41 15.63S 173 16.85E
Around the world with the Aqualunies
Jonathan & Gabrielle Lyne
Thu 5 Dec 2013 02:34
NELSON, S.ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Sorry the blogs stopped from Jonathan on his sail down here from Fiji. The ships computer which sends and receives via irridium, crashed so he could not continue it.
They had, as you know, no wind most of the way until the last night when they had strong winds on the nose of 35 knots gusting to 45 knots with rough and confused seas. It is known that when sailing the Tasman Sea you are more than likely to get bashed once by strong weather.
I rejoined the ship from Sydney on the 3rd December having spent 12 wonderful, blissful days staying with Maggie Crichton in Sydney. It was lovely just to be able to walk down to the beach when I wanted to to swim and sunbathe, catch the ferry into the main City when I wanted to and go for long walks from the house when I wanted to the sense of freedom was just what I needed for awhile. Whilst I was there other old friends came to stay with Maggie so it was a wonderful 'catch up' time.
Now back to reality, it is cold and wet, extra blankets on the bunk and winter pyjamas out. We went for a good hike up a hill just outside Nelson yesterday morning whilst it was dry and explored the old apple exportation docks as well where we had a lovely lunch, I had green lipped mussels in Laska sauce, delicious.
Whilst we are in the marina waiting for the two expected fronts to pass through we are having a new hard drive put in the ship's computer and a new Victron battery charger and invertor fitted in the engine room as it was not charging the batteries to a high degree, well, any more.
We hope to leave here on Monday after the weather fronts have passed and start exploring the Marlborough Sounds which looked spectacular when I flew over them on my way in.
I will be writing regular updates I hope in the Sounds if we have the computer up and running or via this lap top if I can get a signal.