We tied up on the customs wharf at 6am. It was a little stressful as it was pitch black sky and no lights on the wharf. The tide was rushing at a couple of knots with us, which meant we have to be motoring at 4 knots to retain steering. Once along side the wharf, B (at the helm) put Imagine in reverse to try and stop us. I managed to get a mooring line onto a cleat on the wharf and tie off the bow. This kicked the back of Imagine out a little and that was all the tide needed to pull us around. We had no control as the tide turned us 180 degrees. At least now we were facing the tide and could control the boat. We were then able to get three other lines to the wharf and secure Imagine.
We didn’t get any sleep just cleaned up the boat, had breakfast and got ready for Customs. We waited and waited. Eventually they turned up at 1pm. It didnt take long, but they did take all our meat and the remainder of our fresh fruit and veggies.
After we were officially in New Zealand, we left the wharf and anchored across at Russell. Julia was craving a beer, so we headed to the Duke of Marlborourgh hotel were we all enjoyed a cool drink. We strolled around Russell before having dinner at the Thai Restaurant. We returned to Imagine to enjoy the sunset.
Day 9
Almost there! Sixty nautical miles to go! We should arrive in Opua about 4am.
Today was a great day for blue water sailing. A gentle 1m swell, with 15kts of wind off the beam. It’s not very often that you would get these conditions out here. It has been the same as usual, doing your shift, eating and sleeping. B did say she saw dolphins off in the distance, but no body else saw them. Tonight’s dinner is using up all the left over food that Customs will want to confiscate tomorrow.
No day
Day 7
Night sky
Last night the sky was so clear. I poked my head out of the cockpit to look at the stars. The moon had not risen yet. The bright stars shining white looked like they were on a black velvet backdrop. As my eyes adjusted to the light or lack of light, a second layer of light grey stars appeared filling the gaps between the white stars. Then a third layer of dark grey stars smothered the remaining black with dots. from horizon to horizon the sky was covered in stars. there was no space left for the black velvet backdrop. something you can only see far from the city lights.
Egg and Baked Beans
Wednesday 11th
Today we had low swell and winds making it a slow trip, so I put the rod off the back of Imagine with a small lure. While Austin and Julia slept, B and I played cards (B won). Just as we finished the rod went BZZZZZZ… there was something on the line! I raced onto the back deck to start reeling in our dinner. B depowered the boat to slow us down to make it easier for me. Austin and Julia came out on deck to see what the fuss was about.
It took 15 minutes to get the fish along side. I would get it close to Imagine then it would dive and I would have to reel it back in. Austin got the gaff hook and was ready to hook what looked to be a Tuna when the lure ripped out of its mouth. I put the line out again hoping for another chance but no luck.
For dinner, B had leftovers and Julia wasn’t hungry. Austin and I had Egg and Baked Beans on toast.
Day 5
Tuesday 10th
Over night the wind and swell was up, making it an uncomfortable night. This morning we discovered that during the night we had visitors. On the deck were three flying fish. They must have been Kamikase fish.
As the day went on the wind started dropping and continued to drop below the 10knts we need to sail. This means we had to motor and will have to for a few days as we go through the centre of the high. We could sail around the high, but it would add days to the journey.
She is still alive! Julia made it up top to do her mid day shift. She even managed to keep down lunch. B is winning the hairstyle competition with her Rod Stewart look.
Day4
Monday 9th
Overninght Julia was having a hard time keeping her food down, so she slept on the floor hanging on to her bucket. This morning she isn’t much better so this means the shifts are shared between Austin, B and myself.
The day has been uneventful. Just sailing a little of course due to the wind and waves. As we have little to do either than watch, eat and sleep Austin and B are having an hairstyle competition…wonder who is the craziest?B will need to see a doctor when arriving: She was sleeping down below when suddenly woke up and asked Andrew to check on the helicopter landing on top of Imagine! It was just the noise of Imagine engine running! Might be Pacific Ocean hallucination.
Day 3
Sunday 8th
This morning we had enough wind to unreef the main and put the head sail out. Slowly the wind dropped and swung more north this meant we had to go with motor assist. Most of the afternoon the wind was down to 7kts, but the swell was also down to 1m.
Today everyone was feeling a bit better and we were all able to have lunch together, and it stayed down. Everyone is settling into the routine and roster. This afternoon we all got turns to have a nap, with the gentle rock of the waves.
Tonight we are going to try Nachos for dinner.
Day 2
Saturday 7th
The wind and swell slowly dropped overnight and during today. The two newbies got plenty of sleep, sleeping in the saloon, rising about lunchtime. Julia straight away took a shift at the helm. Still not well enough to eat more then a couple of dry crackers. Austin arose and then went back to bed till his turn on the helm. We are now back to 2 hours on and 6 hours off shifts.
It looks like it will be my job to eat all the food we had bought for the passage, as most of it will be confiscated when we get to New Zealand. B is on soup bananas and crackers. That is if we have enough dry crackers to last, for the others.
By lunchtime the wind was at a constant 20kts and the swell was down to 1m. Very good sailing. We have the 140% head sail out with the main and mizzen sails. This is giving us a nice 6.5kts of speed.
