For the sailors amongst you, we thought we'd let you know what's going on meteorologically. Right now there is a big, diesel-sucking complex high pressure system over Eastern Australia, which is basically giving us fine, mild and sunny weather. But it is unfortunately at the same time killing all useful wind.
So to leave heading NE at the moment would mean heading into the wind and a very weak wind at that. Meaning motoring for several days. Not what we want to do.
Next thing, we are going to get a trough and associated low as the high passes East - this low will bring up 25 - 30 knot winds and 4 to 5 metre seas: we never willingly set off in those sort of conditions.
So we think we'll just have to bite our tongues, sit tight and hop on the Southerly winds that follow the low as it passes Eastwards, as soon as the seas moderate a bit. Trouble is ridiculously easy to find at sea if you're impatient, even without going out looking for it.
Incidentally, a boat called "Taloha" left this morning for Noumea, and I just ran a passage simulation for his course on Buoyweather, and it shows him with no useful or fair breeze for at least 96 hours - less than 15 knots and on the nose - for a big flat-bottomed modern sloop as he is this will mean motoring for three-quarters of his way to Noumea. By the way, "Taloha" is the old "Sunboy" rebadged. Anyone who has followed our blog may remember "Sunboy" as the big Hanse that came from New Caledonia to Coffs Harbour at the same time as us in 2010 and who suffered some rigging failures on passage. The renamed boat has new owners.
Cheers, and we'll try to keep you posted as the Wx unfolds.
John and Shauna