Day 19 Wed 5 May

Wow!! What a change! An hour ago we were wallowing and struggling to grind out a measly two and a half miles per hour, bumping our way into head wind, seas and current. And with the prospect of a day or two more of the same. Then the wind backed 30 degrees, into the South. Here was a chance to sail! Haul the mainsail up, flapping eagerly, now bend the course to the Southwest, putting the wind 50 - 60 degrees on the port bow, roll out the genoa (our big jib), tweak the Monitor, and watch the speed climb! 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 knots. Then 8.5, and 8.8 - 9.0 knots!! Boat heeled over, sluicing along, determined, heading for the Marquesas. Dropped back a little now, 8.5, and heading a little too much West, but velocity made good (VMG) to the waypoint at Hiva Oa is over 7 knots. This is what I had hoped for on the dark night watches, labouring bravely against the steep weather. May it last! The conditions found by boats ahead of us indicate winds strengthening and backing (tending anticlockwise, e.g. SW > S > SE) support the hope that they WILL last. Much relief! 8 knots VMG means 192 miles in 24 hours toward the island of Hiva Oa! That's what we're doing now. Rejoice with us, we are on our way. 900 miles to go, only 4 ½ days at this rate. More likely 6 days. It feels like riding a horse at full gallop!! YEA!! Praise God and pass the winch handle!!