“Spent many hours rowing today. Rowing across the waves all day long is extra-tiring. You swing about wildly but still have to make sure every stroke hits hard and hits home. If you miss a stroke you go straight back a bit in the wrong direction. This is the row I’m going to have to row until pretty much the end of the crossing. There won’t be any more glorious waves at my back. And now it’s started raining and thundering as well. It’s been a long day. I’m tired. I’m going to sleep. See you all tomorrow!”

Comment from the base camp:

Maybe Ralph’s report deserves a short explanation: the wind is fierce and coming from ESE-SE, which isn’t bad in itself, but it’s pushing Ralph too far to the north. If he follows that line he’ll end up heading for the north end of Australia with all the risks that go with it. That’s why Ralph is now rowing slantwise on the waves to hold a course of max. 270 degrees, or preferably a little more southerly than that.

We are now trying to find current charts for this region, as this may enable us to properly advise Ralph on his course and final destination.