Saturday 7th June
We rise early, well rested. It’s still overcast
but looks to be clearing to the West. Stewy motors over to Tallulah Ruby to
collect cargo Brian’s taking home for Paul. Paul and Andy come over to
say their farewells to Brian – they’re also leaving for Tonga this
afternoon. By 7.30am, we’re off our mooring and by 7.45am our sails are
set, heading straight for Va’Vau, Tonga , on a course of 260’.
We’re close hauled, 7-7.5 knots, wind direction N/NW, windspeed13-14
knots. Somewhere between here and Tonga lies the International
Date-line – so we will be arriving on Monday! A few hours out, we speak
to Lady Kay who are to port – they give us the co-ordinates for the
date-line – we agree to keep in touch. As the day goes on, the wind
drops and although there’s some sunshine, there’s still a lot of
cloud cover. As all the various forecasts available to us before we left said
different things, we decide on double 4 hour watches for tonight, also as
hopefully we’ll just have one overnight sail. Gradually, the wind dies
and is right on the nose, so engine on again….. we see a few flying fish
and boobies. We try calling Lady Kay at sundown but she must be out of range.
We motorsail on into the night……….