Day Four, Noumea to Cairns

We remember now why we like downwind passages so much. Marcy is romping along with a warm 20 knot tradewind blowing over the starboard quarter and is reeling off the miles. We should reach the halfway point tonight. The windvane is doing all the steering work, and all we have to do is enjoy the ride. Oh, yes, and navigate. This part of the Coral Sea is full of outcroppings that we must not accidentally encounter. The bird life is fantastic, maybe because of these little islands. Last night on Ginger's
watch a booby grabbed onto the top of the headstay and hung on for hours, despite the small perch and motion. We haven't seen so many birds at sea since Mexico.