21:08S 175:11W

 

Last minute nerves are kicking in as we finalise preparations for the passage to Opua, New Zealand.   We’re all provisioned and the freezer is absolutely full of ready meals. Normally we don’t bother as we’ve had very few days when we can’t get into the galley to make a meal.  But we’ve heard so many horror stories about this passage (and hoping all of them are untrue!) that we are taking extra precautions. 

 

Our good friend Alastair Shanks came on board this morning and has helped with last minute things such as refuelling – duty free diesel comes in a 200litre can and has to be pumped or siphoned into the tanks.   While they were doing this I went to the local hairdresser for a wash and blow dry – at the ridiculously low price of NZ$12.   I will certainly miss such treats!  On the way back I bought papaya, banana, tomatoes, lettuce and spinach all again at ridiculously cheap prices.

 

All we have to do now is do a final scrutiny of the weather before heading for Minerva Reef.  Kiwi weather guru Bob McDavitt is helping us and he’s already given the green light for Minerva which is a two day/night sail away.  We’ll wait there until those nasty systems have passed over New Zealand so we have a shot at a reasonable passage.   We’ve sailed more than 40,000 miles in Bandit – most of them reasonably comfortable – so we don’t want to end on a sour note.

 

Please keep us buoyed up by sending the odd email – yachtbandit {CHANGE TO AT} mailasail {DOT} com – we love getting emails at sea.  As it comes through a satellite phone please don’t include attachments, letterheads or photos.