ON THE WAY TO MAURITIUS
30 September 2011 | 170 miles east of Port Louis, Mauritius
david
The Indian Ocean is treating us better these days. Since leaving Rodrigues yesterday during the morning, the local sea gods have dealt us 15 knot winds, some manageable swell and bright sunny days. Not that I trust these particular characters but for now, a much better crossing.
When approaching land and embracing the ironclad rule of 'no entrances at night' there is always the question...do I hurry and perhaps make it (if not its a long nights wait at the entrance) or do I slow down and add that extra night. Well, after a bit of back and forth, I have taken the main down an hour ago leaving the jib to do the work and will arrive the day after tomorrow in the morning 'con calma', as the Italians would say.
And now that funny word.....propagation - well suffice to say its been very bad lately making it almost impossible to send and receive messages through the radio, including this one. These radio waves are very fussy about just what route they take through the ionosphere and of late have been singularly unenthusiastic. They seem to like the night better, so once again in the dead of night I will attempt to send this post and see if its to their pleasing.
But for now...a comfortable quick crossing to the independent island of Mauritius, barely 30 miles long and 20 miles wide, an island Joseph Conrad called "sugary pearl of the Indian Ocean".