26:39.175 S  116:51.546 W

11/6/08  18:00

We’re still motoring into a gentle wind that’s not supposed to be there.  It looks like very little wind for the next few days so the engine time will continue.  We havn’t done anything about the main sail yet as we might as well let the sea flatten out before we take it down as Steve will undoubtedly have to go aloft.

It’s a clear cool evening and I wanted to take a couple of  photos  of a tasteful sunset only I  had left the camera plugged into the computer which totally canes the battery.

12/6/08  00:00

The gentle wind went in a useful direction earlier and we are sailing with the full yankee making a gentle 4-5 plus knots.  Clear sky and a very bright  2/3 moon. Big contrast from last night.  Very idyllic.

12/6/08  07:45

When I came on watch at 6 is was cold dark and spitting. Dawn  at  7:30 brought clearer skies.  This time there was some juice in my camera so I took a couple of shots. We have been sailing gently all night. Not having the main sail will put an extra day on this leg.  It’s as though the boat has shrunk.  If we were a 46 footer we’d be very happy with the speed we’re doing with a mainsail in these conditions.

12/6/08 12:00

Well the clear skies didn’t last. We’re back to the familiar full battle grey. The wind refuses to pay any attention to the forecast and is now predictably it seems NW Force 5 which pushes us a bit South as we can’t really point without the main.

Our 24 hour run was 160 miles about half sailing and  half motoring.

Pitcairn is another 725.

It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to send the dawn pictures.  Will try  later.