Restart Update
Dear Subscriber
Hitting send before my fingers freeze!
- All the best, Jono
Here's the recent log entry...
Restart Update
We are are useful chunk (70 nm, 130 km) further south than a a week ago! The Sea of Japan was calm for a few days, which allowed for stress free passage past some industrial zones and the city port of Niigata.
The protective "moles" require sailing at least a mile offshore. The outer parts are typically concrete wall that reflect the waves and swells without dissipating their energy. The sea state in the vicinity of these structures is always disturbed, meanwhile closer to shore is heavily reinforced by concrete tetrapods. I am always grateful for a free pass to tick off these obstacles.
Thankfully, Niigata prefecture (region) also has lots of sandy beaches. The water state is much more comfortable when sailing past beach because the waves dump all their energy in the surf zone.
Between the sandy stretches are rocky or mountainous sections. The sea state off these occupies a middle ground of discomfort.
The wind direction has been variable these days. I have enjoyed some tailwinds (good miles) and at other times zigzagged upwind for meagre reward. A light headwind really is the worst of all worlds: far better to have zero wind and make progress with the paddle than to sail a "compressed zigzag" course.
High ground and onshore winds are also an unhappy mix. Despite there being a stiff breeze several miles out - evidenced by an agitated sea state reaching shore - near to land the air is "still as a winter's morning". This is a common scenario.
On the last leg, for example, I sailed from coastal low ground and enjoyed sailing at 8 knots with good pull in the sail, but then found high ground where the wind died to nothing. Eventually I gave up holding the limp sail and prone paddled to the nearest port. Some dolphins were leaping in the vicinity, and a few of them made a detour to say hello which remedied the discomfort.
Yesterday (another day of onshore waves and no wind) we took a day off. Today is also chilly and grey Hopefully, the swell will drop away and a tailwind will arrive later.
On my birthday a few days back I heard a Uguisu Bird (Japanese Bush Warbler), which is supposed to mark the beginning of spring. It might have been a few days early.
Some of Yumiko's pictures from recent days below.
Small waves make beach landings an option. Also, Yumiko supporting makes getting food much easier from wherever I end up.
Even small waves can be awkward to launch through if the wind isn't there.
Mirror flat. Easy miles, escaping the current, inside a dashed line of tetrapod defences.
Niigata (Nagano) mountains still in winter dress. That dark band that looks like a wind line is actually a port wall protecting a nuclear power station.
Official documenter Yumiko. It's much more fun as a team.
Taking advantage of some easy stopping. When it is this flat and windless, paddling is a joy.
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