Yesterday I wrote when we were being buffeted by large seas and strong winds. Today I write and not a sign of wind anywhere. Motoring very slowly to conserve fuel-so slowly in fact that a dragon fly overtook me today! This veering from one extreme to the other is what makes this place so famously diabolical. And, as one enjoys the tranquility of a day like today, that enjoyment is marred by the fact that soon enough one knows that one will be going into battle again, as we swing to the other extreme.

However, Im making use of this no-wind-day in such things as transferring fuel from the spare tanks(very difficult to do in any rough seas), make enough drinking water so I dont have to spend time on the front of the boat where the watermaker resides, studying the weather, studying the approaches to both Durban and Richards Bay.

Richards Bay is about 90 miles north of Durban and is my backup incase Im thrown north by a SWester at the crucial moment. I hear one is gearing up for this weekend.

So, as I said before.....these calms make me nervous.

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