Less "whacked" than expected
Well, we feel better than anticipated, so here is an extra blog.
We have made excellent progress and have much appreciated the better seas. There is still a big 4M swell so the weather South must have been rather bad. The ocean here is now 26.8C which is very inviting. Beats Sydney!
Will and I had a strenuous night. We have been gybing downwind but just keeping the headsail filling while avoiding gybing off the back of swells and waves. Last night was particularly interesting with clouds obscuring the stars and no moon most of the night. What we were doing was dinghy sailing in the dark (and without the wind instruments which are usually very useful at night). Well, it all went off okay and we are now about 57NM from Dumbea Pass which leads into the Lagoon and ultimately to Port Moselle. All going well, we will be in with time to get cleaned up and have a sleep before Customs etc arrive in the morning. We're running about 9hrs ahead of our best schedule, despite all the "happenings". With Bastille Day Saturday, we should be able to organise some things before things close down. Like finding Stainless steel welding facilities.
Still some last minute brushing up to do on the French. Perhaps the truth is that there is a huge amount of work still required but we have been doing some each day.
Regards from all, Dave
