SailBlog

I had no idea what kind of night I would have in this funky storm...but the winds clocked a bit to the west, moderated, and they managed to stay steady and gentle all night...not a fast night but what a sweet night of rest. The sun was up before I had to get out of bed to adjust any sails. It was a brisk morning, though, it has warmed up nicely. There were early morning squalls about with little rainbows...all good signs. I was reminded in my early morning quiet time of the blessing of being able to be out here sailing the world... The winds shifted to NE. ...I made it to the other side of the storm circle! The winds have stayed up nicely all day but they are continuing to clock to the East. Now, as the sun is setting, they are pretty hard on the nose. We will see what the night brings. Though I made it out of harms way of the gale blowing to the west, the winds on this side are going to clock to the east. The whole system will finally move more east and the center passes back over me with very light winds tomorrow. So a day of rest, i think it will be...then sometime on the 24th, that system will clear to the east and a new pattern will come through with westerlies and I will be off again, but in lighter winds. I will have to work my way back south to avoid another huge high that will be moving in where I am now. The next week I should have a mix of good NW winds and a bit of light winds inbetween weak frontal boundaries. I am starting to look ahead at approaching the Australian coastal waters. I will be in touch with Bob McDavitt to see what the long range weather looks like for a good latitude to proceed east. I am still struggling to find any squalls or rain storms with any significant water to catch ... so I am starting to consider sailing close enough to the Tasmania coast to be in boat traffic to see about getting water. As long as I don't get off or let anyone on my boat...or go to a dock, I will maintain my nonstop status. As long as I am afloat, I can allow someone to fill cans for me and float them to me... I have lots of 5 gal buckets and containers. So...all is very good on board. I am trying to get back into study and writing mode now that the harshest seas are abating and life on board resuming some 'normalcy'... I am no longer in contact by radio...I do miss the interaction and hearing voices, having chats... but I am also finding I am starting to unwind and relax into a quieter mode. I am oh so grateful to Joan and Jen who have been making contacts for me and getting me infromation for all the coast guards for the upcoming countries...Aussi, Taz, and NZ... I have a good contact in all places now. I am still finding out about the rainfall around the islands, hoping that i will still be able to get enough rain water to avoid needing assistance. My creative energy has been pretty non existent...I guess I am getting worn out a bit...the rough conditions do take their toll. It will be good to have the G Forces subside for a while and be able to get out on deck without getting wet with spray...i am looking forward to a gentle sailing day...but I will take a becalm day if that is what there is...All I can do is sail what there is... IS... I am sorry that i can't get on my Sailblog to change my boat name there. I will make real ceremony of it when I get home near May 1. Thank you to all who commented the day I announced changing it...I had one of my team pass on the comments from that day...bighugs to you all...Joy with wind in Face...Jeanne, Judy, jeff...hmmm all J's... Thank you. Keepin On Sailin on a Dream... It is a dream and one day not too far ahead I will wake up and be home to a new beginning...everyday is a new beginning, no past to hold us, no worries too great for the moment to manage... staying present is where the energy is...I am doing my best to stay there.

Fairest of Winds and the Love of the Ocean Only Gratitude Donna

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