At about 6 pm last night, I had given up - the doldrums had won for the day, they had worn me down, I could chase their quixotic whims no longer. I turned off the engine, brought down the sail, and as Shearwater drifted aimlessly, I bid her 'goodnight' and went to bed. Heavy sleep until about 1230 when I awoke and, to both my disgust and delight, there it was, almost smiling at me, a nice 10 knot breeze, from the south - did I really first have to admit defeat?

Well, not looking at the proverbial 'gift horse in the mouth', I dragged myself up to the front, hauled up the jib and waited. Oh how I didnt trust. But yes, this time, it seemed to be consistent, the direction the same, was the game up? Shearwater glided through the calm sea. Half an hour later, from my bunk, my eyes riveted to the instruments... indeed, no change - still from the south at 10. I finally closed my eyes ... and all through the night...that smiling zephyr from the south.

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