Wuta wae yourley,

I achieved the ultimate! I am on Pitcairn island! After a smooth and speedy crossing from Mangareva to Pitcairn (42 hours and 301 miles) we arrived this morning at 11am.

The passengers were understandably angry and upset at our three day late arrival to Mangareva, but due to the sudden changes of ocean weather it was a problem we could not solve. The crossing was largely enjoyable except the clearing up after suffering passengers.

When Pitcairn island was sighted some 32 miles away the spirit on board was as high as ever!

I was granted leave and given the option to stay over night on the island. I made sure i did too! My hosts are Touri and Darralyn. There house is comfortable and homely, a welcome sight after so long at sea. From my bedroom window i can sea Fletchers cave and a glimpse of the Ocean.

I had lunch at a relative of my hosts on the island wear the view over the ocean was spectacular - you can see some 40 - 50 miles in every direction!

I spent the afternoon swimming in Bounty bay with the island kids who seem to love me. We jumped off the wharf and others enjoined surfing too.

For dinner we all tucked into the island feast on the wharf, which all of the island turned up for. It was the yearly celebration of the burning of the Bounty which was torched by the mutineers some 220 years ago. The islanders laid on a fantastic buffet and some sang as the flames engulfed the bounty model.

I had the pleasure of speaking to many of the islanders and some of the elder generations too. Captain Paul and Chrissy turned up from the boat and enjoined the party too.

A truly fantastic day, and Andy - Its good to be here!

Got to go, the island generator turns off at 10pm.

Hurrae

Via Satellite on Friday 22nd January 5.27am GMT

Tonight’s position at 18:19 hours

Lat 22 46 S Long 136 06 W

Steering 102 (M) @ 7 knots

Winds are E’ly 15 kn

ETA tomorrow morning

Via Satellite on Thursday 21st January 5.32AM GMT

Position at 18:20 hours tonight

Lat 20 56 S Long 138 36 W Steering 111 (M) @ 7 knots

All’s well

ETA still Friday

Via Satellite on Tuesday 19th at 20;26 GMT

HOPE ALL WELL ON NITEWATCH SAILING WELL MOSTLY HAD TO SHELTER AT ANCHOR YESTERDAY REITORU ATTOL UNINHABITED DID FIXINGS THERE GREAT SNORK

Via Satellite at 5.37 am on Friday the 16th GMT

Position tonight at 18:22 hours

Lat 18 58 S Long 146 12 W
Course 100 (M) @ 6 knots
Winds E’ly at 15 kn

All’s well and ETA Tuesday

Bonjour from Tahiti, (warning no english spell check)

Thank you all for you encouraging and updating comments, most appreciated. I will reply by email.

The first four days at sea were intence. Heavy seas, lashing rain and sea sickness at first. There were usual boat problems such as engine tweaking and an unhinged toilet. There were deck leaks, so my bunk was soaked. I did not eat at times, but eventualy you get into a routine with it all and you eat and sleep when there is spare time.

As for the damaged hull, Thats on the list of things to check and fix while we are in Tahiti. We leave for Mangareva probably this Tuesday.

As we left the waters of the Samoan basin and sighted the first of the Windward islands the seas became calmer and the sky blue and with beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

Dolphins led us into the Harbor at tahiti yesterday eavining.

I will update with photos as soon as i can.

Goodby (I do want to attempt french spelling)

Felix

Via Satellite @ 5.47 AM GMT on Sat 9th January

Evening

Position from Chrissy tonight at 18:25 hours

Lat 16 51 S Long 152 26 W

Steering 090 (M) @ 7 knots

Winds E’ly 10 kn

ETA pm tomorrow

All’s well

Via Satelitte at 7.00 am GMT Friday 8th

Position tonight at 18:20 hours;

Lat 16 17 S Long 155 36 W

Speed 8 knots on course of 087 (M)

Winds WSW @ 20 Knots

ETA Tahiti early Sunday

Via Satellite on Wednesday, 6 January, 2010 8:40 AM

DEPTH 4400M LIGHTWINDS 7 KNOTTS SHOULDARRIVE IN 40HRS NO OTHER VESSALS.

Via Satelite at GMT 9.36pm

759m (miles?) tahiti. all is well. has been a big swell might have hit whale. minor hull damage but holding on

Via Satellite at GMT 7.05pm

All ok. brace on flexing hull holding well. continuing on to tahiti. seas calm

Talofa,

Thank you for all your updating supportive comments, Very much appreciated.

I can not stop really, We are just about to leave for Tahiti. One thousand thirteen hundred and eighty miles. One hundred miles more than i thought.

The next blog updates will be from Satellite telephone messaging.

Our course is over the top of Upolu - Samoa then east north east to Papeete - Tahiti. We will pass by Pago Pago - American Samoa and head out in between the northern and southern Cook island groups. The depth will reach 25 - 30 thousand feet deep! We have replenished with food stocks, fuel and water. We also have a water maker which makes fresh drinking water from Sea water.

I will be in touch when i can,

Thank you for following this blog, keep up the comments.

Faa a Fa tai lava Faa Sa Fu aa,

Felix