At 6am there was a particularly heavy downpour after which the sails were backed by a sudden wind shift from E to N. I'd just finished shaking out a reef left in overnight and we then had gybe onto port tack but soon gybed back onto starboard in the fickle wind - a process repeated several more times over the day in an effort to keep heading N or E. In fact, we've been mostly drifting around all day at about 0.3kt in all directions except due W in the variable light conditions under a cloudy sky. The sea became glassy-smooth with tiny ripples, a slight swell and a fog bank lurking all around in the distance by 3pm. Mid-morning, had pleasant radio contact on 15m (on 21280kHz) with Bruny Island (Tasmania). I was later amused to come across a big 'pile-up' of people trying to contact Mark, VI6AJ - a "Queen's Birthday Special" call-sign in Australia.
At 6pm, finished an unexpectedly long sked on 20m (14290kHz) with a lot of friendly well wishers. Then came on deck and was surprised to find us sailing E in a gentle N wind (but with fog close by). If we can keep this up, maybe we can escape the Frontal system that's been dogging us and hampering our progress over the last few days - fingers crossed!
A Laysan albatross has been seen several times again today and Black-footed albatross suddenly took off from the sea nearby where it had been resting just before nightfall. The paler area at the base of its bill was very noticeable, contrasting with its dark plumage.
24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 90n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2112n.ml. (053T); Midway Island: 582n.ml. (232T); San Francisco 2216n.ml (071T)
From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.
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