Missed a day, might be because we sailed back into the past as we crossed the international date line. Well not exactly sure as the line is not straight and doesn’t coincide with going from west to east on the coordinate system. For all practical purposes we are no longer future folk, just on the same day.

The real reason for skipping a day was because of a huge warm front (storm) that brought big and choppy waves in short internals. It made for lots of motoring in big bouncy conditions. Hind sight pm it wasn’t that bad, we could have deep reefed the sails and sailed along. Would have needed to sail slowly to make a comfortable ride, so was just a bit easier to use the engines to get a decent rhythm with the 3 meter waves and the 30knot winds. Plus, the sails are new, they don’t need to be punished so soon. Like we can’t sit on our new cushions either. 😉

We are stopping in Minerva south this morning. We slow rolled yesterday to arrive at day break, then the wind died and which pushed our arrival till late afternoon. Doh, can’t seem to get the timing right. But topping up the batteries before arriving and running the water maker makes it sound like a brilliant plan.

The waves have calmed down a bunch, it’s warmer, but still not summer. Will be super nice when the sun rises.

Another boat is on our port side, 5 miles away and will be arriving around the same time. Also looks like there will be a couple others in south Minerva too. We know a couple boats up in north Minerva, they may still be there when we stop there next.

All good looking forward to getting the anchor down and just exploring about.

Long day of slow motoring waiting for the winds to wake up and read the same forecast we do. I think the winds stayed at the party too late and got a late start. Nice lazy day, the seas were down, overcast but the drone of the port engine was all the noises. No wind, no crashing over waves, no splashing on water everywhere. Maybe we should just get a trawler and motor everywhere when there is no wind. I’d bet the forecasts for that would be off as well. 🙂

Wind was supposed to switch to Northwest when it built back up around noon. So being eager to sail, we raised the main sail around 11 with high hopes. The wind started building around 2pm, but from NorthEAST exactly where we are heading. Ugh, we can sail due east or northwest, we sample a little of both and reread the forecast.

A definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. At least I accept my senility and hopeful feeling that something will change.

Now that wind has built from the north we must sail over the wind waves that also built. A very bumpy ride to say the least, and of course it’s now pitch dark outside and I’m eagerly awaiting the moonrise to hopefully see approaching squalls before the radar alarm goes off.

Challenge accepted! Guess we could have stayed on land,but that comes with it’s own challenges too. With any luck, the winds will come from a little more west and let us have guessed right heading notheast with double reefed sails. If not we will end up,in French Polynesia or simply accept the challenge and change the sails to the other side of the boat.