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Firefly - Past halfway



At 0840 on Tuesday 11th March we passed the halfway point with approx 1500 miles under our keel and 1500 more to go. Overnight the wind has increased and we are now broad reaching in 20+ knots and are starting to consider reefing down as Firefly is going very fast and its beginning to get a bit bumpy.

Now we are the downhill slope we are starting to think about our next destination; Hiva Oa the largest island in the Marquesas - we will make landfall at Baie Tahauku near the town of Atouna. This is the official port of entry where we shall clear customs and take on supplies and hopefully have an injection of culture and possibly French wine. The population of the town is just over 1500 so we are not expecting to completely re-provision Firefly but should be able to pick up essentials like French Bread . The harbour is quite small and not big enough for the whole World ARC fleet so we will probably be moved on after three days to explore the island group. The French artist Gaugin lived in Atuona as well as in Tahiti and there is a museum which we plan to visit but sadly like the museum in Tahiti (which Peter visited years ago) there are no original paintings. Gaugin as well as the French songwriter Jacques Brel died here and are both buried in the town's cemetery. There are reported to be some good walks up into the hills and down to nearby bays so just the exercise needed for our unfit sea legs.

We did not put out the line today giving us and the fish a break from the stress of it all. We will try again tomorrow!

Paul, David and Peter

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