Happy Australia Day

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sat 26 Jan 2013 03:46

1300 Position: 35 48.5 S   138 19.8E

Course East sou’ east  Speed 3 knots

Wind:  South,  F3 - gntle breeze

Slight seas, swell south 1.5 meters

Weather:  mostly sunny, mild

 

Ship’s company morale is high after a relaxing evening on board, safe from the tempting flesh pots of Penneshaw.  A hearty meal washed down with a nice glass of red (thank you John) and a good night’s sleep had the crew up on deck bright and early, well refreshed and in good spirits to weigh anchor at eight, the early start allowing good use to be made of the last few hours of the ebb tide.  The winds have been a little light and fickle, but, apart from a couple of short periods of motoring and hand steering, we have been mostly able to sail our way out of Backstairs Passage and back into the Southern Ocean.

A front is due through early on Monday morning. Between now and then I hope to be able to put some miles behind us.   What strategy we will use when the front arrives will depend on how far we have gone.  With the light winds we are currently experiencing I expect not far enough, so we will probably have to heave to for about 24 hours.  Nonetheless, once conditions have moderated, we should then be in a good position to be able to ease sheets a little and make for Tasmania.

I trust everyone is having as enjoyable an Australia Day as I am.

All is well.