Timing is everything, and we seem to have got it wrong.
The Atols need to be approached with care; strong streams set through the gaps, some of which are not very wide. And at the present rate we will arrive at our chosen island - Kauehi - a few hours after low tide! And by the time high tide comes along, it will be dusk, and the coral heads will remain unseen. This presents us with a dilemma as to whether we risk entering with the current, or whether we wait 20 hours or so, or whether we try somewhere else. You (and we, I suspect) will have to wait until tomorrow to find that one out.
Meanwhile, we have had some very good trade-wind sailing, making a comfortable 6 knots in 20 knots of breeze and generally bright sunshine. Despite liberal applications of sun-cream, Will is starting to look as brown as the rest of us, but his beard has some catching up to do - at least it's not grey.....
And, thank goodness, we have gone on to Tahiti Time (GMT -10 hours), so we have got rid of the dreadfully confusing Marquesas half hour.
Apart from that, and the heat, which is quite oppressive at times, we are all well. Thanks to Will's inventiveness, we even managed to enjoy fresh chicken for the third night running. What on earth is the Skipper going to make of the beef tonight?
Best wishes,
James, Chris and Will
Yacht Cleone
At Sea
12.31S 143.39W