Skippers log #36
46 04s 134 12e at 12:30 GMT
The winds have freshened signaficantly. It is blowing 25 knots, sometimes higher. It is cold, foggy and the seas lumpy. Early this morning when I realized that conditions were deteriorating, I cooked a big pot of pasta that should last two days. I hate cooking in these conditions. When conditions kicked up, everything went very damp inside. I wanted to listen to some music. So when I turned on the CD player that the Prudential team in Charleston gave me, I got no sound. Frustrated, I decided to let the system run. Well, eventually it heated itself up and I have U2 blearing away in the cabin. I am tired of the southern ocean and ready for some sun and R&R. I had a great e-mail from a friend, Jane Dyke in Charleston, that lifted my spirits. It is the little things that make a difference. My feet are healing. I actually have feelings in them, other than pain. Without the heater, it is hard keeping warm. Drinking lots of hot chocolates and Russian Tea as I get my brains pounded.
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Skippers log #37
45 17s 137 41e at 11:30 GMT
A sever weather front came through this morning, with winds gusting up to 42 knots. Once the front past, the wind shifted 100 degrees. I had to take the mainsail down as it was just too rough. As I was taking the main down, a wave broke over the bow. Three feet of water travelled over the deck, engulfing me up to the knees in water. I got thoroughly soaked. With no heater, It is proving hard to get warm, let alone dry. I am shivering, climbed into my sleeping bag to try and conserve what body heat I can. I have also sailed onto a more northeasterly heading so that tomorrow I can be in some warmer weather. Two hours before the front hit Minoru and I, we were on the radio sked with Neil Hunter who warned us of the imminent weather. He got caught by surprize and suffered damage to his auto pilot and his mainsail. So at least I was ready.
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Skippers log #38
45 00s 141 30e at 11:45 GMT 1,820 miles to Aukland
The sun came out today, with a few puffy clouds. It was a good reason to be on deck, and as I was up on deck, basking in the warmth, I decided to helm and take off my shoes to let my socks dry. My feet are healing. The pins and needles have gone away. Pushing the boat hard today, I am racing Minuro to the finish line. He leads me by less than 100 miles, and the gap is closing slowly. Tasmania is 243 miles away. The Tasman Sea did not have a huge amount of wind last month due to a high. If the winds go light in the Tasman Sea, I have a better chance of catching Minuro. He knows I am chasing him, as we spoke on the radio this morning. We exchanged weather information, checked that everything is well. This is a morning ritual at 04:00 GMT between Minuro, Neil Hunter and I. Neil normally gives us the overall weather, as he get it first. If any of us had a problem overnight, it is here that we discuss solution. All is quiet though, and slowly we are getting out of the nasty weather.
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Skippers log #39
44 20s 145 18e at 10:30 GMT
It will hopefully be my last night on this leg in the Southern Ocean. The winds have gone light, which has been charactistic of the Tasmin Sea, which we will enter tomorrow. 37 days have past since my last sight of land. I guess about another 14 days to go, depending on weather. Today I got my favorite supplies out and accessable. I have spent about 5 hours helming, so for each couple of hours helming I am going reward myself in some ways. Today it was a bar of chocolate, a soft drink and custard. I am tired, and need to get some rest before passing close to Tasmania. In the southern ocean due to the coldness, I was sleeping a lot. I was getting about 8-9 hours some nights. Now as it warms up, I will sleep less an push harder. During the sleep sessions I have been having some vivid dreams, but not as frequently as I did on leg one. Or at least, I don't remember as I was sleeping for longer sessions as well. Some naps were 3 hours long. Now that is over. I will encounter shipping soon.