Whale POO

The gale was whipping the waters white with foam when we went anchor up midday in New Zealand. The neighbour yachties were all 

on their boats, watching.  We motored out of the port of Opua and then rolled out half of the furling genoa. The gale subsided slowly 

but surely.  Apart from the tall ship Tucker Tomson who had a youth school class on board, we were the only boat out there. Just 

before dark, the yacht Mizar which was going the same direction, passed us. The voyage was good. There was a big high spreading all 

over our sailing grounds and we had light, little or no wind for days. We enjoyed it. An unexpected storm got us in a tight knot, but it 

blew over quick enough. Light winds again but all from a good direction. Then a low popped up, just on top of us. We were two days from reaching our destination. But the low was apparently going to interfere with head winds the last part of our trip. So we decided to sail with the low, round the bottom and up the west side of it, where the winds would be the good direction. 

Unfortunately for us, the low stalled and grew and grew and went a different direction. It pulled us into its hell hole and gave us the ride of our lives. 

Needless to say, my prayer-line to heaven was non-stop open and we received blessings untold. We arrived in Tonga 17 days after leaving New Zealand all in one piece. Just the nameflap on starboard side got a torn in one corner. 

Finalizing to leave for the Pacific Islands

The sailmaker from Willis Sails came onboard at the Stone Store to take the measurements for our new sails. Having fresh water available, we washed the old sails before stowing them.  It was ideal weather for it, lovely sunny and quiet water and Mylady sure looked different with all the cloth sausages draped from her mast. We frequently did the healthy uphill walk to town to buy provisions.  Being pushed down hill on the return trip with our heavily laden trolleys is always fun. And then the stowing dance to find space for everything.

We replaced our water tank with new. It was a thirty-four year old stainless steel. Twelve years ago it got a new bottom in Turkey and a baffle inside. All the crashing we do out on the oceans had the water rush slamming out this barrier and it made the worst noise you could think of.  We feared it would slam a hole in the tank. So we turned the boat inside out. The old water tank is out and the new solid plastic tank (not rubber) is in. All the connections and hoses to and from were also replaced. It was one of those typical jobs suppose to take a couple of days that turned into a fortnight drama.  

As always, never a dull moment and actually not much to show for all our being busy. It’s just us who will enjoy greater peace of mind in the knowledge of all the maintenance and improvements, and Mylady who smiles along.

It’s time for us to sail across the sea. We are off to some sunshine and warmth on the Pacific Islands of Tonga, Wallis and Fiji. 

Take care of yourselves and write us a note. 

On the move again

We have had a lovely time the last month in the Historic Stone Store Basin. Mylady had her anchor out with two aft lines to the shore. Our refit-on-the-go-project had us ended up in Kerikeri to get Craig of Willis Sails on board to measure our new sails. Then the township of Kerikeri was just so handy to do a few more jobs... We replaced the fresh water tank with new made by Hercules Tanks of Tauranga.   Sophie of Kerikeri pumps was ever so helpful in supplying all our hoses and connections and much more. Good weather prevailed with the big man crawling around in small spaces. The wind generator came down for some lubrication and check-up and now swings with less struggle.  Whilst I was rolling thumbs, the polish man came around and gave Mylady a super shine. Oh, and there was also time to meet new people and old friends. The motorman had two long days in the engine room changing all the old for new, supposedly she's 

purring perfect now.  We left the Kerikeri River on a run with lots of wind from behind. The new storm sail was tested and found to be good. And after coming on anchor the little riding sail immediately went up to keep Mylady steady in the wind. We are so happy with so many of our little this-and-that things. Like for instance the furling genoa cover which we finally figured out and now works good. Will be testing our new sails in the coming days.  Following is my easy bread baking on top of the gas stove demo.  Enjoy !

Yacht Captain DUTIES

What are you doing all the time ? The ever familiar question.  Well here's some of the things keeping the captain busy.

Cavalie Islands NZ

We have a wonderful time here at the Cavalie Islands in Northland New Zealand.  Weather is summary and visibility excellent. Slowly heading south.

