Position 40 35.17 S 84 27.69E Two days ago our southward arc to find the best winds reached it's nadir at 41 degrees and 21 minutes South. We are now arcing back up to Fremantle's latitude.
In just that much time one can tell the difference. Last night was the first night I wore fewer layers (six top, three bottom) than the night before (seven top, three bottom). Two nights ago I even considered a fourth layer on my legs but instead just stood up and did knee bends to keep them warm. Today, though it's still entirely wet (waves crashing over the full length of the boat at random intervals), I can feel the return of warmer climes.
Our Southern Ocean experience (so far at least) was probably tame by most standards. High winds? Yes. Rough seas? Not really. Huge trains of massive swells that could hide oil tankers? On the Brazil-Africa leg at 36 degrees south just before we reached Africa, yes, but here? Nope. Last year one boat reached 28 kts. surfing down such a wave while under a spinnaker but the biggest number we ever saw on the instruments was 13 kts. while on a beam reach (apparent wind at an angle of 90 degrees) in 25 kts. of wind. Fun...but not what some of us had hoped for.
I shouldn't be too hasty, though. Even though all weather forecasts predict we'll finish this leg in fair comfort, we could of course be surprised (and delighted).
