21:40.05N 62:06.10E
Bryan's morning text reads "wind steady 17kts true so making good progress under reefed sails".
Helen writes, the last few days have seen low winds and flat seas so the engine has been on low revs to keep them moving forward, so the increase in wind speed will be a welcome relief to push them close to land and they are now a day or so from the tip of Ras Al Hadd, where they will then hug the coast back up to Fujairah. A passing ship had given Bryan a message about higher winds along the coast - up to 25 knots, but so far I have not been able to find any reports to verify this. Most of what I am seeing is up to 17 knots which is exactly as reported today.
Bryan had checked with the passing ship how visible Aroha was to them on radar. The reply was a huge comfort - they had picked up Aroha at 9 miles off. Though Aroha has radar reflectors on board, most of the hull is fibre glass, and in relation to the expanse of sea and size of other vessels, she really is a tiny speck. We had encountered a tanker which came much too close to comfort on the way back from Chagos in the middle of the night, and I had tried to get confirmation of whether the vessel had seen us on radar. Language barriers and, by my reckoning, a half a sleep watchman, didn't get me an answer to the question. The rule of thumb always has to be to assume that they haven't seen you. These boats are far too big to get in the way of. Nevertheless, confirmation that Aroha had shown up on the radar so far off does bring a little peace of mind.
I am getting excited about welcoming the boys home. It is going to be fantastic to finally see them heading to a safe anchorage. It is just as well Ramadan finishes today, since I have been instructed to bring beer and KFC with me when they arrive. I have visions of a rugby style brawl as they fight each other off the boat to the grab the chicken and hops feast. Maybe they will spot their loved ones waiting too? Just a few more days!!!!.............
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