Simple Update

I have many topics that I want to put up here, but right now, with the weather so nice all day, I don't want to sit inside and type on the computer. Instead I sit outside with Cynthia, talking, laughing, playing the guitar (it's nice enough now to take it outside), and soaking up the sun. She says she has some topics to post as well, and will put one up tomorrow.

Today was a perfect day onboard. The wind decreased to a fast but comfortable level, in the right direction, the seas are flatter, and it was warm and sunny. What more could we ask for? Nemo also sensed it, and spent the day sleeping on his back with his legs in the air.

We did have one incident today that I'll put in here. We nearly lost our anemometer (the wind instrument at the top of the mast) today. As we were outside chatting I happened to notice a large frigate bird, wingspan at least three feet, hovering near the top of the mast. He was probably getting some updrafts off the sail, and he was soaring so effortlessly he looked like he was resting. All at once the boat shifted and the mast swung straight toward him. It came so fast it startled him and he immediately veered off, putting his feet out to push off if it was going to hit him. From deck level it looked like he hit the anemometer, but it still works so he must have just missed it. While not critical, it is really useful to have so I'm glad it's still working.

Our current position, as of 6:15pm local time, was 06deg 02.9S, 148deg 21.3W. Wind was ESE at 9-12kts, seas 2-3ft. Our speed over ground was 5kts on a course of 020T.