All's well aboard

How many times have I heard the above phrase on the Namba.net over the cruising season? It's shorthand for, "don't worry about us". There are things you might not want to know, but the important thing is, we're ok.
Alex and I are preparing for our third night at sea. So far, so good. Our first afternoon out of Noumea was boisterous (another euphemism for very very windy with big seas), but the Big High moved off NZ during that night and by morning we were off the hook. The seas were still lumpy, but yesterday was great sailing. Early this morning the wind died, and since then we've been motor sailing. If that sounds like a cop out, believe us, we're loving it. We've had the sails up, and as the sea has flattened out, we've been making great speeds. In the first 48 hours we covered 300 nautical miles, and on Friday evening we're ahead of schedule.
However, we're heading south as fast as we can because there's another Monster High moving towards the NSW coast. While we know we can't avoid it, we'd like to spend as few days battling with big winds and big seas as possible. The probability is that the wind will wind up in a few hours and be honking by midnight. It's predicted to keep honking.
I've been cooking up my own storm in the galley today. I don't plan on cooking much between now and our first meal in the safety of a harbour on the Australian coast. Tonight we ate royally - chicken breast cooked with veges in the oven, baked potatoes and green beans. You could see the different items in the bowl. Luxury. From tomorrow, it will be vege stew. Only I know what's in it!
We've both had good sleeps today. I've read John Banville's The Infinities in the past 36 hours. We've had showers on the back deck, and made a pot of coffee to wash down the plum tart I bought from La Vieille France bakery in Noumea. When weather permits, you can have really get into holiday mode in the middle of the deep blue ocean! So, clean, well-rested and well-fed, we are as ready as we can be for what's forecast to hit us. Alex has checked the rigging, we've got the grab bag in order, and all the other things you do when you know you've got some tough conditions ahead. We hope to make a landing at Coffs Harbour by Tuesday morning.

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