Position: 36.17 S, 114.25 E
What a gift to speak with MaryLou this morning. It’s a day to celebrate as we have reached several milestones over night. First and foremost is passing under our third Great Cape, Cape Leeuwin*, secondly, we are now officially in the Indian Ocean, and thirdly we are on a new chart – Cape Leeuwin to Southeast Indian Ridge, which is from 115 degrees East longitude to 85 East longitude. This is the same distance as it is from South Cape on Tasmania to Cape Leeuwin and almost half way to the Cape of Good Hope. With that explanation you can see how my mind works -chopping long distances down to a size it can fathom. It’s all about coping with distances that are hard to relate to.
It took 16 days to get from South Cape to Cape Leeuwin, which was 30 degrees of westing, It is 55 degrees to half way, and 95 degrees to The Cape of Good Hope. Half way mark is 2,556 nm from here, and the Cape Of Good Hope is 4,389 nm away. It took me 12 days to go 30 degrees and my average miles down the line due west was 80 nm per day. So I will be half way by Jan. 7th and, to the Cape of Good Hope by Jan 28th. These are estimations of course. We’ll see how we do in the coming months.
For now, we have easterly winds and will travel most of today in a north westerly direction to make sure we stay with them for as long as possible. Then turn west and make up as many miles west as we can. We are running with just the jib at the moment. I have the main down which needs to have two of the bindings that hold the sail to the cars replaced due to wear. I am going to see if I have two small shackles that will do the job as this is the second time I have replaced these bindings. We have our quilted light grey over cast sky today but the green light on the solar panel regulator is glowing brightly! I am hoping to get some rest today to make up for a few very long days and a few interrupted nights sleep. It’s time to make another stew as well, I think it will be ham this week. I still have a few potatoes, several onions and a few shallots. I will also spend the next few days getting my head around being in the Indian Ocean.
Photo of Cape Leeuwin lighthouse by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen via Wikimedia Commons
*Cape Leeuwin (“Lioness”), named after a Dutch vessel that charted some of the nearby coastline in 1622.
Course 330 T Speed 6 knots Wind E 15 knots Waves E 2 metres Cloud 100% Temp 16 C Baro 1023 Miles in last 24 hrs: 103 nm Volts 13.74
Well done Glenn on passing Cape Leeuwin. Onto the next Ocean! Keep up the good work. Love Ian & Susan
Congratulations on your progress, Glenn.
I’m a bit concerned that replacing the bindings on the main with shackles might create a bigger long term problem if the shackles produce wear on the sail or the cars. Also slight chance the shackles could bind with the car under extreme circumstances. Both produce longer term problem possibility???
Welcome to the Indian Ocean and congrats at another passing cape under your belt. Keep moving west
Hi Glen. You have inspired me to get back into winter racing
Your courage is inspirational . Keep on fishing … You need the perfect protein… the birds will have to figure it out.
I am with you in spirit… And will do what I can to make your weather better!
Cheers Mike