Rain, Rain!
31 May 2019 | South Pacific Ocean
Gabrielle
Water Music had a wash last night. At about 0330 the heavens opened and carried on for about 90 minutes soaking everything and everyone - including Brian, then myself who were on watch at the times. It also made me accept that the forehatch was still leaking as gabrielle was eventually able to have a bath. I know she has craved for one for some time - i just dont think she expected it to be at the same time (& place) as when she was tucked up in bed for the night.
Before that we had a relatively quiet day - Grace revelling in her new found skill as a barber, having taken over trimming Stephen's wild and unruly hair. This was last expertly cut in Domenica by Will and his fine styling has lasted a long way. We hope he will think his successor has matched his diligence. If not - he'll have to come back and do it again!
For dinner last night we had spatchcocked, barbequed chicken. This is a first for us to light the barbeque whilst under way and did mean that we had to dip the ensign early - or risk setting fire to it and everything else around. We dont think that there is anyone around to report us to RTYC for a breach of flag etiquette - but you never know. The food was delicious and the bbq under control - meaning we didnt need to get out the greek fire extinguishers that the Galapagos military were so keen on photographing.
Our one bit of bad news was in the middle of the bbq, when we evidently ran through a shoal of tuna and got a double strike on the rods. A decent size yellow fin tuna jumped off the lure as we were landing it - but it was worse on the other side as we lost the whole rod. It clearly hadnt been tied on and that was the end of that.
We are now making deliberately slow progress to Manihi - one of the atolls in the Tuamotos. Slow, because we dont want to arrive there before dawn tomorrow as the pass into the lagoon is narrow and festooned with coral heads. to do that at night would be what the politicians describe as courageous. We expect to have to stand off for about 4 hours and will try to get our way in at dawn - which is about 0500.