After spending 10 wonderful days at Budibudi (Laughlan) Atoll conditions are finally right for going South. The wind has come up to the ESE and we are heading for Misima Island, app. 95 miles South of here.

At 3:30pm we raised the anchor and motored out of the lagoon, raised the mainsail (with 2 reefs in it) and let out the jib halfway. By 4pm we have shut down the engine and are sailing on a course of 190M. The bearing to Misima is 200M but we want to stay high (upwind) of the course in case it shifts more to the SE overnight. The weather is fine with only about 20% cloud cover. Seas are moderate with a 4-6ft swell from the SE. Wind is 15k from the ESE and we are making about 6.5-6.8k over ground.

By night the wind has increased slightly and we have rolled up the jib a bit more. We are holding our course of 190M. The skies are clear and a quarter moon is giving us good light.