Yesterday at this time we were sitting, rolling, waiting for wind. In fact, at this time yesterday, we still had almost 18 hours more to wait!

But about 2 this afternoon things vastly improved, and they have stayed good.

A steady wind of 8 to 10 knots and calm seas has the boat moving at 5 to 6 knots. It is quiet except for the water rushing by. The moon has risen, in a clear sky, and I have just started my 11 to 3 watch. No traffic around to worry about. A cup of warm tea. A book to read. All is good!

Late this afternoon we were visited by a brown booby bird determined to find a perch for the night. He made pass after pass trying to land in the rigging. Several times he crashed into lines and tumbled down into the water. Finally he landed on the mainmast spreaders.

Not wanting to cleanup booby poop, i wiggled a line in front of his face. No good. Finally, I had to literally push him off the spreader with the line. He circled around and landed in the same place again. Again I pushed him off. Again he comes around and lands on the mizzen spreader. Persistent bugger. He gets pushed off from there. This time he lands on top of the mizzen mast. There is no way I can physically push him off there, and he just won’t scare. Sigh. Guess we have a passenger. Karen has suggested we get a BB gun…