Monday 7th July
By morning the sky has cleared and it’s typical
trade wind conditions; blue skies, puffy white clouds and 25 knots of wind from
the SW. By mid-day Monday 228 miles covered in 24 hours with a reduced headsail
and one reef in the main. Ian repairs the spray-hood. In sight are Akoya and one
other – possibly Strega. The sailing is much more enjoyable today - racing
along trying to get to Tanna before sunset. Annie feeling much better, still
not hungry but happy not to be eating for a change! We pass Mission Station 10
miles to port in the afternoon and soon afterwards, the Island of Tanna
comes into view. After the sun has set the volcano can be seen spurting red hot
lava into the sky in the distance. We arrive at the finishing line in company
with Akoya at 7.30pm, Strega following close behind. We let Akoya overtake so
we can follow her in ! There’s reef on both sides out here –it’s
a dodgy entrance in the dark but Kealoha , already anchored, very kindly put on
their spreader lights and give us a compass bearing, leading us in on the VHF.
We anchor in 7m. Annie cooks a quick curry then everyone’s tucked up in
bed by 9am. Another first – this has been our first dry passage!