Monthly Archives: January 2020

Tasman Sea, (Lat 40 00S, Lon 161 39E), Course 80 degrees (compass) Friday 31 January 2020 Jorge calculated at 5am this morning that we have reached the official half-way point. And now at the end of the day, we have around 570 miles left to travel to reach Picton. That’s four days at an averageContinue reading “Half Way – Yeh!”

Tasman Sea, (Lat 40 05S, Lon 158 35E), Course 80 degrees (compass) Thursday 30 January 2020 If ever there was a dream run to New Zealand, this is it. The wind has remained 15 knots from the North West. We are heading East. And with the full main and big genoa hoisted, we have beenContinue reading “The Dream Run Continues”

Tasman Sea, (Lat 40 03S, Lon 155 27E), Course 80 degrees (compass) Wednesday 29 January 2020 The sun went down, the sun came up … just as we’d expected. Likewise, the wind died down as forecast, till it was reluctantly necessary through the night to turn on the motor in order to maintain an averageContinue reading “Sailing in Slippers”

Western Tasman Sea, (Lat 39 43S, Lon 152 16E), Course 98 degrees (compass) Tuesday 28 January 2020 Today was truly a dream sailing day. A 20-knot breeze off the starboard, stern quarter. A calm sea with minimal swell. Plus, a full main and poled-out jib off the port side, set solid as if in concrete.Continue reading “Yee Ha … 9,10,11 knots !”

North of Flinders Island (20 miles), Lat 39 45S Lon 148 20E Monday 27 January 2020 Our overnight stopover at Deal Island was just the thing; a time of rest and preparation. Plus, an opportunity to again soak in a most beautiful part of the world; due to its isolation, a place where very fewContinue reading “On Our Way … (for real)”

East Cove, Deal Island Sunday 26 January 2020 (Australia Day) Australia Day dawned with the good ship Chimere rounding Wilson’s Prom lighthouse, the crew of six having shared three-hour watches through the night. And what a beautiful night it was. What the sky lacked by way of a moon, it more than made up forContinue reading “First Night & Day at Sea”

Bass Strait Saturday 25 January 2020 It was calm, the sea was still and like a mirror reflecting the orange glow of the morning’sun. The big day had finally arrived. Border Force customs officials would be arriving at 11:30 … in just a few hours … to handle the formalities and issue us with ourContinue reading “The Big Day Has Arrived”

Western Port Marina Friday 24 January 2020 Tomorrow we plan to set sail for New Zealand.  Yesterday the boat looked like a construction site.  And today, with six of us – the full crew – aboard we are frantically tackling the urgent and important remaining tasks. Only three days ago, Chimere was returned to the water afterContinue reading “Remaining tasks to complete”

Western Port MarinaThursday 23 January 2020 Sounds like an offer too good to be true doesn’t it?! Step aboard and sail away across the South Pacific … albeit the more southerly reaches of the South Pacific.But whilst a few friends and family were signing up for the “Bay of Island” leg of the upcoming NZContinue reading “Sail away with me …”

Wednesday 22 January 2020 Western Port Marina NZ2020 – In the wake of Captain Cook … is billed as … “… a 113-day New Zealand voyage aboard the good ship Chimere, conducted in multiple stages between Saturday 25 January and Saturday 16 May 2020* * Terms and Conditions apply, see store for details. In summary,Continue reading “Where are we going …?”