34:51S 172:16E

 

We anchored just under Cape Reinga last night along with Australian cruising friends Paul and Kate on Iolea and a couple of fishing boats.    As we sat in the cockpit having a sundowner we watched amazed as people swam off the beach.   It’s a gorgeous and remote beach and there were a few campers there...obviously quite balmy judging by their desire to swim!

 

Yesterday afternoon we caught a kahawhai and baked it whole and it was delicious with lemon mayonnaise.  It’s our first taste of NZ fish for some time and it was great.

 

Tides are critical round Cape Reinga so we were up at 5.30am and were pleased to follow one of the fishing boats around.....tides can be confusing and seeing him heading out confirmed our decision to make an early morning start.   We had current with us and Bandit was racing along at 10 knots at times.   Cape Reinga and Cape Maria van Diemen looked spectacular from the sea but with the sun rising behind them it was hopeless taking photos.

 

We’re now heading down the west coast with wind between 12-16 knots from the south east – on the nose.  We’re making reasonable progress but the odd big wave tends to stop us in our tracks.  Iolea is abeam of us but no doubt being bigger (they’re a Hylass 48) they’ll creep ahead.

 

It’s wonderful being back at sea, on passage, and much discussion has centred around just how we are going to adapt to a land based life.  Hmm...watch this space!