Swinging around the mast

Skipper gets into the mast of our off-shore going Compass34 cruising yacht Mylady, with the very handy mast steps.  It was time to remove the baggy-wringles after about ten years.  The boson chair is very handy.  He found that the baggy-wringles left a mark on the stainless steel rigging - probably a bit of oxygen deprevation.  I’m fortunate that Eelco doesn’t mind to climb the mast.  Only if my life depends on it will I try it.  

christmas 2012

We wish you a very good Christmas and a happy New Year. In New Zealand the red flowers of the Pohutukawa are out in abundance and the hillsides full of more promises.  It's gonna be a wet xmas but promises to be pretty.  Blessings and love.
Eelco and Mi-sA-lê

Back on Mylady on Kerikeri River, New Zealand

The crew of MYLADY are back on board in New Zealand.  I had a great time with my son and his family in Texas and Eelco had a good, productive time collecting freedom chips.  With the sheets and ropes and sails back on deck and in the rigging, we’re starting to feel and look like a sailboat again.  In the meantime the big man has started to demolish the boat from the inside in order to get to the main bulkhead under the floorboards where we have to do repairs.  Soon we’ll leave the Kerikeri River to go to Ashby’s Boatyard in Opua, Bay of Islands, where we’ll do most of the work.  Weather is good, chilly for us, but by all standards – good.

our backyard. 

mv SAMIRA freedom chips

Eelco left his previous ship in Ceuta and flew home for the night. His luggage showed up a few hours late. The following morning his pre-ordered taxi to take him to the train didn't show up.  On arrival at the port his new ship was in a complete different location than where his transport dropped him off.  All in all a smooth transfer with a lot of hick-ups. Fortunately he's a giant in body and in mind.  mv Samira is loaded with steel and they are underway to Sweden. She handles the rough North Sea well.  Less crew this time therefore longer watches.
photo credit: http://photos.marinetraffic.com/ais/showphoto.aspx?photoid=837162

Sailing voyages with mv Sirocco

They didn't sit stil.  Sailing loads of rice, or sugarbeet, or steel, or trash or urea. Sailing the Black Sea, the Mediteranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, passed the white cliffs of Dover, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.  In general, weather was fair. and onboard relations good.

mv Sirocco freedom chips

We were preparing to go to the islands when we discovered significant damage below the floor on the main bulkhead.  Combined with that a far gone rusted mast support and keel frame left us with no option other than to arrange for extension for Mylady and do repairs.  Whilst we do the visa dance, Eelco is collecting freedom chips for us again and I’m visiting in Texas.  When we’ll be back in NZ, we have to do serious structural repairs.    

This time Eelco works as relief captain on a Dutch cargo ship m/v Sirocco, the third ship of Dutch owner Geert Tilma.   Geert and his wife have captained and cooked for many years on his ships.  While discharging in the homeport of Delfzijl, in the north of Holland, the ‘family’, that includes other staff members who were on holiday, came all onboard to assist and share in the work and joy of new stores. 

Sirocco is a 2004 model with the vessel’s LOA 111.40 m, Beam 13.40 m and max draft 5,80 metre.  She uses 9 mt of heavy fuel a day if sailed at full speed.  With the wind on the bow the speed drops dramatically.  We can carry about 200 mt of fuel.  In the Mediterranean we can use fuel that has a high Sulfur level (cheaper) but up north in the North Sea and British Channel we have to use fuel with a low Sulfur level. Yes and that is a puzzle if you have only 3 tanks for fuel. Our fresh water tanks are each 25 mt.  This ship has two.  Normal use aboard is between 1,5 and 2 mt a day.  We have a water maker that can make about 2 mt a day so we have to watch the amount and if we go low we have to fill up from shore.
In every port is an agent who takes care of the whole shore organisation like the paper work between ship and shore and immigration and customs.  He pay's the bills like harbour dues etc. After the ship is gone he sends a bill to the operator of the vessel in this case "Wagenborg Shipping".  From the freight agent at the operator, the ship gets info about the cargo and from them the ship also get sailing orders.  The cargo loading plans are made by the chief officer aboard the vessel and captain has to approve it all and take responsibility. 

