Kate made it off to Papeete yesterday and her flight from there to LA is at midnight tonight, hopefully no more changes!

I spent the morning encouraging the crew with their concrete work (not sure how much that helped), chatting with Vincent at the yard ( not sure how much that helped either as I speak less French than he does English), and trying to renegotiate my flights for next week.

Everything here closes at noon, for 2 or so hours; I got my baguettes just before the general store sold out of them but they booted me out before I could get the rest of my groceries so waited around in the shade, rode my bike through town, and then had a beer at Make Make, which is the happening place. This is where the people who were only going to be here for a few weeks, in the eighties, still are. Also the laborers on midday break, avoiding their wives, who quickly find them as there's nowhere else.

Afternoon quick hello to Vincent, in case he's forgotten me, then repairs. Some successful some less so but good to spend some time on the boat after so many offshore miles under her keel. Lots and lots of wear and tear.

Evening happy hour/children's hour not really the same on my own, feel vaguely sorry for myself.

Tonight poaching Wifi outside the yard in the dusk. After dark the chickens come out in force here and will chase me off. The sharks control the bay at this hour. I don't even want to know what's going on at Make Make.

Tomorrow will up anchor early I think and do some exploring for a day or two. Before this becomes a routine...