position report day 6

The past 24 hours went well up until 0300H when we again got 25 kts on the nose. Consequently we are motoring slowly at about 4.5 kts. This should only last a few mor hours and we will be able to resume course for destination and gain some speed. We should be in by tomorrow morning if the weather behaves.
Current position at 0630H local time is 31 07S, 153 42E speed 4.5 kts course 228M wind speed 25 kts from SW seas 6-8 feet SW
140 miles to go

Position report day 5

Alas, the outstanding sailing we had yesterday is no more. The breeze went light and we went through a huge squall line with winds to 25 kts and then it went light again. We now have headwinds from the southwest and we are making slow progress. I still haven't decided whether we will stop in at Coffs Harbor and wait for some better weather to go south or bash directly through to Newcastle which is our final destination. Coffs is only 24 hours away so I will have to make my mind up pretty soon. All is well on board we are steadily eating our way through the freezer before the customs guys come aboard.
Current position at 0700H local time is 29 18S 155 19.6E. Speed is 5.5 kts course 235 M Wind is SW at 14 kts Seas 2-4 feet SW.

Day 4 Saturday october 8th, 2011.

Instead of motoring through an area of high pressure
as predicted by the forecast we have been skirting
the edge of the high and had ideal sailing conditions
over the past 24 hours. We did have to motor for a
few hours but then got into 12kts just ahead of the
beam. This has allowed us to lay a good course  for
our destination and also hang every rag we have
including the mizzen spinnaker. We have been going
between 8 and 9 knots since 1100H yesterday. The
wind increased to 15-18kts overnight and we have been
going fast under genoa, mizzen and reefed main sail.
Chili for dinner last night and all is well on  board.
Position at 0600H local time is 27 24S, 157 31E,
Speed 8.5 kts, Course 210M Wind
16kts NW Seas 4 feet.
We have 288 miles to Coffs Harbor and 444 miles to
Newcastle, ETA Monday or Tuesday depending on destination. 

6 October

Here is day 4 position report.  We have made better
progress over the past 24 hours.
There is no wind at all and we have been motoring for
the past 20 hours. It is calm with some long period
swells at about 6 feet from the south. We are making
7.0 kts on a course of 218M. Current position at
0600H (local time ) is 25 23E, 159 55S. We will most
likely head for Coffs Harbour rather than Newcastle
as there is a frontal system on the way and I don't
think we will be able to get into Newcastle before it
reaches us. ETA for Coffs Harbour is early Monday morning
(LT) but that may well change depending on conditions.
All is well on board, Joanne is over her mal de mer and
we a busy eating our way through the freezer before the
Ozzie quarantine officers take  all our remaining
food away 

Day 2 at 0500H local time Oct 6, 2011

The wind died at about midnight as predicted
and we are motoring slowly into the swell at
about 6.0 kts to preserve fuel as we still
have 700 plus miles to go. We should be through
the high in about 36 hours and should get some
useful breeze by then. We may have to make
landfall north of Newcastle as a new low  pressure
system is expected next week. We should
be in by then. The ride has been much less bumpy
since the wind went light. Beef stew for dinner
last night. Joanne should feel better today and
all is well on board. Current position is 23 38.9S,
162 17.3E, Speed 5.8 kts course 221M, wind 5kts 
variable mostly SW Swell 6 feet SW.

Day One

Our first 24 at sea have been difficult due to head
winds and intermittent rain  squalls. The forecast
says that as the low pressure system slides by to
the  south of us the wind should be more favorable
and then go light. We will wait  and see. All well
aboard, Joanne feeling a little green about the gills
but ok.  We have been sailing and motor sailing and
trying to keep our course. We may  have to go to
Brisabane before we get to Newcastle at this rate.
Current position is 23 02.6S, 164 32.9E.  Course is
255M and speed is 6.0 kts.  We made a pitiful 126
miles in the past 24 hours of which only 110 was to 
destination. Wind speed has varied from 10 kts to 28
kts in squalls from the SW. Should have a better time
later today and tomorrow

Ilot Maitre, New Caledonia

The fuel dock at Port Moselle

The crew, Roger, Joanne and yours truly on the foredeck

We are now moored up at Ilot Maitre on a very blustery afternoon with intermittant rain and gusty winds as a front blows though to the south of us.

We are all checked out of New Caledonia and we are topped off with fuel and provisions are aboard. The weather should clear by tomorrow and we are leaving for the 1000 mile cruise to Newcastle , Australia at dawn.

I will post a position report on a daily basis.