Monday 21st September 2015

 

Dolphins Hunting

Whilst having a civilised breakfast at 0830, we were interrupted by a strange noise, sounding rather like series of distant gun shots. Scanning the horizon we were amazed to see approximately twenty five dolphins in a line, all leaping and diving through the water towards us. In synchronisation they changed direction and headed away again. The pod then split in two. Gradually they went into the distance. Our guess is they were chasing a shoal of fish. But perhaps they were practicing for the Dolphin Olympics.

 

Wind

Another still night and morning. We have got to the stage where we have to be strategic with the fuel. This is what it must be like to be becalmed. Out here in the Big Deep Blue miles from land it doesn’t matter if we drift in the right general direction, eventually the wind will pick up and we will get there. However, we must conserve enough fuel to be under control, if the wind doesn't pick up, so we can safely guide ourselves into Christmas Island. We are now flying a poled out genoa, a ghoster and the main sail. So decision made, we are gurgling along at about 2 knots. Denis informs me if we can do 4 knots we will arrive three days behind schedule. In the words of Monty Python, “Four knots, bloody luxury! I dream of doing four knots!”

 

So here I am in the fortunate position of buying a Kindle Paperwhite, from Dick Smith’s in Darwin and having lots of time to read. A knowledgeable friend has given me a whole host of books on Calibre, which I can up load from my laptop, so the ‘World’s My Oyster’....what shall I treat myself to first?

 

Miles travelled in the last 24 hours: 97 miles

Miles to Christmas Island: 1122 miles