Monthly Archives: February 2020

Bluff (Ferry Wharf) Saturday 29 February 2020 After a blowy night, with on-and-off showers, we awoke to a cold-wet landscape, but with the sun fighting to penetrate the morning clouds. This would be Carsten’s final breakfast.  Not in a “real-final” sense; we were still; great friends.  It’s just that Carsten’s twelve fortuitous days aboard hadContinue reading “Family Fun Times Begin”

Bluff (Ferry Wharf) Friday 28 February 2020 The wind rapidly died off through the night, making for extremely still conditions; the main reason for us all sleeping in – we agreed. Outside it was very sunny, showing early signs of the warm day ahead.  Gazing out of the window through foggy glass and blurry eyes,Continue reading “Bluff Without the Bluster”

Faith, Hope & Charity Islands (Paterson Inlet) Thursday 27 February 2020 After enjoying a beautifully still night, the wind picked up during the early hours of the morning, with gusts of up to 42 knots recorded around lunchtime in our small sheltered bay.  Winds were much stronger offshore, however, reaching more than 55 knots –Continue reading “Good-bye Stewart”

Port Adventure, (Kaka Point, Heron River) Stewart Island Wednesday 26 February 2020 Despite getting up bright and early, it wasn’t until around 9:45am that we finally up-anchored and headed away from our delightful anchorage at Crayfish Island, Paterson Inlet. With no wind and oily-flat seas we made good time under motor, our destination being SOUTHContinue reading “Crossing The 47th (South) Parallel”

Crayfish Island (Paterson Inlet), Stewart Island Tuesday 25 February 2020 There was clearly still a sleep-deficit onboard with the calm anchorage at Oban leading to a late start for all. The weather was expected to remain still for the next couple of days and so this was a time to plan some serious Stewart IslandContinue reading “Breaking the Fish Drought”

Oban, (Bragg Bay) Stewart Island Monday 24 February 2020 After a day and a half at Bluff, we were ready to get moving again.  Not that we didn’t enjoy the simple charm and hospitality of this wee town, tied up as we were, just a short stroll across the road from all the local amenities. Continue reading “South to Stewart”

Bluff Ferry Wharf Sunday 23 February 2020 It was an understandably late start to the morning, with the saloon and cockpit still strewn with items from the day before’s bumpy ride.  Rugs, cushions, books, hand tools, plates, and the occasional stray piece of wet weather gear, all were still where they were thrown, or fell,Continue reading “There’s Something (very special) about Mary”

Stewart Island Ferry Wharf – Bluff Saturday 22 February 2020 The day began at 2:00am.  The time we had planned to rise, up-anchor and head away down the coast to our final destination of Stewart Island around 60 miles to our south. Well, we all got out of bed as agreed, but after analysing theContinue reading “Zig Zag – Every Tack Tells a Story”

Tautuku Peninsular – North Side Friday 21 February 2020 As our second night at sea approached, engine-assistance to maintain our speed had definitely come to an end, with the strengthening nor-east wind from behind causing us to shorten sail … once, twice, three times over the course of the afternoon … and still our speedContinue reading “Whoa back, slow down girl!”

10 miles off Dunedin Thursday 20 February 2020 A short time after John came aboard yesterday afternoon, we were away to sea again.  But not before waving to wife Maryke and daughter Felicity, who made an “immigrant farewell” scene, waving handkerchiefs and iPhones from the end of the Akaroa pier, as we did a drive-byContinue reading “Rush to Beat the Gale”