Position: 31 degrees, 14 minutes south; 173 degrees, 10 minutes east (127 NM day)

It’s always a magical day when you see an albatross majestically soaring across the waves. These birds are almost prehistoric in appearance. They don’t seem a long way from a pterodactyl with their huge wingspan. This one looked to be close to 10 feet, which is almost as wide as Charisma! I think it is the type called the Great Albatross. In any case, he soared right next to us, close enough to clearly see the distinctive bump on the beak and see that he was giving us the old once over. Amazing birds!

Last night we were blessed with a perfect moon. It was just beautiful as it rose above the clouds just after sunset. All night it moved gracefully in and out among the clouds, playfully watching over us. One moment nothing more than a “glow” behind some dark clouds, then it suddenly reveals itself blinding us with its brilliance.

The last few days have been nice sailing if a little frustrating not being able to go in the direction we need/want to go in. Last night at 0330 that ended as the wind died to the point we needed to turn on the noise maker. I don’t like to use the engine, but given the issues with the weather, promised if our boat speed dropped below 5 knots, we’d make the move. Actually I cheated a bit and waited until we were in the 3’s when it was clear the wind was going away. We’re racing the weather on this trip, so on came the engine. No waiting around.

It’s not just the wind either. In this neck of the woods (according to the Pilot Chart) there’s actually a current running east to west across our course that will affect us until we’re below almost 32 south, so in the light air this current was also conspiring to push us further west than we need to go. Not a big deal when there’s enough wind and time, but we’re running out of both as we’re racing the weather systems.

OK, I know that at least of few of you are anxiously awaiting a report on Ann’s lime seed spitting progress. She is working furiously at developing her technique. It is indeed getting better, but sadly far too many seeds are ending up in the scuppers as her attempts to launch said projectiles over the solar panels have been falling short. One seed did just make it to the top of the solar panel and lost its momentum and is now unceremoniously sitting on the panel.

So close, yet still so far.