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