After making our way southwards down the Madagascar coast to almost 20 degrees south, Morandavo, we started heading off the coast in a SW direction, kind of aiming for the eastwards edge of the Aghullas current near Maputo, about 500 miles away.

We had a light cold front come through yesterday, changing the wind direction to southerlies - perfect for most of this leg, but hopefully no longer the case once we get to the current. We want anything but a wind direction with an S in it once we hit the south flowing current. South winds against a south setting current = big seas.

The ride is a bit bumpy, mostly, as we traverse the swells coming up from the south. Unfortunately, these swells can slow the boat down, especially when the wind speed drops. We need about 18 knots to move us along nicely - currently, we only have 12.5 knots.

Anyway, all's well on the good ship Galatea. We have had very little in the way of equipment malfunctions and the new main sail is a pleasure.

Bye for now,

Neil,wally and ben.

- S/V Galatea