"Bligh is Bailing"

Conditions are challenging but fun at the moment with seas up to 4.5mtrs,30kts wind from astern and at times we are surfing at 10kts with just the main up...we are bailing regularly with some seas coming over the side into the cockpit..nothing to worry about, just a few gallons at a time but very regular Speed is our friend in handling these steep seas. We average about 6kts so you will see us making good time on the map..maybe too good? the interesting challenge will be tonight..we are not racing but just trying to keep the boat safe so we do not want top slow down or present the boat side onto the as some are breaking and we like staying dry.

All this began to build last night and when I was on watch last night there was no moon, stars and a big rain squall with huge wind shift of 150 degrees and then rain and 30kts,,all contributing to total disorientation..fortunately the seas had not built at that time or a torch would have been needed..anyway we persevered and after that the moon came up making things workable...tonight will be not so easy..

We have total cloud cover and the moon not up anyway till midnight..we must have the boat set up for each wave so we will be using the compass light as a point of reference so all I can say is Bligh was a bigger man than me...we will try not to use torches tonight but will let you know how we get on..things are going to get tricky tomorrow too as we close Fiji...last night a few times we thought we heard pounding surf but nothing,,,

We have had to Jibe a few times, tried to catch some water in one rain squall but got 1ltr with too much wind and only using the mizzen. Food has become uninteresting, days are now spent in our harnesses, pumping the bilge, sleeping,writing up the log religiously every hour, watching the horizon for anything unexpected, trying to keep dry, and stop chafe on the rig...we have some big marks on the mast ..have pulled a solar Panel connection out..and worst of all I have lost my spoon!! how could that happen..we also generate quite a bit of rubbish which is surprising..a few have felt a little off at times today..Dave W has been amazed at the while scene out here which is impressive but as usual impossible to catch on camera..

So it is now an hour from dark...something tells me this will be a tough night..I am on with Chris from 1800 to 2200..then again from 0200 to 0600...so no sleep tonight...a wave just crashed onto the dodger to remind me...

All is good and this is why we are here..everyone still laughing and the conversations are about food , holidays and Kupang at the moment...looking forward to some easy sailing sometime soon...see you tomorrow...DON