Noon Position: 38 28.8 S 141 18.4 E
Course: NW Speed: 6 knots
Wind: SE, F4 – moderate breeze
Sea: slight Swell: SW, 3 m
Weather: overcast, cool
Day’s run: 120 nm

We tacked at 1108 hoping that we had made enough ground to the South to be able to clear Cape Otway, but two hours later as we closed the tall looming headland it became clear that while we would pass clear of the headland itself we were not quite going to clear the reef which extends some eight cables to the South of it, and upon which the three meter swells were expending their energy in large breaking waves. We put in a couple of more tacks and at 1430 we were past the headland and the breaking swells and were able to ease sheets slightly on our new course of WNW.

Overnight the wind has gradually backed into the SE, making for a reach along the coast for most of the night, and this morning, at 0815, I poled the jib out to run wing-on-wing before the fair breeze. At 1000 we were approaching Cape Nelson and the South Australian border. I retarded ship’s clocks half an hour to South Australian time, and, at 0930 SA time, put in a gybe to follow the coastline as it bears away to the NW.

We have made good time over the last 24 hours and I am glad that we departed Apollo Bay when we did. The wind is forecast to remain fair for the next few days so, all going well, we should continue to make good time towards Adelaide. However, a minor complication has arisen. First, my elder brother John is celebrating his birthday on Tuesday, so I am keen to get back in time to attend the party. But, also, a long-time sailing friend and fellow single-hander, Wayne of the yacht Ambler, is currently at anchor off Kangaroo Island having almost completed a circumnavigation of Australia, so I have the opportunity to catch up with him on my way past. At this stage I am hoping to be able to both stop and have a gam with Wayne on Sunday, as well as make it back to Adelaide in time for my brother’s birthday. Finger’s crossed.

All is well.