[password] bulletYIT
[position] 26 16.3 S 178 10.4 W
[weather] wind direction 214, 9kts
[speed] 5kts
[heading] 005t
[status] Day 6 - sailing for 5 days and two hours and approx 345 nm to Tonga. Yesterday around lunch we endulged in midway party consisting of burger rings, bhuna mix, salted nuts and chocolate. This unscheduled pig out replaced the specified lunch so we're unsure how to work our menu now. I'm sure there will be a solution to our woes in this department! We towed a couple of Craig's lures all day but luck was not on our side in this department. We get to keep eating Loren's tasty creations and the fish get to keep doing whatever they do. With music on we kept on our same tack that we've been on since leaving nz with continuing wind on the beam of 12 knots and boat speeds of 6-7 with full main. Very comfortable sea state has us down below sitting around the saloon seating enjoying the layout. Mid afternoon we spotted a bunch of young pilot whales about 100m off our port side and moving in our direction. A couple of flying fish came onto the scene and this had Craig salivating
uncontrollably. We also topped up the diesel tanks from our jerry cans while the sea was so smooth. With Toronui only 20 nm off our port quarter we had a couple of vhf check ins with them throughout the day. We had a pretty magic sunset that spread across the sky around us as we heated our chicken burritos. Mmmm. The wind built up after dinner towards 18 knots so we reefed down and settled into our evening watches. Craig's always on 6 - 9pm, Carmel on 9-12, Kevin midnight - 3am and then Perryn the 3am to 6am shift. Throughout the day we are generally all up with Perryn catching up a bit on sleep between 8am til midday or so. This system works really well is is quite luxurious really! Amazing how a day slips by on the boat as we slide along. It's awesome having a full range of gourmet dinners prepared for us. Thanks again Loren... The evening brought some wind shifts of up to 30 degrees, hazy skies and the odd dark cloud.
This morning brought another temperate day. This allowed removal of some layers of thermal clothing and foot wear which further required the emergency response asphyxiation team to swing into full action, opening vents to maximum and double bagging the offending items of clothing. No names will be mentioned. After our odour induced sickness subsided our thoughts returned to food. A cleansing breakfast of fresh fruit salad with muesli, cranberries and raw nuts set us up for the day. We checked in with Toronui again and sailed on into a fading breeze. Motor just gone on...[END]