Blog Day 89
Latitude 40 50.90S
Longitude 113 54.39E
Barometer 1012
Air Temp 12c
Local Time 0252 UTC+8
LIVE TRACKER
Hi All,
I think the fact that in a few short days I will be arriving on dry land again has left me restless while I try to sleep. I went to bed by 3am but I spent until 8am tossing and turning and unable to fall asleep. The longer I laid there the harder sleep became. I was up and checking on the boat at 8am and it wasn't until after this that I was finally able to fall asleep. Throughout the night the winds have been holding from the NNE to the N so I was able to make a course to the NW for most of the night, in the morning the winds shifted a little further to the east and I was able to make some better grounds to the North.
The winds were also holding at around 15 knots, so I was still able to sail with the full mainsail up and the no 1 jib, but it was getting borderline. I woke at midday to change the micro plastic samples over and after putting my dubarry boots on and climbing through the hatch into the sail locker I discovered that there was once again no power to the science unit or micro plastic sampler. I checked the fuse, and it was blown, so I assumed that it was a quick fix of simply replacing the fuse, however the system wouldn't turn on with that either. I then checked the 12 v to 24 v converter and found this to be operating correctly, so I am at a bit of a loss as to why the system is down and I will keep trying to trouble shoot it, however everything that I tried today didn't work, so I was unable to collect any samples. Thankfully as we are back on the run north to Australia and I have already collected one set of samples from this area when I sailed out, but it would have been good to get a comparison set, so I will keep trying to get the system working.
I then went on deck to re-trim the sails and see if I could eekkkk a little more speed out of Climate Action Now. It was a glorious day of blue skies and sunshine when I got on deck, but within 3 minutes we had sailed into another fog bank. The skies were lost to the grey clouds, and a new chill arrived. The winds remained stable throughout most of the day, but by nightfall they started to build. The barometer was falling, and I was expecting winds, so I went on deck and switched out the no 1 jib for the smaller no 2 jib before settling in to read my book for a while. By midnight the winds were blowing in at 25 knots and I needed to put the first reef in the mainsail. I went out on deck and was wonderfully surprised to see that the fog had lifted. I was looking at a cloudy patchy sky that had bursts of clear sky that was filled with stars. As Climate Action Now cut through the waves and glided along the ocean I stood and stared at the ocean, just absorbing how nice it all was now. I spent nearly an hour just looking before remembering that I was on deck to put the first reef in the mainsail and set about getting the boat ready. We were still sailing close hauled, so Climate Action Now was leaning right over, and the lower edge of the decks were going under water every few minutes, but with the 1st reef in the mainsail we were able to flatten the decks off a little as we were no longer so overpowered. This has the advantage of reducing the leeway and allowing me to sail a more direct course.
I couldn't make myself leave the decks after setting the sails as it was just so picturesque. For most of this trip I have been living only inside the boat and venturing out on decks only to do a sail change or to check on things, so to be able to simply sit and enjoy a night of quality sailing was a wonderful change. I often get mesmerized by the ocean and I can sit and stare for hours just watching how the forces of the wind and waves play out. Tonight, I was enjoying the view with the half-moon to light the ocean when I noticed a slash through the surface of the ocean spraying up water in a line. It took me a moment to notice that it was a fin cutting the surface of the ocean. Once I saw it I couldn't stop seeing it and quickly realised that I was joined by a pod of dolphins. Even all the way out here I get such lovely company to welcome me home.
I now have less than 400 nm to sail to Albany, and Bob (metbob) sent his latest update today. It is now only showing the 25th of June as the arrival day and while this could change it is a great sign that I will likely be arriving on Wednesday. I really look forward to seeing everyone and finishing this circumnavigation off, but for now I need a little sleep. As always, before I go I would like to take a moment to thank the following degree sponsors.
Thank you to:
108 East - Life Times, Newcastle NSW - Ruth Boydell in memory of Dave Hopkins. Thank you so much for your support, Ruth, I really appreciate it. Ruth's Business 'Life Times' provides practical and compassionate support for those near life's end and you couldn't find a nicer and more genuine person to support you through such a tough time. Thank you again for the support Ruth.
113 East - Tailwind Nutrition - Huge thanks to Gavin and Rebekah Markey for your wonderful support.
114 East - Great Southern Wills - Thanks to Bernadette and Paul Terry for your amazing support and I look forward to seeing you in Albany.
115 East - d'Albora Marinas - Victoria Harbour, Docklands Vic - As always thank you to d'Alboara Marinas for your ongoing support. I really appreciate it.
116 East - Sister Ship Training - Thank you to Jackie Parry for your wonderful support. I look forward to sailing with you again one day soon.
SPONSORS
TECHNICAL PARTNERS
DEGREE SPONSORS CLICK HERE
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