Departed Port Louis at 13.30 today after clearing customs. After clearing the harbour I turned south. Wind from the north at 18 knots. Main set with one reef. Headsail set.

17.00 wind at 8 knots, still from the north. Will sail direct to Cape Town. About 20 days, maybe 21. Heavy weather south of Madagascar   … winds more than 40knots at the moment but should be cleared by the time I get there. I’ve got a car tyre on board so if I hit heavy weather I’ll just tie a line on it, throw it over and drag it with just a snippet of sail up. If necessary I’ll turn around and run with it until it blows itself out.

24nm south of Port Louis. Just passing the highest peak on the south of Mauritius on my left. It’s called Le Morne Brabant. An important memorial remembering many people who escaped slavery. Tragic story of slaves hiding on the mountain who jumped to their deaths when they saw soldiers coming up the mountain. The soldiers were coming to tell the slaves they were now free.

regards

jon