21.05S 177.10E
Mojo 2
Andrew Partington
Mon 3 Oct 2011 01:19
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Another stunning day but we could do with some more
wind. Late yesterday afternoon the wind started to ease down to about 8 knots as
it turned fully to the east. It once again gave up on us completely at
around 1.00am and did not start blowing again until 6am. As a consequence of
this we are starting to fall behind our target of 100 nautical miles per day.
For most of today we have had an easterly wind blowing from 8-10 knots. We have
both the genneker and genoa up as it is directly behind us and are making
only around 4 knots of boat speed. The winds were forecast to strengthen today
but so far it has not eventuated.
It is a bit frustrating as we have seen these light
winds since the crossing from Tahiti to Tonga. The frustration is that the days
are long enough without feeling that you are going nowhere. As I have mentioned
before the night watches continue irrespective of our boat speed. I guess
there is always the risk that you wish for more wind and end up
getting 40 knots, so I will say no more on the subject of wind!!
The moon is finally starting to show its face again
after a period of absence. For the past three nights it has kept us company
for the first few hours of night and each night it will become larger and stay
with us for longer. With the clear skies the stars are brilliant again and
gazing at them helps fill in some of the hours on night watch. Each night if you
watch for long enough you see several falling stars.
We have 1373NM to go to make it to Brisbane
and at our rate of progress feels a very long way away. To maintain 100NM per
day we will need to be at 1290 by 8.30am tomorrow.
Glad to hear the "Cats" came through for the
premiership. Fremantle's turn next year!!??
Andrew.
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