SHTP Update Jul 10

(notes by Nathan from phone call)

From yesterday the 9th: She had a bird or two following her for an
extended period. Nice to see.

From today's report, about the period from mid day yesterday to this
morning Pacific time:

She's getting to the tropical weather and wildlife: lots of squalls and a
few dead fish (squid, flying fish, and a few regular fish) hopping up on
deck.

The wind and waves have been changing a lot over the past day. There have
been windshifts up to 50 degrees at a time and the waves have been
confused, preventing extended surfing.

There have been some weather systems rolling by (both normal squalls and
larger cells which last for a few hours) but very little accompanying
rain.

It's also been quite chilly at times.

So yesterday was very frustrating for her, as she wasn't able to get much
extended sleep and was doing a lot of sail adjustments for apparently not
much gain. However, she still had a great day in terms of progress
towards Hawaii and passed Libra (the Mini 6.5) as well as gaining a few
places in the overall standings.

Nat made a point of noting for the record that she was talking to the
clouds but not hurting them.

Because the weather was strange, she hasn't flown the kite since
yesterday. Instead, she's been using either twin headsails or a blast
reacher- sometimes not even poled out because of the big wind shifts.

She's starting to have a few effects of sleep disruption such as a lack of
hunger even though she's been working hard and knows that she needs to
eat.

A little gasoline leaked down below, probably from the engine. It wasn't
too much, but there's a bit of an odor right now so she won't be cooking
until it clears.

Her progress yesterday is such as to expect her sooner than Bastille Day.

Boat for boat, Galaxsea is a little off of her port bow and about 50 miles
ahead so if she steps on it she might be able to catch him. The first
part of the race was to his advantage (heavy air tight reach, in which
mass and waterline count for a lot) but now the game has changed and the
lightweight boats can really get moving downwind.

Out front, the PJ 50, Archimedes the other E27, and Bandicoot the Wylie 30
(cat rig) are fighting for line honors with Frolic the Islander 36 close
on their heels.

Nat hasn't been using email but has been taking some pictures she'll be
able to post once she arrives.