One of the fantastic things of travelling so much is picking up bits and pieces of different languages along the way. This morning, for example, I learned that "eau gazeuse" means sparkling water in French. Wish I'd figured that out before using it for my coffee, but hey, live and learn, right? Luckily we only have 6 more bottles of it. Unluckily that's the last of the bottled water on board.
On a completely different note, this blog seems like it's the only corner of the internet that isn't obsessed with the latest antics of, shall we say, certain political figures. I won't name names, but one of them is orange, and let's just say their questionable actions are enough to make anyone reach for the "eau gazeuse."
Speaking of things that make you want a stiff drink, we had another monster squall roll through yesterday afternoon. It seems they're a regular afternoon feature around here. The good news is that you can see them coming, so you have time to prepare. This one brought an unwelcome wind shift, though. We've had close to 20 knots blowing almost straight out of Apia ever since, so we're motor-sailing with one engine and a reefed main, making about 6 knots. Its definitely better than trying to claw our way upwind, which, let's face it, nobody enjoys and we'd be another 35 degrees off course rather than going almost the exact way which is what we are doing now. As things stand we will be in Apia late morning tomorrrorw and hopefully tied up in the marina shortly afterwards. The authorities have all been notified, the pre arrival paperwork has been completed and sent to them and we even had confirmation they received it which was unusual.
The GFS (Windy premium version, of course!) is still showing a bit of a low developing by Fiji for the middle of next week – and for clarity by next week I mean around the 11th. Or else it's a bit like when someone says take the next left and you do, and they say, "Why did you turn? I said the next left!" But anyway, it's not looking as dramatic now. Fingers crossed it stays that way! We have to go one step at a time and I'm trying not to get ahead of myself. First things first, we need to get to Apia, then get everything ready for the next leg. Things have a way of falling into place when you take it one step at a time. Plus we have to put the clocks back as its 6am and completly black with not even a hint of sunrise on the way. I will do that in Samoa or else it will alter the watches and then I will chnage them again just before we leave.
Until next time, I'll be enjoying the (hopefully) calmer weather and brushing up on my Samoan vocabulary - do they have sparkling water there?
This picture was taken in happier, easier times, when life seemed simpler, the wind was lighter and from behind. Yesterday.