Slowing Down

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Mon 16 May 2016 02:19
Noon Position: 22 13.0 S 171 17.2 E
Course: West Sou’ West Speed: 4 knots
Wind: South East F3: gentle breeze
Sea: slight Swell: East 1.5 meters
Weather: mostly sunny, warm
Day’s run: 94.2 nm

Our fresh south east trade winds bade us farewell yesterday afternoon and we
spent the night running square before a light breeze, rolling rhythmically
to the slight swell from the east, and sails slatting noisily and regularly.
Thus most of this morning has been spent patching a new tear in the genoa
and redoing a few old repairs in the mainsail. Somehow I doubt whether the
genoa is going to make the distance.

Fortunately this breeze has veered into the south east and freshened
slightly so that we have sufficient apparent wind to now hold the sails out
full and steady.

To the south of us I can see Ile Matthew, two peaks rising precipitously out
of the ocean, some nine miles away. I would have liked to have
been able to get closer for a better look but unfortunately the light winds
and sail repairs have prevented us from being able to sail close enough to
the wind to get any closer. Who knows, maybe another time.

Tired.

All is well.