Spirits were rising when I wrote yesterday. Sun was out, crew feeling better. Unfortunately the wind strengthened again in the afternoon. I did a long and strenuous stint on the helm. But did I receive praise & commendation for this? Not at all. By the end of my stint all crew were looking like nearly expired exhibits at the Tseung Kwan O Fish Market. We took the staysail down for the night, and had the jib furled to the size of a handkerchief. Well, the wind eased a bit in the night anyway. Today the wind is still fresh, but not too bad. Seas have settled a little. Truth is journey so far has been pretty hard yakka. The wind didn't ease as we'd hoped. Hasn't been much sitting in the cockpit strumming guitars and singing 'Kumbaya'. Still, we are shooting like an arrow towards the North Cape. Another 150nm in the bag from Day 3. Skies grey, and not much to see. A few seabirds, and how beautiful they are - swooping, gliding and turning so swiftly above the waves. Not too much else to see in this big Pacific Ocean. Tally: Seabirds - many. Flying fish - some. Other vessels - 1, just before. Plastic litter - 0, bearded men astride logs waving frantically - 1. Everyone's pretty good today - eating, talking, taking their turns on the helm. Halfway already. See yas soon!

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