33:46.7N  72:23.6W   It is always amazing to experience the variations in the ocean conditions….IN THE SAME SPOT!  Two days ago, the waters we transited today, just to the east of the Gulf Stream, raged with 60 knot winds and 10-15 foot seas  (the seas were bigger in The Stream, with probably 30 foot seas)….right now, at 1900 we have 10 knot winds and 2-3 foot seas….we actually wish we had more.  How challenging sailing must have been:  a) in the early 1700's when they still could not even measure longitude, let alone predict the weather; and b) even in the early part of the 1900's when weather predictions were pretty much non-existent.  So THEY were the real sailing pioneers venturing out into these vast oceans with far less robust boats, no support, frequently only notionally knowing where they were going, and NO ability to predict the weather.  We were able to wait a couple of days, and now have a very tranquil passage….and probably arrive at about the same time as we would have by venturing out in rough weather, sailing non-optimal courses for ship's safety, and having the crew really bounced around….the risk of equipment or people failure would have been much greater.  So, as you see the pictures below, you won't feel sorry for us today.  The boat sailed pretty flat, with the wind at our starboard quarter, so Cap decided to prepare a culinary delight…"tiki masala" an Indian dish with chicken and spices.  Paul provided some entertainment with his "ukulele"….and we all dined in the cockpit, sharing a bottle of wine (captain's prerogative, in these conditions, provided one glass for each crew), with the on watch crew, Ralph and David, not participating.  And for dessert we had lemon sorbet and ginger snaps!  A very civilized dinner!  We did this today, since conditions may not be this good in the days ahead.  Yes….today we had…."Fair Winds and Following Seas"!  Captain Mike