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December 24th

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! We're 65 nautical miles in a straight line from where we anchored for the generator repair, but we've probably sailed at least double that zig-zagging into the wind and current and dodging fishing boats. 

On the way out of the anchorage and along the south end of the island, the wind was westerly and looking fantastic for the trip up to Tual. Unfortunately, as we got out to sea, it started to swing around to the northwest, so essentially blowing from exactly where we want to go. 

The generator has run for a few hours since the patch-up, but it's nerve-wracking! The life expectancy of the repair is unknown, and every beat of the engine puts pressure on it. With two electric motors for propulsion, the generator is essential for us.

So if you're wondering why the blog isn't as upbeat as usual, that's why. And it's Christmas Eve, and we have at least 150 nautical miles to go in a straight line to the next place to try and get a better repair done. Wish us luck!

This is the horizon in front of us last night - it's not a city. It's fishing boats. And around us must have been at least 15 or 20 others that we could actually see the lights of. 

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