Monthly Archives: February 2020

At sea between Banks Peninsular and Dunedin Wednesday 19 February 2020 After saying a sad farewell to Dean, Sandy and Samantha this morning – kindly driven to the airport by Matt on his way to work – it was a relaxing time aboard as we awaited John’s arrival in the afternoon. John was kindly beingContinue reading “Moving on – south”

Akaroa Harbour Tuesday 18 February 2020 Another lazy start to the day, with the warm morning sun showing promise of the day ahead. Having said good-bye to a cruise ship yesterday it was now the turn of the Holland America Line’s “Noordam” to drop anchor this morning, with the efficient, tender-boat shuffle, to and fromContinue reading “Special Friends”

Akaroa Harbour Monday 17 February 2020 The day began warm, almost hot, in fact the hottest day we’d experienced so far in New Zealand at around 33 degrees Carsten set the tone early by jumping over the side for a swim, with Dean, Sandy and Samantha doing likewise later in the day, after their 3-hourContinue reading “A Day of Rest”

Akaroa Harbour Sunday 16 February 2020 The big day had arrived – we were going to relocate Chimere from Lyttleton Harbour all the way around the Banks Peninsular to Akaroa Harbour; the site of the popular and ever-quaint village of Akaroa.  Whether it’s the sense of remoteness, the beautiful surroundings, or the early French influenceContinue reading “Not quite a circumnavigation”

Lyttleton Harbour, Te Ana Marina Saturday 15 February 2020 The day began with the mist still hanging around the upper peaks of the surrounding hills; but with the promise of clearing skies sometime through the day.  That said, a rainbow could be seen in the low, grey clouds to our west, as the yellow raysContinue reading “Up, Down & Around”

Lyttleton Harbour, (Te Ana Marina) Friday 14 February 2020 The drizzle that persisted through the night did nothing to disturb our sound sleep, as we lay at anchor in Little Pidgeon Bay.  It was very snug, both outside and inside. We had planned to stop the night in the much larger Pidgeon Bay next door,Continue reading “Homecoming”

Little Pigeon Bay   Thursday 13 February 2020 The day started last night, with our departure from Gooch Bay, 80 miles north at Kaikoura.  It was just as dinner stop over really, with our sights set on making Banks Peninsular before a breezy southerly wind took hold in the afternoon. All started well, with ol’Continue reading “Taking the Good with the Bad”

Kaikoura – Gooch Bay  Wednesday 12 February 2020 Oyster Bay met all the criteria for a top spot to drop the pick … calm, sheltered and very good holding.  Which basically means the anchor stays where you plonk it, along with all the chain and by default, the boat. Before us lay around 80 sea-milesContinue reading “Dolphin Delights”

Oyster Bay  (Lat 41 17S, Lon 174 07E) Tuesday 11 February 2020 Our night at Ship Cove was tranquil and calm, giving us all a wonderful night’s sleep; even our new adventurers Dean, Sandy and Samantha, this being their first night aboard. We were up to see the sunrise, with Dean completing his drone, aerialContinue reading “Cloudy Bay … really is cloudy”

Ship Cove, (Lat 41 05S, Lon 174 14E) Monday 10 February 2020 Dean, Sandy and Samantha came aboard around 8:15am as John, Matt and I were attending to the last-minute departure-tasks.  We were fuelled-up, fooded-up, watered-up and ready to go.  The morning sun was warm, the wind was light and the sky was without clouds. Continue reading “It’s Like We’re in a Brochure”