The barometer has risen a bit and the clouds are thinning.  A squall just came through and the wind has gone back to SE Force 4. 

Boat speed is back up to nearly 8 knots.  Let’s hope it stays that way.

19/10/08 01:00

It didn’t. Stay that way.  We’re back to East Force 4. Boat speed closer to 5 knots than 6. The rain hasn’t finished.  It’s noticably colder. You need long trousers and a fleece especially at night.

03:15

Just before Hamish came on watch I became aware of increased sea coming form the SE.  A few minutes later we had 30 knots. We’ve got a big reef in the Yankee and the baby main is equivalent to a double reefed main. Boat speed back to 9 knots for the moment.

08:00

The wind settled in SE Force 6 and we’ve been making good time the last few hours.  We now have lots of different shades of grey. The barometer is continuing to rise so maybe when we get to Norfolk the wind will decrease.

12:00

Bits of blue sky are beginning to appear ahead of us and the sun is actually out.

The wind holds at SE Force 6(around 25 knots) and  w’re doing a steady 7 ½  to 8 knots.  The 24 hour run was 167 miles  and there is another 175 to Norfolk Island.