[password] Ridingmore
[position] 34 24.5S 176 03.8E
[weather]15-18 knots from SW
[status] Ah me and my optimism!! I've a strong preference for it over pessimism, but sheesh does it suck when you get it wrong! The expected heading wind arrived about 12 hours earlier than forecast, so since about 7pm last night, we've been running a course that nicely puts us on target for East Cape - not quite the dream run we had hoped! So we are still about 110 miles away from Opua, but almost due east of our destination now, so we're hanging in there on starboard tack waiting for the forecast wind shift to the south, at which point we'll tack and (hopefully?!) run straight for Opua.. We'll see what the wind gods actually deliver! If the shift comes as expected, we should be in to Opua some time tomorrow morning....
Hey to you boats following closely behind - don't forget to pack your woolly socks before you depart French Poly - I know it seems like crazy talk now, but its freaking cold here!! I've been sleeping in merino long johns and a marino jersey, with thick socks on, under a sheet, duvet, and a blanket, and still struggling to stay warm enough, even with an Izzie-sized hot water bottle!! Where's the diesel heater when you need it!
Keep Kool til after skool
Patea out

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