No fish yet but not seeing many flying fish either so we have it down to no fish around rather than our technique.  Now hot on the boat - fans are on.

Position: 22°42′S 178°42′E [-22.7,178.7] at local 08:45 28th, BST 21:45 27th August
24hr run:  100 miles by GPS. 130 miles by log
352 miles to Savusavu, Fiji. ETA at 5 knots: 07:33 Tues 31st August local time
Wind: NE 6 knots

Looks like another day of motoring.  Hopefully the fishing will be good!  Sea getting warmer now 24′C.

Made to the east ready for the trade winds when they come.

Position: 24°25′S 179°10′E [-24.42,179.17] at local 08:00 27th, BST 21:00 26 August
24hr run:  120 miles by GPS 140 by log.
455miles to Savusavu, Fiji. ETA at 5 knots: 03:19 Tues 31st August local time
Wind: N 4 knots
Sky:  Sunny

Now checking in with Rag of the Air network on 8173 at 19:00GMT.  Style very different from Des at Opua Offshore communications.  Des is earthy and to the point - very Kiwi.  Rag of the air is giggly and “I did this”. They agree on the weather outlook for us which is good.

Now reached half way. The northern tip of the front went over last night.  20-25knot northerly winds but no rain.

Position: 26°24′S 177°57′E [-26.4,177.95] at local 07:20 26th August, BST 20:20 25th August
24hr run: 100 miles by GPS. 116  miles  by log.
575 miles to Savusavu, Fiji. ETA at 5 knots: 03:08 Tues 31st August local  time
Wind: NNW 10knots was 20-25 overnight
Sky:  Front has passed over now clearer skies

There are compensations to light winds and motoring, you get great nibbles for your sundowner.  Andrew has taught Mary to cook Chicken Livers Greek style - hot and spicy.  Will put full recipe on the roaming taste series soon.

Water up to 19.6′C so not cold at night now.

Position: 27°35′S 176°33′E [-27.58,176.55] at local 11:00 25 Aug, BST 23:00 24 August
24hr run:  121 miles by GPS.
660 miles to Savusavu, Fiji. ETA at 5 knots:   23:36 Mon 30th August local time
Wind: NE 14 knots Sea: smooth with SW swell 1.5m
Sunny

Seeing the cold and warm ocean signs but it’s still cold at night.  Today is the first time the day’s sun has felt hot.  Motoring at the moment as the wind died out at 04:00.  Sextant lessons, checking out the Lazerette for any slow leaks and more tidying on the list for today.

Position: 29°40′S 176°00′E [-29.67,176.0] at local 08:40 24th August, BST 21:40 23 August
24hr run:  138 miles by GPS.
789 miles to Savusavu, Fiji. ETA at 5 knots:  23:00 Mon 30th August local time
Wind: South West 5 knots
Sky:  Sunny

Position: 33°43′S 175°20′E [-33.75,175.33] at local 11:26, BST 00:26 22nd August
139 miles by GPS from Whangarei Heads.   North of the North Cape of NZ.
1031 miles to Savusavu, Fiji. ETA at 5 knots: 02:40 Tues 31st August local time
Wind: South West force 4 Sea temp: 18′C

Finally got away at 16:25 from Marsden Cove.  Sylvia and David from Kiss were kind enough to come down to the marina to wish us bon voyage.  Unfortunately too much still to do to stop for coffee!

For our first night we had a nearly full moon still waxing and plenty of wind from the SW to keep us going the way we want.  Andrew cooked an excellent meal of roast chicken with a sauce made from Tamarillos - a variation on chicken klitharaki.

We launched last Monday and hope to get away to Fiji on Saturday.

No on voyage updates on the blog as we have Andrew with us.  You can probably see where we are via the links under “Track of Giselle” which is well down the right hand column.

Only just a few more items!

Still not in the water but very close.  Andrew arrives today and will have have a few days with us before spending a week in the South Island.  Then we hope to be all ready to launch and look for a weather window to sail to Fiji. [Read more →]

Deck and cabin paint now complete.  Windows are in and Giselle looks like a yacht again.  It will be many years since she looked as good. [Read more →]

Progress continues.  We have booked a launch date of 9th July.  Tough to get everything done by then but still achievable.  Andrew and Rebecca hoping to come out and visit.  May sail up to Fiji with Andrew and Rebecca may visit us while in Fiji late August. [Read more →]