Mother Rules

July 16 0800(L)/1600(Z); 4918N/13803W
It has been a couple days of slow going, but sufficient wind to keep sailing. That changed this morning as I came on shift to find glassy water not unlike the day we went swimming. No such alternative to pass the time today as the water temperature is 51 degrees and the air temperature is about the same with dense
fog. Checking the weather faxes that we get via HF radio confirmed that Mother Nature had sent the center of the high pressure in our direction. We are just 526NM from the Straits and a little over 300NM to Moresby Island to our NE. Compared to where we have come from, it seems so close. Yet we sit bobbing like a cork, rocking side to side with the sails down knowing that Mother Nature is in charge. We will motor today to pass the time and hope to find wind. We do not have enough fuel to motor all the way so Mother Nature still has a vote on the pace of our progress.1606(L): We have motored 50NM since 0900 this morning.The fishing lines are out but no bites yet. I read some on the bow and then tucked a pillow under my head and fell asleep for a few hours. At the bow, the engine purrs. In he cockpit it speaks with authority. In the cabin it roars. The ear plugs I use for sleeping now have a dual use. Within minutes of waking I spotted a whale off in the distance. I hollered to the crew and we all got to see him spout numerous times before flashing his tail for a deep dive. We saw more dolphins this morning as well. This is part of the beauty of the calm seas. It allows us to see more marine life.