26:55.134 S  111:08.970 W

10/6/08  01:00

In the end we left at 22:15.  There was concern that there might be a problem lifting the anchor so Demetri stayed with the buoy in the dinghy because if we did need it again it would be almost impossible to locate and retrieve in the dark. I should mention it was blowing 25 knots by now and there was quite a lively chop.  The line attaching us to the buoy was under great tension because of the sea and wind and it was very difficult to get enough slack to release the loop from the cleat.The anchor came up with no difficulty and the next game was attaching the lifting strops to the dinghy in order to raise it in its davits.   Steve had to join Demetri in the dinghy as one person just couldn’t do it in the sea conditions.  It’s a squally night but we have a healthy NNE wind, just behind the beam so we are travelling in some comfort with good boat speed in the right direction…..which doesn’t always happen.

10/6/08  09:30

The wind went a bit fluky between 2 and 3 this morning but settled again into a NE Force 6.  Now that we’re well clear of Easter Island, the seas have also settled so we’re having a good ride.  

It is Atlantic grey out there not Pacific Blue. 

The main has jammed again, this time about 2/3^rd the way out. Fortunately it’s plenty of sail for this wind strength.  The combination of the vertical battens and the stretching of the cloth makes it impossible to avoid wrinkles when furling.  The material folds back on itself and becomes very difficult to unfurl.  We will try unfurling on the opposite tack later, but I suspect when the winds drop it will be a trip up the mast to sort it.

11:15 

We’ve just set the clocks back to GMT-7 Hours.

We’ve also just had an almightily squall dumping torrential rain on us for an hour with fairly lively wind.  It seems to have stopped for now and the grey is definitely a slighter lighter shade.

12:00

Wind has dropped and gone West which is no help.  We are moving through a low and will probably find Southerly wind in 50/60 miles.

Our 1^st 13 hours yielded 95 miles which is a good start.  I haven’t had a chance to prepare any pictures but maybe will later today.  Now I need some kip.