Cape Terawhiti – entrance to Cook Strait. Beautiful !
We made it to Wellington… without emotional trauma, and without having to get out Andrew Fagan’s “Swirly World heads South”, and read a couple of paragraphs aloud to calm the nerves.
The last 2 posts have been sent off our trusty 2001 Iridium sat phone, which works about as fast as slow dial up on a rainy day, so that is why we are unable to send photos. So back on internet as we know it today.
Our last post was near New Plymouth, we had struggled our way back out of being too close to the land as we came in towards New Plymouth, and spirits were high. We spent the night sailing under #3, and full main, riding the rollercoaster of “we need something bigger” when the wind dropped, to “Gees I am glad we only have #3 up” when the wind puffed over 25 knots. The weather data was surprising accurate and we saw the acceleration in pressure predicted as continued down the 145 deg line towards Cape Terawhiti.
Rob firmly attached to the boat, so Neptune could not capture him.
In the morning, still sailing at 8 knots plus, which is quick for a Farr 38, but only 1st gear for the boats at the front of the fleet, we encountered a series of rather nasty waves, one damaging Rob’s pride when it unceremoniously threw him off the side of the boat, no physical damage suffered. These same waves caused a bit of damage in the rest of the fleet, with similar tales from Ficton and a knockdown on Montego Bay III.
Moroccan lamb for breakfast …. hmmm
We waited, (enjoyed a hearty freeze dried breakfast) and held our nerve of not putting up a bigger sail, until we were well clear of anymore nasties that Neptune could throw at us. Finally, much to the relief of our shore crew, we hoisted our EXPEDITION kite and started clawing our way back from last on PHRF for our division to 2nd. The run into Cape Terawhiti was pretty special for us with the bold mountains of the South Island guiding us into the gap, last time it took us 18 hours on the wind to cover the same distance. We changed back to our #3, beat into the harbor to finish at 15:57 on Thursday, 2nd on PHRF for Div 3 and 6th overall. We are both very happy.
The only damage we had to deal with this leg was the lashing at the top of the code zero furler, which we fixed, and removal of a full container of Chai Latte (yes I am an Aucklander) mix which decided to escape under the floorboards in the free range format, the boat smells like a spice bizaare.
Our shore team has made it to Wellington in the mighty Ruby, which is as bigger achievement as ours. I must qualify this statement by saying without the assistance from the AA. You can read about all their adventures at www.goodbyesteakandmushroompie.blogspot.com – or off the link on our home page under Auxillary Support blog. Also we are regularly sending tweets at sea, check these out on our homepage www.expeditioncoppelia.com
Finally happy Valentines day, I believe I might be taken down to the water font for coffee
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