Before going ashore this morning to meet Gaston and Valentine (2 of the 3 inhabitants of this Atoll) we had a call with John Martin - a weather router based in New Zealand. We have been struggling to work out our plans as it looks like some harsher weather is on its way. It was a really helpful discussion which helped us make sense of the data and we have and juggle our plans accordingly.
A big low is well south of us but is sucking in warm, moist equatorial air bringing more northerly winds and triggering squalls where the 2 air masses meet. Our route south west to Raiatea is blocked by a long line of squalls for the next 5 days and yet, if we stay north, then we can expect strong and gusty winds for at least a week.
Having talked things through we elected to stay put and enjoy the snorkelling and then work out what to do in the medium term.
S/V Matilda called by for afternoon tea when they picked up an adjacent mooring. We then went around to their’s to BBQ our sausages and share a bottle of red we had acquired in Panama. A great evening celebrating Swedish midsummer under a full moon in a blissfully cooler South Pacific mid winter. One of many glorious evenings with Michael and Annika.
Mullet
Convict Surgeon Fish
Barred Goat Fish
Black Fish or Sea Cucumber
Gaston & Valantine’s dock
