The fruit basket is now empty with little being donated to Neptune this passage. To keep us refreshed for the last few days we have finally got round to opening up the water melon. This good specimen, hand picked by Barney has been stored over Peter's berth since the Galapagos so one less health and safety hazard too. The veg is still going strong, we finished the white cabbage yesterday; it seemed to go on for ever and still another red cabbage to go. We understand there are limited supplies of fruit and veg to buy in the Marquesas with most grown for their own needs however if we are lucky we might be given some of their surplus by friendly locals - a bunch of bananas would be great!
This morning's radio indicated that we continue to enjoy some stronger winds than many (25 to 30 knots from the ESE), possibly because we are further south. We are therefore closing the gap on others in the fleet that are nearby as we make our final run in.
We are pleased to be moving fast and are really looking forward to the forthcoming landfall - we have now been at sea for 14 days. However, the combination of the wind strength, direction and current has kicked up a confused and rolling sea with waves up to 4 metres high. Every time Firefly gets lined up with one, she surges forward. Life down below has become a little unstable making cooking and meals a challenge and things tend not to remain where you left them - so far the kettle whistle has stayed put.
Paul, David and Peter