We don't see how we can sail around the huge high wich stay on our direct track to Raivavae, the only way except waiting for days n days, tacking in 25+k with the risk of another dep coming from the north, is to sail south to find the pushing winds as may be we should have done when leaving Whangarei.

   The south migration start very slowly n we have to alternate code 0 n engine to keep Alcyone enough stability (preserving sails)  in a very long south swell. Below the 35 south, we see more n more albatros n shearwaters, these pelagic birds follow a time ALCYONE n offer a non stop "slope rising" lesson to us : beside Albatros, smaller shearwaters, much more agils are very fast  to play with the smallest wave pump without touching the water; they are able to fly 40 000km a year...thee species can live live more than 50 years; On calm day, none of these birds are around:  they float on the surface because they really need the power of the wind n the waves to soar we could see also some petrel also, more inquisitives...but except small delphins we don't find other life  than these birds: no whale n no fish on our trolling line. (we fished only 1 day/3..) 

   Even in the forties (we went up to the 42 degrees), the swell is reasonnable n the wind moderate, the gatronomic trip continue as Jordan appreciate the french food n know also how to cook, all fine but ALCYONE progression is the one of a turtle...we have time and are reluctant to use the engine as the trip is long n we don't want refuel in Polynesia...
  The forties were not roaring as expected but scattered with powerfull squalls bringing wind up to 30k; no problem during the day, but anoying during the night; who want to spend 10mn to dress up to reduce the sail under the rain in this heavy n cold air ?  The best solution was to take the 3rd reef for the night...n sleep each one during the other's shift, not the best way to accelarate !


Albatros and shearwaters offer a permanent presence around us when wind and waves give enough power to soar




Albatros lock his wings n soar without flaping up to 1000 km...conditions apply  







Wind was mostly weak but friendly for us in the forties,  just not regular from 10 to 20k and up to 30 under a squall...
   









Always 2 or 3 squalls around, the air is heavy n cold here, very dissuasive for night reefing party


Unnexpected call on 16 here...a very nice n pro officer from this cargo ship
"The British century",  very surprised to see our tricolor light here.
Some small dolphins a few times around but no Whale...and no fish on our line...but how many time we used it ?

No big swell, no surfs but squalls in the forties for us