Next time more about the voyages...   Until then.

Cruising New Zealand

A lot of time has passed.  Sorry for not keeping in touch.  Following is a brief summary of what’s been happening with us.  First and foremost – we are well.  After Eelco’s time on the Janette last November, we spent some family time in Holland.  No it didn’t snow. 

We explored the inland of Netherland by train and had a great time.  I fell in love with the quaint town of Delfts.  Maastricht in the south was super interesting.  For instance the ‘wall of Jerigo’ around the old city – fascinating.  I didn’t realize the walls were so wide.  We walked on top of the wall where they had veggie gardens and fruit trees growing between the canons.  They had bakeries where people queued in the streets and the bread bought by its weight – absolutely memorable delicious.

End of January we were back in New Zealand and did the regular haul out, scrub and paint.  Also some major maintenance like galvanizing the anchor and chain and installed a new anchor winch.  Yes, the old one said ‘ten years were enough’.  And then we could finally take off to explore the northern tip of New Zealand.  We enjoyed our cruising time there.  The Cavalie Islands were great, Whangaroa a sheer delight and Doubtless Bay fascinating.  In Mangonui was an art gallery in the old courthouse where I could stay forever.  The air, the feeling, the life of the place, the paintings, the crafts, were vibrant, different, alive and inspirational.  And there was this Maori goddess swirling from out of the sea with all kinds of sealife mingling with her long wavy hair.  Her features were fine, clear, delightful and powerful – Mother of the Sea.  

I loved it.

 

On our way back we were homesteading in sea anchorages.  In one such place we rode out a severe gale coming from the SSE.   However when the storm decided to turn to the west, we all of a sudden had a problem.  In wind of 50 kn(100km/h) and flattening rain, we scurried to weigh the two anchors back on board and motored to the leeside of the bay.  But there it was open to the sea and big swell was running.  Judged by the onlookers arriving on the beach in their cars in the pouring rain, seeing a yacht there, and especially in those conditions, was not an everyday occurrence.   We survived it all, thank God.   

We connected again with old time sailing friends, caught a few tuna and revisited beautiful bays.  Even Dingo from Oz caught up with us and we were honoured to receive a warm loaf of the best home baked bread.  Mylady is now resting quietly on the Kerikeri River in New Zealand.  I’m visiting my granddaughter in Texas and Eelco is collecting freedom chips for us. 

Whangaroa New Zealand

Whangaroa, north of the Bay of Islands in New Zealand.  It has a high and steep rock wall facing the ocean and guarding the entrance. Inside it opens into a big protected water with good depth and the bottom has excellent holding.  Anchoring can be done anywhere and the choices of bad weather bays are numerous.  We were drawn to the high protruding rocky outcrops on the west side with their eye catching lime green narrow plateaus winding from bottom to top.  Like that should somehow be the walkway enabling one to climb these mountains.  As we turned into this big finger of water, several bays indented it, so we dropped anchor smack in the middle to be able to see all around us.  It is beautiful here.  As the afternoon progressed, sport fishing vessels and yachts trickled in a steady stream passed us and by nightfall the big bay at the end had its own city of lights on the water for the night.  We keep busy with extensive upkeep of MYLADY while enjoying the luxury of the roving life we have.

wings

How time has flown...
I shall be back here shortly.

