Cleone - IN FAKARAVA

It was after dark (what did the Skipper expect at 0415 - broad daylight? - Ed) when we arrived, but Andante was already ensconced and Asolare were sufficiently far ahead of us to be able to anchor at dusk.  The church was well lit, and we knew the anchorage was just to the south of it, and so we were able to find a suitable place to settle in about 10 metres of water.  Barry Mac from Quasar had e-mailed us to say he was flying to Fakarava for a day to go diving, and when dawn broke and the Skipper wearily dragged himself out of his bunk to face another day of toil in the tropical heat, we found that we were anchored about 100 metres from the diving school!

This is the second largest of the Tuamotus atolls, and the village has a bit more of a buzz about it than the delightful Kauehi. There is a supermarket with not much on the shelves, a Boulangerie with fresh-baked baguettes and pain au raisin and a shop which was not open. There is no bar, but a Shack where beers can apparently be purchased, and it's so busy that the airport boasts no less than a daily flight. This place hums.

Sundowners were on Andante last night, with Asolare's crew in attendance as well, and there are a couple of catamarans - possible World ARC, but we don't know yet - parked in the Cat Park to the north of the church. We will stay here for some diving tomorrow, and then possibly make for one more atoll, yet to be chosen, before heading off for Tahiti, where Elizabeth will be joining us once more. We'll be delighted to have her back on board.

All well, and best wishes to everyone.

James, Chris and Will