20 deg 49' S, 149 deg 47' E -- Race 6, Day 8 (evening)

So we're in eighth again. Or maybe still. It's possible we were never
actually in fifth. Very hard to tell from where we are. We get periodic
scheds in showing position for the fleet, but we don't have the nice
visualisation of the Race Viewer. And we're kept pretty busy just sailing
the yacht, so sometimes information gets passed along with some inevitable
miscommunication along the way.

We're about ten hours from Airlie Beach, likely to be arriving around 4am.
Not ideal time for a beer, but we'll manage. Actually getting in well in
advance of the expected window, thanks to some great sailing winds, and
looking forward to making the most of the time there.

We are inside the Great Barrier Reef now. Turns out, you can just go around
it! Makes me ask, what's so great about the Barrier Reef? And, on that
note, what's so fine about art? (For any of you who don't get the
reference, and unless you're Steve or Maggie -- Hi guys! -- you probably
don't, youtube "Barrier Reef Old 97s". Thank me later.)

Back to those winds. It really has been great sailing the last couple of
days and really most of the last week. We've been fairly downwind, but not
dead downwind, which would be slower. The seas have been pretty reasonable
for the most part. The sun has been great on deck for a California boy like
me, if a bit much for the English and Canadians amongst us. We've stayed
offshore, so we haven't had great scenery, but it's been shorts and T-
shirts (and lots of sunscreen) on deck. It's been consistent winds of 15-20
knots, so sailing has been pretty easy, with few sail changes. We've been
relatively flat for the most part, so life down below is a lot less
difficult than it had been before, apart from the heat. Not quite champagne
sailing, but still really, really pleasant. I'm really hoping for some more
like this as we head up into Asia, before we round Taiwan, where things are
sure to get tough again.

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One quick other note. A few people have talked about coming to Seattle for
my arrival. It would be awesome to have friends to welcome me in, and I
have a few friends in Seattle whom I hope to enlist in coordinating some
sort of party (which may just consist of booking, or even recommending, a
bar). The thing is, arrival is very hard to predict. We have an estimated
arrival window of 15-20 April, but so far this boat has only made the
estimated window in two of six races, been earlier twice (including this
one!) and later twice. I also may have boat obligations (cleaning,
maintenance, corporate events, etc.) up to 23 April, but something that
weekend might be the best bet. Or between 24-27 April, when I'll be free
but the boat should still be around if you'd like to see it. Then race
start on 28 April should be a good event. Unfortunately, that's all mid-
week.

Those are the parameters. Let me know if any of that sounds of interest,
and we'll coordinate over the next couple of stops in port.