Author Archives: mikeclarke01

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”

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”