Noon Position: 39 05.8 S 146 28.5 E
Course: SE Speed: 3 knots
Wind: ENE, F3 - gentle breeze
Sea: slight Swell: SE 1m
Weather: partly cloudy, mild
Day's Run: 66nm

We held the breeze, a light headwind predominantly from the east, until 0200 this morning by which time we had worked our way to within fifteen miles of Wilsons Promontory, the southern most point of mainland Australia and a choke point for shipping transiting Bass Strait. Rather than motoring through the night, which would have meant no rest at all, I attempted to keep on sailing in the light air. We made very little progress but I did manage to obtain some good sleep as we drifted clear of the busy shipping lane.

At 0600 there was still no wind but the sun was starting to make it presence felt on the eastern horizon and, feeling well rested, I started the motor and pointed Sylph's bows towards Wilsons Prom. We motored relatively close to the land, staying in the inshore traffic zone and thus keeping clear of any shipping that might be using the traffic separation scheme (though no ships actually passed during this time). At 1130 we had cleared South East Point and with a light breeze starting to fill in from the east, we have set sail and shut down the engine.

The forecast is for light and variable conditions this afternoon so we will not be making much easting today. Fortunately the wind is expected to pick up from the north later tonight and then back into the NW so hopefully we will be able to make some ground in the right direction for a while. But then a SE'ly change is expected late tomorrow - more headwinds.

This passage is shaping up to be a bit on the slow side.

All is well.