Last night, after I wrote the wind and seas started to build. This morning we had a short lived (just a few hours) gale. Since we were sailing domnwind and the weather did not have the fetch or the time to build really large breaking seas. My watch started at 0800 and within 20 minuites the entire crew was on deck wanting to drive the boat. We are keeping a crew journal in which I wrote I had never seen such pleasure and pure joy amongst a group of sailors driving a boat in lousy conditions. They all loved it, however by noon we had settled into a more typical Pacific sailing routine. Warm, sunny weather, gentle breezes and a long rolling sea. Priceless.
We have sailed a bit over 400 miles leaving about 250 to go. Thus the big question is how long will it take to finish. Weather forecasts suggest we are in for a patch of really light winds, followed by some decent sailing breezes. The east coast of Tasmania is known for changeable conditions thus it is impossible to tell when we will arrive. In some years, the really fast boats have made it to Tasmania in a day and a half, only to be becalmed in the Derwent River (the final approach to Hobart) for hours on end.
One more thought; the picture I am attempting to post with this was taken with a Go-Pro by Steve Abley (he also has some fantastic videos that I am certain will be on the open Facebook page)however it does not do justice to the scene. The scene was a well defined setting sun, a single star and the rising of a sliver of a crescent moon. Mostly against a cear blue twilight sky. Not much could be prettier than that. more later................