Sunday 2nd August
During the early hours of the morning the wind drops, the sea starts to flatten out and we’re still pointing towards Brisbane, much further north than we want to be. When possible we’re trying to bring the boat round towards Coff’s Harbour and the engine is off and on a few times as we’re running low on fuel and trying to keep consumption to a minimum until we get a chance to refuel from the canisters in hopefully calmer conditions.
At 4am Ian becomes concerned about our energy situation as the batteries don’t seem to be charging – the freezer and Kevin’s anti-snoring/life support system are draining the system. By 10am the sea has calmed to a gentle roll so the crew breathe a sigh of relief and take the opportunity to tidy up, prepare more food and get showered for the first time since leaving Noumea! Ian now has 4 dreadlocks developing. Once all that’s done, we’re all up top enjoying the sun and a few beers in a nice 10 knot breeze. We’re now bang on course for Coff’s Harbour on a course of 228’. This is more like it; clear blue sky, sparkling sea and bright sunshine – Phil’s even put the fishing line out!
By Mid-day, we’ve covered 435 miles in 3 days. During the afternoon we’re followed by a big sea bird who is very interested in Phil’s line, at one point catching it, but thankfully letting it go before it’s hooked. We get the bird book out but can’t decide whether it’s a shearwater or a giant petrel. We’re missing Stewy’s bird identification skills, as well as others! Despite the sea now being very calm, we see no other wildlife.
As the night goes on it becomes glassy calm and the phosphorescence is brilliant – bright white lights fanning out from the wake all round the boat. The brightest stars are reflected on the water and there are stars all around us from the horizon up. On Annie’s watch, just before 2am, she’s see’s another boat on the horizon – the light is very bright and twinkling red and green. When Alex comes up at 2am, she and Annie study it a bit more, then agree it’s a star. Later Alex see’s another star doing the same red and green twinkling just before its sets on the horizon. There’s hardly a breath of wind, and although it’s a shame we’re not sailing, the watches are thoroughly enjoyable and totally stress free!