It's all done. I didn't get away yesterday, because ... OK, because I stuffed up. I had everything done by about 7 PM, except filling the water and fuel tanks. Then it occured to me ... the fuel docks aren't open after 5 o'clock. Crap.
Stayed overnight. Woke up bright and early. No wind. Not a scrap. Nada. It's now just after mid-day, and I've been doing some time-filling jobs, sending emails, final shop. Now I'm having lunch, and just checked the weather forecast. All looks good. And a 10 knot breeze has come in.
Time to go.
I'll be sending position reports and very brief messages via satellite phone to my brother, and I've asked him to collate them into a weekly post and put them up here. The message system only allows me something like 75 characters (about half a normal SMS) so don't expect any essays.
If you want to message me for free, go to the Inmarsat web site and click on the "send a free message" box over on the right. Then enter my satellite phone number: 87077 6396678
I will try to have the phone on and linked up at midday (Eastern Australia time) for half an hour every second day, (when I send the position reports). So if you feel a need to burn a very large wad of money, feel free to ring that number. It is hugely expensive. You have been warned.
At this stage I'm planning on heading towards the Marquesas (195 deg from here) until I get to the South Equatorial current. If all is going well, I'll turn right (due west) and take a lift on the current without going into the Marquesas. The current takes me close to several ports, and if I need to, I'll divert to one of them. If all goes well, I'll just keep moving until I get to Townsville, somewhere between 70 and 90 days from now.
Well that's about it, boys and girls.
My huge thanks to David Q, Peter Stader (Joss), and Gene and Pattie (Swell Dish) for more than help than I can list here. You guys are special.
Byeeee!
... GO!
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