day 164:
Miriam here, tucked into bed and nearly asleep at the late hour of 7 pm. That’s the price one pays for dawn watch I suppose, sunrises traded for sleep deprivation. Last night was especially dynamic, beginning with Wendy toodling along in sedate 13 knot winds which shifted to brisk 20 knot winds and choosing to hand steer for the fun of it. I set Wendy again when it dropped a bit, went below to put a kettle on and surprise! The wind dropped to almost nothing and it was time to motor for a few. Short lived thankfully for soon enough the wind returned, the jib was unfurled, and off we sailed. All this in 3 hours. This theme has continued with variable conditions and strange lulls throughout the day but now, as the sun sets behind piles of clouds, we are enjoying a steady moderate easterly wind, heading straight to NZ. Despite clouds in all directions and some tiny squalls, the sun came out for a brisk, clear afternoon that I enjoyed by writing and stretching a little in the cockpit, bundled up in all my layers. Matt cooked up a delicious pile of fried everything and Naomi’s pie just came out of the oven. I’m saving my slice for 3 am. Sweet dreams!