Day Sixteen - Two Capes Down

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Thu 30 Dec 2021 00:22
Noon Position: 47 22.2 S 170 13.2 E
Course: ENE Speed: 6 knots
Wind: WSW, F4 Sea: moderate
Swell: W, 2 meters
Weather: cloudy, cool
Day's Run: 155 nm

In the last 24 hours we have made good a day's run of 155 nm which seems to be a consistent number for Sylph in this part of the world with its regular fresh westerly winds.
Overnight the wind has gradually backed from the WNW into the WSW. We have been running before it with the wind on the port quarter which has meant as the wind backed our course has become more NE. I have been content to allow us to be pushed further north, hopefully into finer weather, but late in the forenoon our course was becoming more north than east so at noon we gybed so as to make better easting.
The weather has been a mix of sunshine and rain. During the heavier falls I have collected the rain off the mainsail such that the containers in the cockpit are almost full again (I haven't had to touch the main tanks yet). With all that nice fresh water I might treat myself to a proper wash later this afternoon.
We have now rounded two of the five great capes, though this time round New Zealand's South West Cape was relatively gentle with us and, of course, the most infamous still lies ahead.

All is well.