1:15pm Jan 14th local; 7:15pm EST

Pos: S 38d40m W 168d00m
Course 78d at 5kts

The seas are really bumpy with a large underlying swell from the south so the ride is frankly terrible. In addition wind speed varies from about 19 to 26 and even 32kts so I got to have the sail configuration that can handle the upper scale and thus we end up under-canvassed a lot of the time which makes the motion worse because the boat lacks power to punch through. In addition the wind direction is somewhat stuck (we have a course varying from 80d to 55d whereas we'd like to go S of E at about 110d. And to top it all there are going to be several more days of this with Wednesday a complete pill with this kind of wind on the nose!!! Our progress has globally not been that great both in speed and direction so I can't wait to escape to the South with hopefully better wind consistency and direction. But that won't happen until the end of this week I think.

The seas are so awful that Janneke has been feeling sick but fortunately I'm fine; just a few sore spots here and there, from rough landings.

Yesterday night I went on deck for a nightly check as a phosphorescent wave crest passed under the boat , the milky way and the Magellanic clouds were stunning and I saw a satellite. Taking it all together in one sight was really something!

I should try and work on the water maker but in these chaotic seas it's a bit of a chore. I think I told you that the sound system conked out, which should bring words of pity from you! (waiting....). Janneke saw a container ship last night, first on the AIS and then its lights: there are humans around!