Twas During Happy Hour

L'Esprit de la Mer
Dr Chris Bates
Wed 9 Nov 2016 22:05
26 44 28 S 166 49 32 E
 
We sailed slowly all day tracking the Frenchman sometime just behind sometimes just ahead .Then I struck during what I presume to be happy hour and took out a reef and unfuled the genoa .L esprit de la Mer sprang to life and  we were soon on a close reach at 8 knt . The lights on the Frenchman dropped astern before he realised what was afoot . Probably too engrossed in his Pernod .He reappeared this morning at the end of Pennys watch but two miles astern and to leeward .
Beautiful day . 150 nm to Norfolk island and 600 to Opua .We willcheck the weather forcast tis afternoonfor an update on the storm