Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lake Cove, Chalky Sound, Fiordland  Saturday 7 March 2020  It was a particularly lazy start to the day, knowing we’d be here all day and for a second night, with no particular place to go, but maybe ashore in the dinghy briefly to explore the local waterfall and lake.  This we did around 11:15am, motoringContinue reading “A Day of Rest”

Lake Cove, Chalky Sound, Fiordland Friday 6 March 2020  CAPTAIN COOK, Second Voyage, 25 Match 1773: After sailing 117 days without sight of land, covering thousands of miles across the Southern Ocean, as far south as 60 degrees south, Captain James Cook made landfall at Chalky Inlet, which he mistook for Dusky Sound (just aContinue reading “Cook’s Legacy for Us All”

Cascade Basin, Long Sound, Fiordland  Thursday 5 March 2020  Despite the constant, but diminishing, swell that entered Otago’s Retreat, our anchorage, close to the entrance, worked out to be a remarkably still place to drop the pick.  As expected, it was a lazy start all-round and it wasn’t until at least 10:00am that we motoredContinue reading “Sounds of Majestic Grandeur”

Otago’s Retreat, Preservation Inlet, FIORDLAND !  Wednesday 4 March 2020  It was always going to be a close-run thing. Sailing from Port William on Stewart Island to Preservation Inlet in Fiordland – a distance of roughly 80 miles – in daylight hours.   The worst of the 40-50 knot gale had passed overnight. We’d had aContinue reading “A Big Day*!”

Port William, Stewart Island  Tuesday 3 March 2020  As planned, we got away from Lord’s River early, catching the light, off shore wind, before the forecasted all-out gale arrived around lunchtime  Our speed was good, and it was a comfortable ride, with a slight tilt to the starboard side. Our arrival at Port William aroundContinue reading “Race to Beat the Gale”

APOLOGIES FOR THE TEMPORARY BREAK IN COMMUNICATION Owing to the fact that we are now out of internet and phone range and are relying on SatPhone emails and the kindest of friend, Mike Clarke, to post messages on our behalf (Currently no photos unfortunately – these will be added in a couple of weeks when weContinue reading “Now That Looks Tight”

Faith, Hope & Charity Sunday 1 March 2020 Whilst our goal and “sailing itinerary” for the next 14 days was to … “… proceed forthwith to the Fiordland-region, located at the further-est corner of New Zealand’s South Island and once there to explore its waterways and environs…” … the Chimere-cruise travel brochure always made referenceContinue reading “Weather or Not”

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”