Departed Sato Ne

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Tue 11 Mar 2014 11:38
18:00 Position: 32 00.1 N 129 57.4 E
Course: North nor' west Speed: 2 knots
Wind: North west F2 light breeze
Sea: slight
Swell: negligible
Weather: sunny, cool

As anticipated, there has not been much wind about today as the weather
pattern is currently being dominated by a high pressure cell passing over
the region. Consequently there seemed little point being in a hurry to get
away. We have sixty miles to sail to Nagasaki, and as the high pressure
system moves off to the east of us the winds will back into the south and
strengthen, so I am confident that sailing overnight we will arrive at
Nagasaki well before sunset tomorrow.

I have not been able to find any gluten free cereal in Japan, so breakfast
over the last few days has consisted of a bowl of boiled rice and beans
(they look like kidney beans but who knows), with some tomato sauce for
flavour. Unless I can find a western style supermarket in one of the big
cities it is likely this will be my breakfast fare for some time to come.
After breakfast, I enjoyed a quiet morning reading but at a bit after ten
decided I had better make a move, especially after I had a hoy from the dock
from a man who turned out to be from the government (he didn't say which
department and wore no uniform), asking me when I would be leaving.

At a little after eleven I let go the dock lines and motored out of the
harbour into the smooth and near windless bay. The sky was clear and the sea
a royal blue, a lovely day to be out on the water even if it was going to be
slow going. Despite the light winds we managed to sail through the narrow
gap between the northern headland of the island and the chain of rocks and
small islets that extend a couple of miles to the east, then spent the
remainder of the afternoon drifting around in very light airs just to the
north of the island going nowhere.

Now as evening has fallen the wind has picked up a little. The stars are
coming out against the darkening sky, a half moon is directly overhead, and
the loom of several brightly lit squid boats can be seen on the western
horizon. The sheets are eased, and Sylph is making a comfortable four knots.
It promises to be a pleasant night.
All is well.