Noon Position: 35 47.4 S 138 08.9 E
Course: SSE Speed 5.5 knots
Wind: ESE F2-3
Sea: slight Swell: SSE 1.5 meter
Weather: overcast, mild
Day's run: 12 nm

Once the cruise ship's commuter traffic had stopped and the ferry had finished its business for the day, the waters of Hogs Bay calmed significantly and we enjoyed a peaceful night at anchor.

This morning we arose with the sun which, in the dying days of daylight savings time, is at the relatively civilised hour of seven o'clock. Surveying the weather forecast over breakfast I decided we may as well continue on our way. The winds will be light from the south initially, freshening tomorrow then veering into the SW later in the day, and further into the west on Thursday. So, with a bit of luck, I am hoping we might make it around Cape Northumberland with the W'lies and perhaps even make a direct run for Port Philip.

To that end, after breakfast I got the dinghy inboard and weighed anchor. We have tacked out of Backstairs Passage in the light airs but have now resorted to the engine to help us past Cape Willoughby, the south-eastern point of Kangaroo Island, before the tide turns against us. At the moment we have an ebb tide running into a S'ly swell, which with the light winds had Sylph bobbing around going very slowly. Once we get past Cape Willoughby, hopefully the seas will settle and we will be able shut down the engine, ease sheets a little, bear away to the SSW and gain some sea room so that when the SW'lies arrive we will be able to clear Cape Northumberland on the one board.

As we punch into the head seas Oli has assumed his customary position under the bunk covers.

All is well.