Monthly Archives: July 2021

Saturday 31 July 2021 Six miles south of Wingan Inlet, East Gippsland It was a grand sight – the eastern-most tip of Victoria. At first, it was just a faint, steely-blue strip along the southwest horizon. A dividing line between the two opposing greys of the sky and sea.   Soon enough, the indistinct line inContinue reading “Land HO !!!”

Friday 30 July 2021  100 Miles North East of Gabo Island WE DESERVE IT !!  That’s the general feeling on board, as the much expected wind finally moved to the north at around 4:00pm, gaining in strength from around 5-10 knots, to what it is now … closer to 20 knots.  When I say …Continue reading “The Wind is Finally Going Our Way”

Thursday 29 July 2021  120 miles east of Montague Island After a long night in the cockpit, managing our response to the weather-change, the day emerged into the sort of weather we thought we’d left behind – wind and waves on the nose and regular stray-waves making their way into the cockpit  This continued forContinue reading “So Close Yet So Far”

Wednesday 28 July 2021  200 miles East of Eden It’s a bit over 200 miles to Eden and Chimere has been making good use of the steady nor wester as she races home to Australia.  Through the night, a flat sea had us doing an effortless 8 knots, a silky ride that was good forContinue reading “Like a Racehorse Heading for Home”

Thursday 29 July 2021, 8.00am For those who are looking for today’s blog, I have just received a note from Rob indicating that the blog has been delayed. They have been a ‘bit busy’ on board sailing with strong winds and SW change, but seas OK. I will replace this blog, when I receive theContinue reading “A Bit Busy Onboard”

Tuesday 27 July 2021 Tasman Sea, 370 miles east of Eden After nearly two days of head-on-winds-and-seas, things are starting to turn our way. We are finally managing to break out of a holding pattern that has seen us essentially go south, then north, then south again, all for barely 100 miles west towards ourContinue reading “Aiming for Straya Once More”

Monday 26th July 2021 Mid Tasman Last night really started mid-afternoon yesterday, when the weather returned with a vengeance … angry and bearing a grudge! We’d been expecting it and our course tracked further south all the while bearing away from the north wester.  Eventually we “could stands it’s no more” … to quote “Popeye theContinue reading “Our Longest Night”

Sunday 25 July 2021 Mid-Tasman Sea Yesterday’s sea seemed angry … vengeful … but maybe that’s getting personal.  Although after repeated waves sweeping through the cockpit, over the top of us and directly at us, it seemed to be very personal.  Certainly very wet! After a long night under a tiny jib and the ever-faithful motor ticking awayContinue reading “Squalls, Sausage Rolls and Sauce”

Saturday 24 July 2021 Mid-Tasman If yesterday was calm, then today… it’s not!  The wind began to build through the night from the North East, and as it did we reduced sail – a second reef in the main, reduced the size of the jib, then wound in the staysail altogether. As the wind built, soContinue reading “It’s Come in a Bit Uncomfortable”

Friday 23 July 2021  370 Miles WSW of Cape Reinga (NZ) The highlight of today – after spying the occasional spouting whale in the distance over the past couple of days – was most definitely the arrival of at least three whales, (which we assume are humpback – but we can’t be totally sure –Continue reading “A Whale Escort”