Monthly Archives: July 2021

Thursday 22 July 2021  As if to make up for yesterday’s grey, overcast performance, today, the Good Lord blessed us with a glorious sunrise off the stern and almost constant sunshine all day. It was accompanied by a wind shift to the south west, causing us to dip our course to the south for aContinue reading “Sunshine and Sea Views”

Wednesday 21 July 2021 200 Miles west of Cape Reinga It seems hard to believe we are two days down and going into our third night On the UP-side, we have had the wind mostly going our way and the seas, whilst in the 3-4 metre range are not on the bow, but more fromContinue reading “Ups and Downs”

Tuesday 20 July 2021 25 miles north of The Three Kings Islands The official proceedings yesterday at the NZ Customs Office in Opua were friendly, yet professional. We each presented our passports, filled out our respective departure forms, there was the “Vessel Master’s” declaration and the Ship’s Registration document to sight, along with the yellowContinue reading “A Dream Start”

Monday 19 July 2021 The day started with a glorious sunrise and after clearing customs around 10:30, we had one last coffee at the cafe and went aboard.  Oh, only after paying my last invoice at the Marina office, it was then a case of backing out of our berth for the last time andContinue reading “Finally Underway”

Sunday 18 July 2021 GOOD NEWS!!! … We have our much-anticipated Quarantine Exemption from the Victorian Health Department … with the following email being received today … Dear Rob, I just wanted to let you know that the Deputy CHO has approved the exemptions for you and your three crew – subject of course toContinue reading “We Sail Tomorrow!”

Saturday 17 July 2021 Today’s constant wind and rain had us fully kitted up in our wet weather gear for our tiki-tour of Russell.  As expected the Happy Boat from Paihia was cancelled due to the rough conditions, but to the rescue came a tour bus, which left Paihia at the same time as theContinue reading “Time to Play Tourists”

Friday 16 July 2021 It’s a little off-topic – in regards to a sailing adventure that is – but today was a very special day.  It marks the day on which James, WAS to have had his PhD graduation ceremony at the Australian National University (ANU).  Flowing robes, floppy cap, tassels, portrait photos and stand-up-finger-foodContinue reading “Making Good Use of our Time”

Thursday 15 July 2021 After getting to bed close to 3am for the last few nights, this morning was a serious sleep-in, with few signs of life onboard till after 10:00am.    The weather was once again stable and sunny, and even warm for a few hours in the middle of the day, but itContinue reading “Still Treading Water”

Wednesday 14 July 2021 We remain in limbo-land, with tomorrow morning’s New Zealand Customs appointment – to clear us out of the country and wave us on our way –  being cancelled, by me. Perhaps it was optimism, perhaps it was wishful thinking, perhaps … perhaps … At the moment, everything hangs on us obtainingContinue reading “Waiting for Quarantine Exemption”

Bay Of Islands Marina, Opua, North Island Tuesday 13 July 2021 After yesterday’s squally, wet performance, today dawned reasonably fine, with patches of blue and the promise of sun.  The presence of two new crew, Matt and Sam, and the fact that Harm would be arriving later today – completing our gang of four –Continue reading “A Brief Mountaintop Experience”