Last night we entered a cloud bank and line of rain squalls. Not the scary kind, thank goodness, just the annoying kind. The rain washed all the salt water off Hydroquest’s decks but meant that we were stuck down below on watch once again. The wind continued to drop throughout the night and by 7am the sails were flapping around enough to tell us to turn the engine on. We spent all day today motoring through the clouds.
That being said, it’s shaping up to be a lovely evening. We’re now out of the clouds with no more on the horizon and it’s almost 5pm so the sun is shimmering on the water. The seas are the flattest we’ve ever experienced on an offshore passage. There’s a long gentle roll, but that’s it! The winds are filling back in so Will has just turned off the engine and we’re sailing once again. Gorgeous!!!! AND – icing on the cake – we were just visited by a pod of dolphins!! This is a HUGE deal, because, believe it or not, it’s only the second time in the south pacific that we’ve been visited by our gentle friends. Our hoping has paid off! All our wishes for our final passage seem to be coming true! (Excuse all of the exclamation points).
Dinner tonight will be the sailor’s special: ramen noodles with vegetables, but I think we’ll have to make it an extra special night and toast this beautiful evening with a ginger beer.
Now this is what it’s all about 🙂 South Pacific sailing at its finest.
26 42S
159 15E
Speed 5 knots
Wind 10 – 12 E
Heading 205M
svkaiquest.com 
Will & Sarah,
As a sailor myself; when I read your posts, it easy for me to be there with you guys mentally. Thank you for that!
Dan
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YAY! So happy you’re having a wonderful last passage. We’re with you in spirit!
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sounds Devine…I guess your headache is gone. Dont you love it when a plan comes together
Lots of love
Your Godmother
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hi from oakland CA;
we prepare our sailing vessel “Storm Bird“ for second leg from here to Hawaii and beyond.And hope to meet you some where in the Pacific .Turkish sailors;Ahmet and Gina
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Fantastic! May the good conditions continue for the rest of your trip and the dolphins continue to frolic around the boat! You’re always in our thoughts.
Hugs and kisses,
Mum.
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Wonderful – the dolphins are leading you to Australia. We are getting very excited about your landfall in Oz – there will be great celebrations in Vancouver. Thinking of you constantly as you move closer to your goal and sending you all our love. Xxx Mom
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Where have the dolphins gone? We had the same comment on our passages 15 years ago. 40 years ago I remember them being plentiful – count on multiple daily visits – but maybe that was closer to land or in shallower waters. The South Pacific is so huge … and deep. Doesn’t seem to be much life out there other than the odd passing fleet of tuna or do you even see them? I assume you still see lots of flying fish?
John
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