Tasman Sea 0909 The wind of the Tasman Sea ripped two of our sails to pieces. Its' waves flooded us. We were kicked around and almost overboard. The currents at the North Cape took us right back where we came from. Head winds most of the way, made every single mile we made, hard earned. There were also glorious moments of unbelievable beauty and awe. It was definitely the voyage with the most birds keeping us company. They were friendly, happy and inquisitive, all the way. Even though it was tough out there, we never felt out of control. The skipper seemed to have enjoyed the chess game with the wind on the daily weather maps. Mylady proofed once again that she is a formidable ocean going craft. And we actually had an interesting and good voyage. It was a very homely welcome we had here in New Zealand, from the officials, to our friends and acquaintances. I guess we are (at) home.
Greetings, MisA-le & Eelco
S/V MYLADY : Home - somewhere on the oceans, where the wind is free.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Coming across the Tasman Sea
OZ TO NZ - THE TASMAN SEA We sat sail for New Zealand in light winds. In fact, we motored the first hour just to make sure we got some distance between us and land.
After two days, smooth sailing was over. A north-westerly gale chased us towards Lord Howe Island. We ducked and dived and prayed and on bare poles we ran south to miss the in-other-circumstances-tropical-paradise. The storm changed course and so did we, in a big u-turn around the bottom end of Lord Howe Island. Next day came with zero wind, sunshine and calm seas. Two days of drifting and then the high pressure system caught up with us. Since then we had wind on the nose. Lots of wind. And that brought with it, mountainous seas. Yes, it is rather like mountaineering out here. Up, up, up and over the rise. Down, down deep into the valleys and trenches. Up, up, up and over the cliff! Bang! We're still alive, thank God. Up, up, up, CRASH! "Water!!" we cried out in unison with fearful alarm. Water in the boat. We bailed and pumped. The engine flooded. Another day's gone past. Still the mountains kept coming. More up and over. Up, up, up and a rock slide! Thundering, kicking waves and blood in the cockpit as a knock on the steering colomn split the skippers brow. Handy first aid with a butterfly and he's well again. Still more mountains and frenzied wind in the new day. The jib torn in several places. We hoisted a spare sail. A couple days later that had to be repaired too. Most of the time the little storm sail and reefed mainsail pull us through.
Sometimes the sun shine. Sometimes there are windless moments. (We have learned to be wary of them.) Other times for no rhyme nor reason the wind picks up from nothing to Beaufort 7 (54km/h) in ten counts flat and stay on that note for hours and then we mountaineer again on our hobbled horse.
One day we will reach port. Everyday our flock of three sea doves, albatros creche of four and twelve shearwaters come to say g'day. My panic release knitting project is coming along well. (The more severe the weather, the faster I knit.) From the nursery the sprouts and seedling provides the vitamins and we are healthy. What an amazing life.
Take care. Be blessed. Till next time. Greetings from a rugged Tasman Sea.
MisA-le & Eelco current position: 30.59.595S 166.57.300E
After two days, smooth sailing was over. A north-westerly gale chased us towards Lord Howe Island. We ducked and dived and prayed and on bare poles we ran south to miss the in-other-circumstances-tropical-paradise. The storm changed course and so did we, in a big u-turn around the bottom end of Lord Howe Island. Next day came with zero wind, sunshine and calm seas. Two days of drifting and then the high pressure system caught up with us. Since then we had wind on the nose. Lots of wind. And that brought with it, mountainous seas. Yes, it is rather like mountaineering out here. Up, up, up and over the rise. Down, down deep into the valleys and trenches. Up, up, up and over the cliff! Bang! We're still alive, thank God. Up, up, up, CRASH! "Water!!" we cried out in unison with fearful alarm. Water in the boat. We bailed and pumped. The engine flooded. Another day's gone past. Still the mountains kept coming. More up and over. Up, up, up and a rock slide! Thundering, kicking waves and blood in the cockpit as a knock on the steering colomn split the skippers brow. Handy first aid with a butterfly and he's well again. Still more mountains and frenzied wind in the new day. The jib torn in several places. We hoisted a spare sail. A couple days later that had to be repaired too. Most of the time the little storm sail and reefed mainsail pull us through.
Sometimes the sun shine. Sometimes there are windless moments. (We have learned to be wary of them.) Other times for no rhyme nor reason the wind picks up from nothing to Beaufort 7 (54km/h) in ten counts flat and stay on that note for hours and then we mountaineer again on our hobbled horse.
One day we will reach port. Everyday our flock of three sea doves, albatros creche of four and twelve shearwaters come to say g'day. My panic release knitting project is coming along well. (The more severe the weather, the faster I knit.) From the nursery the sprouts and seedling provides the vitamins and we are healthy. What an amazing life.
Take care. Be blessed. Till next time. Greetings from a rugged Tasman Sea.
MisA-le & Eelco current position: 30.59.595S 166.57.300E
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