few drops so that has left us with 250 l in tank 3 for the balance of the journey which we estimate will be 5 to 6 days.  No more washing and no more showers unless we get a heavy rain shower or make water.

Sundancer is now hoping for less wind and less rain.  The wind is taking its toll on their self steering.  The battery is still low due to the alternator but Iain is happy with the situation.  Their freezer has leaked refrigerant so they have no more cold beers and the food now has to be eaten.  They had roast beef last night.  The rain seems to come down in bucket fulls finding new leaks in their boat.  Helen I understand would be happy to reach St Lucia tomorrow.

Malua is just happy to have some wind again.  Our speed has picked up and we are pointing in the right direction.

Piers has now finished reading 15 books on his Kindle while I am rereading Solomon Time and A House Somewhere.  I closed Slow Travel which is about a middle class Perth woman sailing through the poor countries of the world to try and help in east Africa.  I didn't like the book when I first read it and now stopped half way.  The sailing is boring and the land travel does not deserve comment.

A magical moment on Malua