Day 40 – Light Winds

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sat 22 Jan 2022 20:22
Noon Position: 47 01.4 S 120 18.6 W
Course: E Speed: 4.5 knots
Wind: S, F3 Sea: slight
Swell: SW, 2.5 meters
Weather: fog, cool
Day’s Run: 129nm

We have experienced lighter winds over the last few days, between 10 and 15 knots but I would say mostly closer to 10. The lighter conditions would appear to suit Coconut more so than Sylph as again based on Mark’s evening report and all the available evidence, namely our respective daily runs and still no VHF comms, it would appear that Coconut has actually opened her lead on Sylph by a few miles. Good old Coconut!
However, while I tell myself this is good because my aim is to stay in loose company with Mark as we approach the Horn, and we still have over 2,000 miles to go, I cannot help but feel a little chagrined that after closing Coconut’s position so rapidly in the first few weeks of the voyage, that now when we are so close she is proving as elusive as the Scarlet Pimpernel. She has become my Moriarty (though of course I always enjoy a good chat with her ebullient skipper).
The sea temperature has dropped to eight degrees and we are experiencing fog with visibility down to about 300 meters. Moriarty, where are you?
All is well.