We
are leaving. A turbulent low weather front has gone through causing a gale with
winds raging between 30 and 47 knots. We had been sitting out this strong gale
which had been whipping up all day trapping us on the boat. We had Gryphon II
out at anchor but she started dragging dangerously so we had to move quickly and
take shelter inside a large break water where we spent the night. All was well,
the fierce wind subsided and peace was restored by early morning. We are off on
the back of this trough as a spell of settled high pressure is forecast now
starting today.
This
is a difficult goodbye, New Zealand has suited us so very well. We have found it
to be a beautiful and varied country with friendly, easy-going people. The
climate is wonderful enabling an outdoor life for most of the year, we are
really smitten and would like to live here. Having family here has increased the
pleasure for us, but we miss our own small family and the rest of our journey
calls us on so it's Fiji next.
The barometer will need a watchful eye for sudden drops
in pressure. April is still just the end of the cyclone season so we need to be
cautious. We draw weather information from a variety of sources such as
saildocs.com, sailmail, MetService New Zealand and others; Together they enable
us to get scheduled wind warnings and forecasts as well as grib files and other
data showing wind and pressure formations over a series of days. We also get a
weekly emailed forecast from NZ Weather Ambassador Bob McDavitt, guru par
excellence (Chris has just purchased his book 'Mariners Met Pack, South West
Pacific', published by NZ MetService – very good). The forecast is promising
from all these sources and we can draw down files from them by email to keep
updated on prospects during the journey. Such excellent
support.
Final bits and pieces have already been done like the last stowage
of fresh provisions, preparing the rear cabin which we use on passages, fitting
new jib sheets and the new water maker that was replaced free by Katadyne after
an ongoing problem. This morning the fuel and water tanks were filled early and
we met the Customs Officer to complete our clearances. “Come again soon,” she
said – yes please! The outboard motor, dinghy and other harbour paraphernalia
have been stowed for the journey and I have restocked the fishing box.
Four
boats are taking advantage of the 'high' and leave Opua today: ourselves, Sal
Darago with Jeremy and Cathy from UK who are going straight to Australia, Gosi
with Tom and Barbara who have lived in New Zealand for 5 years but are from USA
and are going to New Caledonia, and Benaudoit (not sure of the spelling) with
Nicholas and Pascal from France who like us are en route to Fiji. We have
arranged a daily radio check in with Gosi. Sal Darago, Gosi and we on Gryphon II
all have to be in Darwin by mid July as we have all booked in for the Indonesian
Rally which leaves 23rd with prep events beforehand. I aim to fly
home to see the family before
that so our pace must be brisk.
Well, the long
narrow peninsula of north island NZ has disappeared over the horizon. We motored
for a couple of hours as there was little wind in the Bay of Islands or outside
in the lee of the land, this seemed extraordinary after yesterday. Then Gryphon
sailed close hauled to starboard for three hours with NW3/4 winds carrying us
along at a jaunty angle. The moon rose easterly, a red giant that lit the sky
and the sea; always comforting to sail with a full moon, especially on the first
night out.
20/04/11
A bit
of a bouncy night. The barometer was rising and falling between 1020 and 1024
bars. At lunch time our southerly wind disappeared and the engine went on, we
can't afford to wallow in this sea as troughs will catch us up if we do. We have
been lucky to avoid some small squalls in the distance but could see the grey
rain streaks spiralling down to the sea. We have had no rain so far but no sun
either although it's gradually getting warmer.
I put
the fishing line out with a large hook and an old red and yellow octopus lure at
about 1100 hrs this morning. I left it late as Chris was still sleeping after
his 0400 to 0800 watch and if I caught a fish I probably wouldn't be able to
bring it in myself. Just as he got up and went into the cockpit the fish was
there; a Mahi Mahi, one of the most beautiful of all the ocean fish that we
catch with its stunning iridescent turquoise, blues, greens and gold. Well
fishing is fishing and this is a fine 8 pounder and a welcome addition to the
larder.
