17.34S 163.36E  Thursday 31^st July – 138 nautical miles in our first twenty four hour period which is pretty good really as at times last night we were only covering around 2.5 an hour!  And what a difference a day makes – the seas have flattened out – the sun is weak but there and the constant wind of between 15 and 20 knots has given all of us a tremendous sail today – we were doing over 8 knots for sustained periods!  Most of us are close enough to be chatting on VHF and comparing notes of how we are getting on.

At dusk today a beautiful, serene gull flew around us, weaving in and out, giving us a good inspection and then just as the sun set he must have thought we were friend not foe as he settled on the back of the boat, just next to the solar panel.  Liz on Moonshadow thought that birds at sea might be the souls of lost sailors so my imagination has been wandering tonight as I see him perched up there on my watch!

            You flew to us across the sea

            A magic bird so wild and free

            And yet we think within your being

            Lies the soul of a sailor from this world fleeing

            At peace at last to share your flight

            You saved him from what dreadful plight?

            This world to travel in your life

            Serene and happy, free from strife

            Rest my weary passenger(s)

            You are safe from any danger(s)!

We’ve put a reef in the main, photographed him with a flash and even though we are keeled over to one side with 20 knots of wind in a boisterous sea and his position looks a little precarious, he isn’t going anywhere – his head is tucked under his wing and he is fast asleep!

P.S. This morning he was gone and I wondered if it could all be a figment….. but his calling cards were there on the deck to prove his visit!