Noon Position: 38 46.8 S 147 37.0 E
Course: Southwest, Speed 5 knots
Wind: Southeast, F3 gentle breeze
Weather: mostly cloudy, mild
Day's run: 82 nm
Bass Strait continues to be gentle with us; in fact last night as we were
running wing on wing before the easterly breeze, the stars shining brightly
in the clear sky overhead, Sylph rolling gently to the swell, the water
gurgling soothingly along her sides, I thought this is just about as good as
it gets. Come midnight however the wind had died off, the mainsail was
slatting heavily and my soporific mood changed to a somewhat less peaceful
one as I dropped the mainsail and then fought with the drifter halyard in
the dark trying to clear a foul lead at the masthead. But eventually, at the
third hoist, I got the drifter set to my satisfaction, and then retired
below for a rest while the bright lights of the oil rigs drifted ever so
slowly by to our north.
Come daylight sufficient wind had risen to allow the mainsail once more to
be set without slatting and then by mid morning to drop the drifter and set
the jib. Now we are drawing along at a very comfortable five knots.
Melbourne is looking a lot closer then it did a few weeks ago. Here my
family is planning a bit of a get together to celebrate amongst other things
the latest addition to the Williams clan, a little boy named Archer.
Congratulations Monica and Mark. A much happier occasion then our last
gathering, I am looking forward to it very much.
All is well.
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