After 4 days of bobbing around 'mid ocean' and wondering which way was which, the winds have returned - 'westward' they say and so, with 15-20 knots at our back and sails let out, we are 'on the road again'.

Ashmore and Hibernia Reef are ahead, the last outposts of Australian Territories going west, excepting Christmas Island.

Last night saw great activity: from being chased at dusk, or so I thought, by what turned out to be a fishing boat-five guys waving black flags in a most unseaworthy craft to a phantom ship on my radar screen that tailed me in the wee hours of the morning, up close and almost personal, only to turn out to be an unlit Australian "Warship" I complained bitterly about their tactics but...all ended on a polite note.