A SOLOMON STILL LIFE

Thursday 6 May, 0700 hours Aust EST

A painted ship on a painted ocean. I have never seen an ocean this calm.
Looks so smooth. We have been becalmed most of yesterday and last night.
It's like having a day off! There is not much we can do but wait. Without
the breeze, the heat and humidity are incredible.

The Solomon Sea is proving to be very challenging. On Tuesday we went from
no wind to the storm jib and two reefs within minutes. Some clouds bring
wind, many bring rain, and we have found ourselves sourrounded by
thunderstorms. There are also some interesting obstacles to watch out for.
Sayernara, the lead boat, reported seeing a steel mooring buoy adrift with a
tree attached. Earlier this morning we drifted past a log with a crab on
top.

We have been at sea for 2 1/2 weeks now, and settled into the routine of
short periods of sleep. One off-watch I dreamt that some more crew arrived.
I was very disappointed when they didn't actually show up on my watch to
lend a hand...

Teresa

ARGOS data as at 4 May, 2253 UTC, show Montane's position as 08 08S, 155
07E, having dropped to 4th place in her class and 9th overall.