#6. FALKEN | Galapagos to Marquesas | Squalls

April 11| Squally 24 hrs!

The last 24 hours have been a relentless mission of opening and closing hatches as the heavy downpours synonymous with the tropics have kept us on our toes. Had anyone suggested a few days ago that I might find myself cold during this passage I would have laughed at the incredulous notion and yet the early hours of the 11th saw just that reality.

The crew have been steadfast in their resolve to keep Falken sailing and mostly in the direction of the Marquesas. As each squall set in we saw the wind shift teasingly through every point of the compass and switch from almost nothing to strengths that required some positive sail reduction. Finally it seems that the hatches can remain open as the rain has subsided and the below decks temperature has returned to some level of normality, albeit still oppressively humid.

Eric is currently on the helm (he says hi to his mum), Dennis has just replenished the tea cups and Hillary is completing the log as the daily tasks continue. The rest of the crew appear to be sleeping soundly as FALKEN glides graciously through the mighty Pacific waters. The success of a long passage relies on routine and teamwork, whatever the weather, and the team on Falken have fallen nicely into the rhythm of daily life at sea.

- Emily | Mate on FALKEN