Becalmed

Date 8 Jan 2015 Time 2100 NZDST Position 40 37'S 170 46'E Dist to Nelson 150nm Wind South less than 5kn

We're on the slow boat to Nelson. I think the maximum wind speed all day has been 5 knots but mainly around 2 knots which has meant we've been motoring most of the day. However we did set up the Code O sail which is meant for very light conditions and it was nice and peaceful for a while but because we have the sea kayaks on the outside of the rail at the stern one of us needed to baby sit the sail as the sheet would keep getting caught on the kayak. But the wind was very fluky anyway and the sail didn't always fill. The topside of not much wind meant we could have a shower. It felt wonderful. We were also able to open the ports and hatches and let some fresh air blow through the cabin. We have had some highlights in the wildlife department today with a pod of about 30 dolphins swimming alongside the boat for quite a while. As the water is so clear we could distinctly see all the markings, colours and scratches on their bodies as they swept around the boat. They were awesome to watch. The bird life is also increasing. We had a juvenile wandering albatross do a few loops of the boat to check us out. Most of the albatrosses we have seen have been the shy albatross. So the sight of land is still beyond the horizon at present. Perhaps tomorrow sometime but I believe the wind forecast for tomorrow is similar to what we've experienced today. All is clean and fresh on board Ambler.

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