Having sailed in the Nelson Tasman region for over 12 years, this is the first time that we have explored Pelorus Sound. It’s incredible! We’ve had some of the best sailing we have ever had, stayed in some beautiful anchorages and done some lovely walks ashore. Our new headsail allows us not only to point closer to the wind, but to actually sail when we are there. Today we tacked out of World’s End (yes, it is actually called that - we have been to the ends of the earth…) and were easily making 5 knts and more in about 7 knts of wind. It’s bliss. It is also great for downwind sailing and we were goose-winged coming across Tawhitinui Reach, again at 5-6 knots. The Sounds reminded us of the varied winds as we headed down Popoure Reach with gusts well in excess of 30 knts from several different directions in quick succession. We had decided to check out Te Mara resort in Wilson’s Bay and almost gave up on it, due to the constant wind shifts. However, we got a favourable shift and headed in and onto a mooring. The moorings at the resort were being checked and the one we came onto had been re-laid only a couple of hours earlier. We were picked up and taken ashore where we had a nice dinner and a look around the accommodation and facilities.
Since our last blog, our chart plotter log has clicked through the 10000nm mark. We re-set this before our big trip in 2014 and it had already got 3500nm on it then. With the sailing we did prior to installing the chart plotter, we have probably sailed around 15000nm in Tuarangi. We realised the other day that most of these miles have had deadlines attached to them. Having to be places for occasions, or back by Sunday or even to work back from the Wooden Boat Festival, dictating times for departing the places we visited along the way. This trip we have none of that pressure. We can sail where and when we want, looking at the tides and forecast. If we want to stay we can and we are loving it. It took us a little while to get back into the rhythm of being at sea, but we are all in our happy place.
Our thoughts go out to the people in Tonga. Listening to the marine weather forecasts relating to this and to Cyclone Cody we are very content to be where we are.