SailKattywompus: SailBlogs

D'Urville Island To Nelson

Linda — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:40:00 -0600

March 8 With a reasonably early start and nice wind, we were on our way to D'Urville Island. Our plan was to anchor for the night at one of the islands off the east coast. With a favorable wind and tide we decided to round Cape Stephens (the northernmost tip of the island) and head for an anchorage in Port Hardy. Along the way we were joined by a pod of dolphins who had a great time playing and showing off in our bow wake. There were also tons of blue penguins in the water. Noisy little fellows and very shy. At Port Hardy, the bay is divided into three arms and we chose a spot in the south arm where the potential for gusty wind was almost nil. After looking at all the little bays we decided on Smokehouse. (40*47.299S 173*53.269E) How it got it's name, I have no idea. Nothing but native bush down to the water, a tiny beach and so many songbirds that we couldn't believe it. The sound was what I would imagine it to be, deep in a tropical jungle. (Continued...)

Sailing The South Island

Linda — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:27:00 -0600

I'm going to play catch-up on my blog posts in reverse. A new strategy, so that I can be more in the moment when I write. For now, Wellington and our S. Island road trip will have to wait. On March 2nd we departed the mooring buoy in Waikawa (41* 15.746'S 174*02.424'E) in Queen Charlotte Sound. It wasn't the nicest day, overcast and rainy but given that we've had such beautiful weather since we arrived we're not complaining. Headed for Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park. Our plan: take as long as we want to get there. How's that for a schedule? (Continued...)

These Kiwis Know How To Party!

Linda — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:57:00 -0600

After an incredible starry night on our passage here, we tied up our lines at Chaffer's Marina in downtown Wellington on a sunny Friday afternoon. We couldn't have a better location. The Te Papa museum is a stones throw away along with the rest of the city. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. About 300,000 people live here and it has the feeling of a cosmopolitan little city. (Continued...)