SLOW ROAD TO TONGA

Since yesterday the winds have been light from the east.  We have managed to keep the boat moving along, also got a bit of breeze through the boat to cool things down a bit.  Noon to noon run of just over one hundred miles came as a surprise as I thought we had done even less.  We have less than a thousand miles to go to Neiafu.

Apart from the light breeze the weather is perfect.  Last night Jessica cooked a great pasta dish for dinner after which we watched Dumb and Dumber under the stars in the cockpit.  Good to have some banal humour after frustrations of light wind sailing.

The fishing is not going too well.  I am using smaller lures hoping we will catch smaller fish.  So far, we haven’t caught anything but have two lures smashed to pieces and the triple hooks straightened out.  So, I presume big fish still take small lures – they just don’t get caught by them.  I will persevere in the hope of landing a small succulent dolphin fish.

Next weeks weather is looking a harsh, we have three days of twenty to twenty-five knot winds and four-meter seas.  There is no way around it.  If the wind and seas come from the right angle we can make good time but it will be a bit uncomfortable for a while.  Then, as we approach Tonga the forecast is for very light winds – maybe we will use the engine rather than hang around if it happens.

This morning, during my pre-noon siesta, I was half asleep dreaming of being in a hotel room with a king size bed, clean crisp sheets and bathroom with unlimited shower water.  Then I realised I haven’t slept in a bed since April.  Jessica says we should treat ourselves to a night in a hotel room in Tonga.   Total voyage distance 646 miles.