Day 169 – Light and Variable
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Tue 31 May 2022 06:36
Course: SE Speed: 5 knots
Wind: ENE Force 3
Sea: slight Swell: ESE 2 m
Weather: overcast, mild
Day’s Run: 64 nm
It has been a slow and frustrating 24 hours. The forecast was for winds predominantly from the east of ten to fifteen knots, but we have experienced winds from all directions and significant periods of calm where we have had to hand sail and drift in a sharp short sea and swell making for an uncomfortable motion. Consequently we are quite a bit short of where I had hoped to be for today’s noon position with still some ways to go before we round our last waypoint. Nonetheless, at noon we were one mile short of 30°S and as I write, at 1214, we have crossed it, so I am happy with that.
The wind is now ENE at F3 and appears reasonably steady. Given the instability in the weather patterns at the moment I attempt to articulate a plan based on the forecasts but will just wait and see what we get. As mentioned yesterday, we no doubt need to get quite a bit further south before we are going to pick up steady favourable W’ly winds. So the plan is simply to make best use of whatever winds we do get to make for Cape Leeuwin, now bearing 105° at 1360 miles.
The fudge by the way came out a bit on the crisp side. I think the oven was too hot. Nonetheless, it is mostly edible though incredibly sweet. The bread on the other hand came out pretty much perfect, at least as perfect as one can expect from a packet of gluten free bread mix.
All is well.