& ended up finding ourselves".... Crazy! We've now sailed in excess
of 4'500+ miles since Oct 2008 & can safely say we've visited every
atoll within the Society Islands.. 80% of the Marquasa's & a fair
share of the Tuamotu's atoll's.. we also met some incredibly inspiring
& genuinely insane people over the course of the year.. we've visited
heaven & hell ... cried & smiled within the same day..& have made some
very special friend... there's a very special community bond at sea,
people really care & really look out for one another.. that is my
strongest memoir to date..
It's also been amazing how quickly one become in-tune with the
elements... we can now predict the weather for 2-3 days in advance
with the simple use of a barometer (air pressure) & a compass (wind
direction)... it's quite a revaluation, when you suddenly realize you
understand & can predict the patterns that begin to reveal themselves
when you passages & safety rely on them..
It's a little sad leaving French Polynesia , "Apple" & friends....
Apple's been safely pulled from the "South Pacific" and is presently
sitting on stilts in Raiatea boat yard with friend's of veronica
taking care of her every need... Whilst we fly back to LA in just 8
hours eeek!! It took us 22 days to cover the same miles.. But what a
welcome break..
"Apple" will have all her line's ( control ropes) replace before she
is re launched in 1st march 2010, along with new jib's ( front
sail's) all her propeller shaft bearings & seal will be replaced,
engine's 2nd service although she has only run for 200 miles of our 45
thousand , her rudder needs to be pulled so i can replace her bushes,
I'm also having a second "emergency rudder" built in stainless
steel .. unfortunately we experienced too many nightmares of yachts
loosing there steering in the large swell or broken fishing nets or
floating coconut trees..etc.. way too many!!! finally she'll have her
bottom painted... before gently being placed back in the ocean for our
next passage...?
Another interesting fact, we've made & used 3000 gallons of 3PH water
from just two 75 PB solar panels.. So her membrane will need replacing
along with the front head (electric toilet).. Other than that , the
yacht has been incredibly safe even with wave over 4 meter at gust of
50 mph with splattering of lightning ..
So here to... LA -London- France- LA..
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