Into New Territory
March 29, 2019
Day 176
Noon Position: 44 28S 44 42W
Course(t)/Speed(kts): NExE 6+
Wind(t/tws): NWxW 15
Sea(t/ft): NW 5
Sky: Altostratus and altocumulus; front coming in from S
10ths Cloud Cover: 7
Bar(mb): 1023, steady
Cabin Temp(f): 64
Water Temp(f): 54
Relative Humidity(%): 82
Sail: Working jib and main, close reaching on port
Noon-to-Noon Miles Made Good (nm): 145
Miles since departure: 24,092
Avg. Miles/Day: 137
Leg North Days: 9
Leg North Miles: 1,143
Avg. Miles/Day: 127
A mash-up of dark clouds to windward and a fresh breeze this morning made me run through my heavy weather checklist before breakfast. But by noon we had clear skies and a beautiful 15 knots just forward of the beam and on which Mo pushes happily along.
The sea is not blue but green again. No, not the muddy greens and browns of bays but a clear, sparkling, emerald green. This is common near coasts, but we are nearly a thousand miles east of Argentina.
Today around noon we left behind our course from the first Cape Horn rounding–our course out to the east and around Antarctica. Now the next leg really begins, the push north into the Atlantic, virgin territory for me.
This turn north, the warmer weather and smaller sea allow thoughts to roam over the next big challenge–The Arctic–and accordingly, today, I brought down the RCC Pilotage Foundation Guide to the Arctic and Northern Waters. Time to become reacquainted with that route. 
Very exciting
Randall and MO and Monty! Oh how a sparkling sea, clear sky, and warmer temperatures, and lovely close reaching in a well found vessel, makes the heart soar like an albatross!!!!!
Once again you educate and entertain. I learned of the RCC Pilotage Foundation, went directly to Wikipedia and further and I am wiser, better educated and greatly entertained in less than one hour today. Thank you. Just listened to your interview on the Out the Gate podcast with Ben Shaw. If any of you virtual voyagers have not heard it it’s a wonderful podcast. Go north young man, go north
Go,go,go! Gvietz.
Kurt, I am so glad to hear you enjoyed the interview with Randall on the Out The Gate Sailing podcast. I would love to hear what other followers of the Figure 8 voyage think. Maybe now that Randall has a little less weather and perhaps a little more time on his hands he’d like to talk again… hint, hint, hint…
Randall, excited to follow you on this next chapter of the journey!
Ben
I did not know about your podcast! Listed to Randall’s interview and subscribed to the podcast. I loved the excitement in your voice!