On 5 May Turid and family returned home, and we really miss them

Mike and Jan Hellier arrived today for 2 weeks, and after revictualling Hygeia in Lautoka, we set off for Vanuatu. We had a great send-off - all the resort staff, the yard workers, and all the other boats waving, singing, whistling, letting off horns, and Larry on Canadian Flyer blowing his trumpet. I can't say our eyes were dry as we left.

The sail to Vanuatu was a passage of 540 miles. Rather mixed weather, with some good sailing, but some motoring as well. The highlight, only enjoyed in retrospect, was an amazing electric storm, which was centred right over the boats, and it was something of a miracle that we weren't hit - or maybe we were. The thunder and lightning were synchronous, and the noise and brilliance unbelievable, not to mention terrifying. Mazy was only a quarter of a mile away, but after one shattering explosion, she disappeared from view, and from radio contact; we eventually found her with radar; she presumably had been hit as her VHF had burned out. We saw one bolt coming straight for us, but had switched all electrics off. However, my so-called smart regulator on my alternator stopped working for 8 hours, before starting again spontaneously. On balance we reckoned we were lucky not to have sustained more serious, possibly fatal damage.

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