Position: 29 degrees, 13 minutes south 178 degrees, 21 minutes east

Drying out the foulies takes up the whole cabin

Thank goodness we had a nice day since last night was a brutal one. That was the height of the low that came across and while the waves were only in the 3 meter or so range, the wind was really gusting. We estimate it was a constant high 20s gusting somewhere into the 30s all night. We had a double reef and stays’l and were rail down. Then the gusts would hit and we’d round up a bit, the sails would shake the rig for from 10 seconds to a minute in the high gusts and then we’d be back to smoking along. We did about 140 miles, so were averaging 6 knots in that configuration. No lightning though, so I can’t totally complain too much.

We sailed out of the low sometime around 0900. Just like that we were in milder weather. It was pretty sudden. There was total darkness, rain, and gusty wind, then a couple hours after sunrise, we just sailed out of the clouds into the clear. I could look back and see the huge black squall still raining behind us and clear sky ahead. The barometer is up 5 to 1015, so that’s another sign. Anyway, we’ve been sailing all day in about 15-20 on the beam. We’ve had a double reef, stays’l and jib and are making about 6 knots. If it gets squally again this evening we can just furl the jib, so it’s a nice combo to have up. Not super fast, but the wind vane likes it and the flexibility to just furl and unfurl from the cockpit instead of having to go up to the mast to reef and un-reef the main is nice. Looks like tomorrow’s wind are getting lighter though, so we might shake out one or two of the reefs for the first time since leaving NZ.

Since it was a calmer day, we also had a real dinner tonight instead of pre-made. The first two days out we ate the pressure cooker beans, ham and potato thing I made Sunday night. No cook, just heat. Then last night was still too rough to conveniently cook, so Ann just heated up some soup. So it was nice this evening to actually be able to make something fresh. I made a stir fry pork and cabbage with ginger-garlic and peanuts. It wasn’t bad considering I’ve never made it before.

And the bucket brigade continues...

No progress on the blocked head so the “Bucket Brigade” continues exercises. The funny part is that it (the process of emptying the potty bucket) has become normal activity. Sailors are flexible people. Ann’s thought for the day is that we are still in the clothes we put on the first night. Some layers are coming off as the weather warms or the rain ceases. Fortunately none of us seem to smell too much, or perhaps our own fragrances provide cover for all. Just another sailing adaptation. We are all hoping tomorrow will bring weather warm enough for a cockpit shower! Lisa’s comment: It’s nice, and very noticeable to finally be in the 20’S! I have packed away my warmest gear today, and am looking forward to breaking out some shorts and t-shirts in a couple of days. Yes – last night was a busy one! Ann and I would take turns sitting in the companion way looking forward while the other would be alongside in the cockpit tucked up inside the dodger. We kept up the conversation to keep our minds off the weather, but every once in a while the companionway sitter would shout “WAVE!” and we would both brace ourselves for the onslaught of a big one breaking over the bow and into the cockpit, then carry on wherever we had just left off. Sure helped to make the night pass by much quicker having a buddy to get through the big ones with. Hopefully tonight we won’t have to be shouting WAVE so often! Oh yeah – and nothing like handing your bucket up to your friend and sharing in the days outcome! That’s enough on that subject! So that’s it for now, we’ll see you all tomorrow…