Day 15
9pm local, 03:00UTC
pos: 9deg33S, 122deg45W
Distance to go 945miles
We are having quite a hard time connecting, there is only a few hours in the day that we have signal.
We are finally down to a triple digit distance to go. We had a less rough day on shimmi today, quite sunny, but everyone is still pretty much grumpy. I was hanging some laundry on the starboard railing when a black marlin breached behind the boat, clearing the water by more than a meter as it nailed my small blue skirt. Unfortunately the hook straightened. But it stayed in shimmi's wake, swimming behind the lures, striking the blue skirt another 3 times, but then i pulled it in as it was obvious that the lure was toast. I changed hooks but by then the marlin had moved on. Quite spectacular old chap. Actually quite glad we did not get hooked up solid as the mono was tied off to the dingy arch and i think this fish would have ripped the arch right off the back of the boat, dingy and all. Eish.
Our trip average so far dictates another 6 full days to go so we are just clenching our teeth and hanging in there. To keep the spirits up Chonnie made omelet, toast and bacon for brunch and Andy made a spectacular spaghetti arribiata con pollo for dinner followed by peaches and cream. So life here on shimmi's is quite ok! Its just hard being in this small space, the rough seas means we cant go outside the cockpit area with the kids. Needless to say we all need to stretch our legs. Despite our laundry efforts all our clothes and sheets are sticky with salt water. Andy has a nest of note on top of his head, i don't think we have enough soap (or water) on board to get it clean. The watermaker is pumping away most of the day, its keeping the tank at half. The gennie has given no further hiccups. The spinnaker is still flying, its so much nicer than having the mainsail up from a comfort point of view.
We are getting amped about Fatu-Hiva, Chonnie and I are going to take turns with kids on board and climb up the mountain to the pool above the Bay of Virgins. You should google this to get an idea of the breathtaking beauty of this place. Not too mention fresh croissants for breakfast. Or at least a crispy baguette.
Bonjour
G
