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Timshel - Galapagos to Marquesas Day 24 - Landfall!



We had a busy night, not much sleep - lots of squalls, thunder and lightning - big cracks of fork lightning this time not just the distant flashes. Steve had me put the EPIRB, the Satphone, the ipad and the mobile VHF into the oven (in case of a strike). And of course sluicing rain, and wind, up to 30, 35 knots often from a different direction, so you'd be careering off in whatever direction it took you and gradually you would manage to reef the sails, gain control and organise to get back on course and the boat would be sailing lovely and making good progress, but then the wind would drop away, and then some more until you had to set more sail, just when it had lulled you into a false sense of security, bang the next one hit and you'd be off all over again. Daylight brought sunshine and nicer weather but just not quite enough wind. Steve sighted land at lunchtime, dark islands on the horizon. We noticed that we started to see birds, some brown boobies flying all round the boat, and a pod of dolphins swam alongside for a bit. Eventually we realized that if we could make just a knot or 2 more of boat speed we had a chance to make it in to Hiva Oa before dark. A night entrance is not recommended. So we reluctantly furled the sails and started the engine and motored for the finish. We arrived after 23 days and 8 hours and 18 minutes at sea. TBC and Rainbow waved and hooted and whistled to welcome us, we anchored outside the breakwater near them as there was no room in the inner harbour. Had some dinner and crashed out, dead to the world, first sleep together since Galapagos. Next day we went ashore to check in at the WARC office and were given Leis - which smelt really good, and did the formalities with the agent at the Gendarmerie, had a nice lunch at the hotel and met up with more of our rally friends.


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