Oct 22, 2005 – 1600hrs UTC

1600hrs 22 Oct 2005 UTC 39’21”S 015’03”E Ref 474

it has eased for a bit – a gentle 40 + knots – and the sun is out, low in the sky with a hard metallic light – intense blue grey sea with 100 metre seething milky trails roaring off behind the huge breaking waves. when we get caught in one, berri starts almost underwater, shakes erself off and rolls back down the frothy streak – the sound is quite different from the normal crash – more a fierce hissing bubblung surge. the sun shines through the breaking crests giving brilliant radiance – diamonds on a velvet cushion – except they are moving at about 20 knots and have enormous power. still quite violent movement but tolerable. moreto come though. we are able to climb north for a bit, so may make life easier. i think dec 11 @ se capeThe southernmost point of the main island of Tasmania is now a folorn hope but we’ll keep trying.

at the very height of the storm, in the worst gustsShort increases in wind speed – or people who signed the Gust Book., a solitary albatross hovered over the stern riding the fury, wingtips twitching to keep station. wonderful sight.