[password] Cowboys99
[status]
:position 24 13.11s 175 54.47e
383 miles to Navula Pass, the entrance through the reef at the South West corner of Fiji's southern island, Viti Levu. A mildly frustrating night - at about 4pm we had wind from due South at 10-15 kts as forecast. Almost perfect you'd think, given that Fiji is due North of us. But being unable to sail with the wind coming from dead astern we have to steer away 30 to 40 degrees. Given the relatively light winds, and the zig-zag course, our progress towards Fiji really slowed. So we gave up sailing, switched-on the engine and have been making 6-7 kts on the direct line to Fiji instead! At this pace we should arrive Monday night or Tuesday morning. Such a shame not being able to sail as the conditions are idyllic. Instead, the noise of the engine really grates, and the mainsail is slatting and banging... Tomorrow the wind is expected to come around more to the East so hopefully with the help of the spinnaker we can make good progress towards our destination without all the racket. On the positive side, I managed to convince the crew to forgo sushi for breakfast this morning and I made bacon, eggs, hashed browns, beans, hot coffee and crumpets. So happy days...
[END]
We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds.