Position: 35 16.33 S 174 07.47 E
At anchor, Matauwha Bay, off Russell
Wind: calm
Sea state: calm Swell: nil
Weather: clear, mild
Day’s run: 12.4 nm

This morning there was very little wind so I took advantage of the calm conditions to row ashore to collect some more fresh water. Back on board, water stowed, at 0955 I weighed anchor and we sailed out of Urupukapuka Bay to a light S’ly breeze, our destination – back to Russell to reprovision and to catch up with Annie and Paul one last time before heading south to Whangarei.

The winds remained light throughout the rest of the day and mostly from ahead, requiring a total of ten tacks weaving among the many islands, headlands and rocky reefs, before we were in the channel leading to Russell where we could ease sheets with the light breeze more on our beam. By this time it was approaching mid-afternoon. Now that we did not have any more tacking to do, I set the code zero in lieu of the jib.

Annie was also returning to Russell from Te Puna Inlet and as luck would have it, we were approaching Matauwhi Bay at around the same time, which afforded me the opportunity to see Fan Shi under sail for the first time. The bright yellow fan shaped sail spread magnificently above Fan Shi’s colourful hull and I was quite impressed with the speed she was making given her short waterline length, though admittedly her light displacement would have suited the light winds. I was also impressed by Annie’s adroit handling of her small craft as she approached the moorings and reduced sail, the bright yellow fan falling down upon itself like a large Venetian blind (see photos).

Meanwhile Sylph sailed to anchor, I hope no less adroitly, dropping the big code zero as we approached the bay, then rounding into the wind, lowering the main, and letting go the anchor in 4.5 meters of water, once again just outside Matauwha Bay.

All is well.