Day Ten

Position at time of writing:
05 13N
124 32W
Heading 210T
Speed 5.5 knots
Wind 12 E

We are officially over halfway to Nuku Hiva and I think it’s safe to assume that we’re in the ITCZ. Last night we went through six rain and wind squalls: torrential downpour (Vancouver-style) followed by winds of up to 35/40 knots. Luckily they don’t last very long but the boat has become one soggy mess! All of our towels are completely soaked, mine and Will’s bed is damp from a hatch being left open, and the air is so muggy that there’s no way anything or anyone is going to dry out.

Today we took a group shower in the cockpit when one of these squalls passed overhead. It was hilarious – all of us in our swim suits covered in shampoo and soap just willing the water pressure to be turned up a notch (it was a light one). Now it hasn’t stopped raining for over eight hours. Our Hydrovane is steering us (as it has for the past ten days!) and we’re all hiding out down below in our clammy cave.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to write a blog post today – our email compression program keeps having a hard time connecting via the satellite phone. It could have something to do with the cloud cover, or perhaps our very remote location on this planet.

Now, back to my book!