Noon position: 33 45.6 S 151 30.0 E
Course: WSW Speed: 4 knots
Wind: S Force 3, gentle breeze
Sea: slight Swell: S 1 meters
Weather: overcast, showers, mild
Day's run: 68 nm

As the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, famously said, "The best laid plans of mice and men gang go agley." Thus it was that my plan from yesterday did not come to fruition because the weather gods had clearly not read the Bureau's script. We have experienced mostly light and variable winds in lieu of the E'lies that were forecast. Indeed, for much of the time the wind was from the SW, almost opposite what was forecast. Consequently, it has been a longer passage then anticipated and more tiring and frustrating, with numerous sail changes as well as some periods of motoring. And to make things a little bit more challenging, the ram for the tiller pilot decided to short out so if I wanted to motor I had to steer which, given the near constant drizzle and the odd heavy shower for most of last night, did not improve my temper. And another unforeseen nuisance was the swell. While it was only about one to two meters it was short and steep caused, I believe, by the the south setting East Australia Current. While it is generally nice to have a bit of current in one's favour, when it leads to short steep seas from the direction one is trying to go, especially when the winds are light, it makes for tough uncomfortable sailing conditions.

But enough of the grumbling. Despite the challenging conditions we now have Sydney in sight, the Heads just under ten miles away. We have a steady breeze filling our sails, albeit a head wind, and barring any mishaps we should make harbour well before sunset.

All is well.