Caught a very nice yellow fin Tuna at dusk last night. Now we know we are truly in the tropics. Sea temperature up to 26’C. Good sailing breeze making 7.5 knots. Sea a little lumpy.

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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.

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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.

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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 […]

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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.

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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.

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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 […]

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Arrived 22:00 11th November. This is a small place but very friendly and many good yachtie services. Lots of boats arriving all the time from Tonga, Fiji and New Caledonia. Will be here in NZ until the end of cyclone season in the Pacific which is April time. We will focus on maintenance and then […]

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Lots of Sooty Shearwaters and some Albatrosses which make a lovely sight. It makes up for it being so cold.  We now have full thermals as per UK early season sailing! Wind now around to the west so making Opua on this tack and keeping up a good speed.  Position of tack on Monday morning […]

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Weather now very changeable in wind speed and direction.  Constant sail changes and several tacks.  Wind from 5 to 30 knots and direction from SE to west.  David’s slept in oilskins to allow fast changes in sail plan overnight.  Had a great period with the staysail and 25 knots of wind for a few hours […]

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