Day 6

Steady breeze of around 15 knots all day so made good progress.  The wind gradually backed round more to the east – at 11am we were able to gybe onto starboard where we stayed for the rest of the day.  Much more comfortable seas on this gybe.  We gradually left the adverse current behind and have been picking up a positive current now and then but nothing to write home about (but I am anyway!)

Not a lot of boats on this leg – most will go to Cocos via Indonesia or Christmas Island but we’re doing a twice a day SSB radio call with another British boat – Gallinago who we met in Darwin – they have just left Cocos to go to Rodrigues – it is nice to know there is someone else out there!  Apparently there are 17 boats on the World Arc (they do round the world in 18 months so slightly quicker than us!) who will shortly be coming this way – we’re trying to avoid being in the same place at the same time (as they take up a lot of space) but unfortunately our paths will cross in Mauritius.

I’m taking the magic ‘motion potion’ pills so we’re eating quite well – full 3 meals a day plus snacks – we may end up having to diet when we get there! 

No cetaceans – just the odd bird again (probably not the same one as yesterday) but the flying fish are getting bolder – one found lying on the floor of the starboard heads – must’ve come in through a small window (approx. 50cm x 15cm) about 2m from sea level - quite a feat!  We now have a lovely pattern of fish scales decorating the wall! 

24 hours miles: 177

Position at 08.30 – 4 September (GMT+8):  S13:54:49 E103:48:84