We are at 4 degrees 58.91 South and 102 degrees 28.42 West, and are looking for weather buoys. In its never ending task of bringing up-to-date, but still inaccurate, weather information to Al Roker every evening, the government has placed a series of weather reporting buoys across the southern Pacific at 5 degrees south. These floating objects about the size of Volkswagens with a small tower have not been listed on any chart and it’s doubtful they are lit at night. An increased watch is in effect since no one needs to hit a VW a 1000 miles from nowhere without Allstate around. Still looking and nothing in sight with only .3 of a mile to go so we may not see one this trip. Maybe they don’t exist and the government just listed them in the budget and has really diverted the money into the continued cover-up of the Rosewell Alien invasion.
We are looking for a little more wind. Herb gave his usual advice to head South so we have increased our angle of attack on the wind and have gone from a comfortable broad reach to an uncomfortable close reach in the never-ending quest for stronger trade winds and that sure-to-follow spinnaker wrap. We crossed the magical 5 degree south line and nothing went bump in the night so maybe that Rosewell thing is true.
Caught a nice 15 lb. tuna this morning so eating will improve for several days. It is interesting how the fish is consumed over 2-3 days, but the smell and blood in the cockpit remain for at least a week. Hannah flatly rejected the super fresh tuna sushi but liked the cooked product, the true sign of a domesticated cat. Days have been beautiful with bright sunny skies and gentle cool winds, and the nights have been spectacular. A full moon never allows it to get dark and looks like a florescent light high in the sky bright enough to cast shadows. When the moon disappears the Southern Cross and Big Dipper are visible hanging low in their respective Hemispheres. The stars, which extend right down to the horizon, and the Milky Way, seem much brighter than in the Northern Hemisphere.
We only have 2240.9 NM to go and that elusive 200 NM day is still out there. We did 197 NM a day ago but it was hard going and not worth the pain. We will continue south until the trade winds are running strong and they will blow us down wind in comfort. Well, everything is relative.
Elizabeth is reading “Mahina Tare” by John Neal and Barbara Marrett. Barbara does a lot of crying, which fortunately hasn’t spread. “If they can just write about their thoughts and experiences and make money doing it, why can’t I, so the log goes on. Got the frequencies for BBC and VOA so we get some news and find out that the international scene is still very depressing, but at least they don’t report on the most recent exploits of our famous president.
Had a good day of sailing and will pass the 1/3 mark of 1000 NM tomorrow, only 2000 to go. Had a visit from dozens of dolphins the other day. They just came from all around as if the signal were sent out to come and play with the boat. I think we were the most interesting thing to come their way in a long time.
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