Nov 06, 2005 – 0900hrs UTC

Desperately slow progress – the fact that we only managed 110 miles yesterday, with everything including current apparently going with us has caused me to put on my Realist’s hat (sounds like something Charles the First might have worn, wide, raking, floppy and feathered – perhaps Cromwell’s helmet might be more appropriate though) and look a bit more carefully at the Equation. I think that the minimum distance we will have to sail to reachSydneyis about 5500 miles along essentially rhumb lineSee wikipedia (Wikipedia). See also Great CircleSee here (Wikipedia). courses. We have 50 days to do it. In the last three weeks or so, we have averaged less than 90 miles a day. Although this could change, wearing my silly hat it seems to me rather unlikely that we will be able to get toSydneyin time for the start. We have lost the momentum and we will find it hard to catch up. We shall keep trying, but it gets more difficult with each slow day. By the time we get toCapeLeeuwin, in about a month, the numbers will be on the wall and we will know whether we have any sort of a chance. A dramatic arrival on Boxing Day would be fun but a touch stressful in the making!

If it becomes clearly impossible, we’re at a bit of a loss as to what to do, but I think that we will head for SE CapeThe southernmost point of the main island of Tasmania andHobart, perhaps to meet the S2HSydney-Hobart Race: often described as the most gruelling ocean race in the world, this annual race starts on 26th December from Sydney Harbour and ends in Hobart. The course is 628 nautical miles. fleet down there for New Year’s Eve and a certain Birthday. This would add the 5thCapeand close the 2 handed circumnavigation where it began, at the Iron PotA small island lying close to the south-eastern coast of Tasmania around the entrance to the River DerwentThe Derwent is a river in Tasmania, Australia. Its large estuary forms the port of Hobart. . It is the site of Tasmania’s first lighthouse., which has a nice compensatory symmetry. Whatever, it will be a very sad decision to have to make. Should it happen, then I think that a possible rendezvous in Recherche Bay with the BOGgersBrolga Owners, perhaps the Pippins if not S2HSydney-Hobart Race: often described as the most gruelling ocean race in the world, this annual race starts on 26th December from Sydney Harbour and ends in Hobart. The course is 628 nautical miles.’ing, Wildfire and the Tascraft mob and anyone else who cares to come down would add a touch of historical significance to the venture and give us something to look forward to. We could then all sail north to the Pot and celebrate together.RechercheBaywas where all the early explorers stopped for water and wood and a rest – there’s a long list of them and some of their stonework remains are still visible ashore.

From Rob Baker – thanks Rob and I’m sure you won’t mind my quoting you:

That low that caught you at the Barn DoorMetaphor for whatever we were aiming at. Derived from the saying “Couldn’t hit a barn door at five paces” used to describe anyone who can’t shoot straight. came from virtually nowhere…from a 997mb low behind you and deepened quickly to 975mb when it was on top of you, and then continued to deepen to a remarkable 933mb as it moved to the south east.

A nasty….and unusual…. assignment from the ExaminerShe who asks awkward questions of the crew and tests them with difficult tasks..

I’ll say! And then she sent us another one! WHWDTDT?