There are still a dozen or so yachts who have not yet reached Hiva Oa.
And Cleone is one of them. We are all feeling quite tired. This is a time when we need to have our wits around us - the wind has gone light, which is frustrating, it is dead aft of us, which is slow and potentially dangerous, and there is the prospect of a night-time arrival into what is probably a crowded anchorage in Hiva Oa. We have also been beset with problems of breaking spinnaker gear and chafe, resulting in the loss of a snap-shackle, lots of cutting rope and re-whipping, and (believe it or not) a certain amount of bad language. But on the other hand, the weather is warm and sunny, and we are in close company with Lady Kay, which is very pleasant and is forcing us to think carefully about our sail-plan and tactics! We were ahead of her all night, but this morning she gybed before we were out of bed, and she has now slipped ahead by a couple of miles. But we've gybed too to cover her, and we are hoping to make up the time.
Meanwhile, Wizard, a sleek, lengthy ocean grey-hound and a late starter, has sneaked up behind us, and is poised to overtake. And there is nothing we can do about that, except take it on the chin.
Apart from all of this, provided (and it's a big provided) we keep the breeze, we may arrive in Hiva Oa sometime tomorrow. The Skipper had hoped to be there around lunch time, but we at the moment we are slipping behind this schedule minute by minute. We are doing our best.
Very best wishes to all of you,
James, Chris & Elizabeth
Yacht Cleone
09.33S 136.00W