1100 position: 38 51.8 S 143 45.2 E
Course: SSE Speed: 4 knots
Wind: SW, F4 – moderate breeze
Sea: moderate     Swell: S, 2.5 m
Weather: cloudy with rain squalls

After a very pleasant stay in Apollo Bay, despite the wind and rain, we departed this morning at 0900.

The forecast is for moderate SW winds, backing into the SE this evening and the East tomorrow. The wind is expected to remain favourable for the next several days, so I am hopeful of being able to make it the rest of the way to Adelaide in one go from here.

Unfortunately, now that we have gained a bit of sea room, the wind has not been as friendly as I was hoping. There is a significant swell running which is to be expected after several days of strong winds, but the wind is proving to be highly variable. Numerous rain clouds have been passing over, and as they approach the wind increases to force five, then drops to force two in their wake, typical of such squalls. I have put a reef in the main and Sylph is coping well with the fresh winds, heeling over to as much as forty degrees and powering up to six plus knots as the squalls approach; however, after they have passed she is left wallowing in the sea and swell and struggles to keep her head to wind.

Not to worry, looking to windward there are no dark clouds, rather the sky is full of puffy fair-weather cumulus. I am confident that as the day progresses and the new weather pattern establishes itself the wind will steady and conditions will become more comfortable and conducive for us to make good speed in the right direction.

All is well.