Current Position: 12 05.569’S 97 52.904’E; Local Timezone: UTC+6.5; SOG: 0 kt; COG: N/A; TWS: ? kt; TWD: ?; Distance to Waypoint (Cocos): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 11577 nm; Engine Hours: 248; Estimate Fuel: 60+11+50;
Comments: Coming into the anchorage yesterday, I once again had difficulties putting the transmission into reverse. When I shift, the engine gets bogged down and the prop won’t flip. I will dive on it again and see if there is any growth preventing its proper operation. As I was washing the dishes on the dive platform, I saw dark objects moving in the dark water at twilight. There are big fish there. The higher wind arrived last night with some light rain as expected. It is going to be blowing in the 20s all week … initially with gusts approaching 30. Sunrise was at 5:55. It is blowing hard with some waves of driven rain. By 9:00 the skies had become partly cloudy, but it was still blowing in the mid-20s and there were whitecaps on the waves in the lagoon. It looks to me that the only relatively calm day (16-20) will be Sunday. I figure I need to unfurl and repair the sail before then so it is ready to hoist Sunday. My punch list is pretty short this stop. Besides the sail and a few other minor sewing jobs, the list can be summarized mostly as organizational. I have to break into the food in “hidden” spaces, which is going to require a lot of moving stuff around. In addition, I need to do a thorough job of inspecting (chafing, loose hardware, etc.). I really would like to go up the mast, but that just isn’t happening at this anchorage this week. The Australian Police Force (APF) came about noon and I completed the formalities (and took down the Q flag). I need to visit Home Island tomorrow (the only day a ferry goes there) to pay my port fees. That will also be my only chance to get fresh water (so I will transfer water and fill the main tank today). At 13:00 I launched the dinghy (no small feat in these winds) and went to explore Direction Island. I want e to make sure I understood the dock so I would know for example if I could bring my cart with me to the ferry in the morning. After a visit to the island, I am all set for tomorrow. After discussing the matter with several other sailors, I have decided to sail to Rodriguez from here, rather than the Mauritius. Rodriguez is part of the Mauritius island group, but smaller, less expensive, cleaner, and safer than Mauritius. Since I learned that I could not get into Reunion, I have been somewhat dreading the idea of going to Mauritius. Rodriguez sounds like it has some interesting things to see, including a natural reserve for the Domed Rodrigues Giant Tortoise. They apparently follow you around to have their heads scratched.
Comments: Coming into the anchorage yesterday, I once again had difficulties putting the transmission into reverse. When I shift, the engine gets bogged down and the prop won’t flip. I will dive on it again and see if there is any growth preventing its proper operation. As I was washing the dishes on the dive platform, I saw dark objects moving in the dark water at twilight. There are big fish there. The higher wind arrived last night with some light rain as expected. It is going to be blowing in the 20s all week … initially with gusts approaching 30. Sunrise was at 5:55. It is blowing hard with some waves of driven rain. By 9:00 the skies had become partly cloudy, but it was still blowing in the mid-20s and there were whitecaps on the waves in the lagoon. It looks to me that the only relatively calm day (16-20) will be Sunday. I figure I need to unfurl and repair the sail before then so it is ready to hoist Sunday. My punch list is pretty short this stop. Besides the sail and a few other minor sewing jobs, the list can be summarized mostly as organizational. I have to break into the food in “hidden” spaces, which is going to require a lot of moving stuff around. In addition, I need to do a thorough job of inspecting (chafing, loose hardware, etc.). I really would like to go up the mast, but that just isn’t happening at this anchorage this week. The Australian Police Force (APF) came about noon and I completed the formalities (and took down the Q flag). I need to visit Home Island tomorrow (the only day a ferry goes there) to pay my port fees. That will also be my only chance to get fresh water (so I will transfer water and fill the main tank today). At 13:00 I launched the dinghy (no small feat in these winds) and went to explore Direction Island. I want e to make sure I understood the dock so I would know for example if I could bring my cart with me to the ferry in the morning. After a visit to the island, I am all set for tomorrow. After discussing the matter with several other sailors, I have decided to sail to Rodriguez from here, rather than the Mauritius. Rodriguez is part of the Mauritius island group, but smaller, less expensive, cleaner, and safer than Mauritius. Since I learned that I could not get into Reunion, I have been somewhat dreading the idea of going to Mauritius. Rodriguez sounds like it has some interesting things to see, including a natural reserve for the Domed Rodrigues Giant Tortoise. They apparently follow you around to have their heads scratched.