HIGH SEAS REPORT – FREIGHT

I joined m/v Jeanette in September and were introduced to the frustrating event of waiting (and nagging) for freight.  In a four week period we only made one short trip.  In Dunkerque France, we loaded 5700mt of coal and brought it to Amsterdam.  Finally we got a 5600 mt load of steel coils in Ijmuiden, the Netherlands for Salerno in Italy and two other ports in Turkey. While heading for our first discharging port we made a bunker stop in Ceuta, Spain. To bunker 150 mt of fuel took 4 hours all together from coming alongside till we were underway again.  After totally 8 days sailing from the Netherlands to Italy we arrived in Salerno.  We had hoped for a weekend alongside as the agent mentioned in his mails to ship but the Italians were quick with discharging and we were out on sea again in no time heading for Turkey.  Through the Dardanelle we went into the Sea of Marmara and in the Gulf of Izmit, near Istanbul, to our two discharge ports Rota and Diliskelesi.  From Salerno it was 4,5 days sailing to the Gulf of Izmit.  The pace of off-loading in Turkey was slower than in Italy but in three days time our cargo was out.  Cleaning ship and preparing (paint the holds) for the next load is a big part of the job.  It is frustrating and tiresome though when standards are adjustable from one day to the next.  We took 5650 mt of soda in bulk (also used to make glass) for Tarragona in Spain. This trip took 7 days.  From there immediately on to Barcelona, which was only 4 hours sailing from Tarragona on the way cleaning and preparing ship again from the soda dust, and getting the new paint dry, and ready to load within 12 hrs from the time we were empty.  Everybody involved in this cargo was happy to see the ship ready for loading in such a short time. Maybe you wonder why every time painting again?  Well many times they go with front-end loaders into the hold when discharging which scrape off the paint, and the next load requires no rust, no dust etc.  Now we are underway to Rouen in France to discharge our load of 5600 mt of Potash.  From there we will sail to Scheveningen in Holland for a crew change which is too costly in France and then on to Letland in the Baltic Sea for another load of fine Potash to deliver this time in Kokola, Finland. Then some wood products like pulp and paper from Sweden to Marocco will follow.  Life’s a song if the storms keep at bay.

HIGH SEAS REPORT – TECHNICAL

Some information about Eelco’s professional life for the year 2011.

Motor Vessel Jeanette – belongs to Egbert Bos who also captains his second ship, m/v Anet. (This was the ship I worked on last year).  The owner is Dutch and younger than Eelco.  M/v Jeanette is a general cargo ship  of  6000 mt  DWT, 110  mtr long and 14  mtr wide.  General speed in normal conditions around 11 knots.  She was build in Germany in 2007 and is chartered by Wagenborg Shipping in Delfzijl in the Netherlands who sees to it that the ship gets freight.  Her main working grounds are Western Europe from the Black Sea in the south to the Baltic Sea in the North. 

The crew is from the United Nations.  Captain Eelco is Dutch and works as a freelance relief captain for three months a year.  The permanent captain Wim, now on holiday, is also Dutch and the oldest of the team.  Wim was a fisherman before with his own fishing boat for years.  When the catch became uneconomical he sold his ship and went back to school to get his master ticket for the merchant marine. His is involved in the Jeanette since new-build first as chief officer and later as captain.  Eelco has a good soundboard in him. The Chief mate is Dutch and known to Eelco from his previous job / ship (same owner) where he worked as second officer.  Second mate is Filipino and also he worked with Eelco on his previous ship as boatswain.  The relief Chief Engineer at this moment is from Murmask in Russia and now the oldest crew member.  Communication is not always the best but with the help of hands and feet they get along.  He knows his job. He took over from Dragomir who is original from Croatia but he has a Dutch passport by now and he speaks Dutch with an accent.  Dragomir is just as Wim involved with this ship since new-build in 2007 and knows all the ins and outs of the engine room.  The Filipino cook Joleyn, has supreme culinary qualities.  Eelco say’s, we are growing round and fat but enjoy it all the same.  The two Filipino deckhands – Gilbert and Giovanni - are also good guys.  A positive, productive and good sphere exists onboard and it is a fine team that does their job well.  Not much more for working conditions can be asked.

ON THE TRAIN in NETHERLAND

Mostly the train stations of the well runned rail network are just a peron (an elevated step-off) with a see-through weather shield - practical. Logic has it that the bigger the place the larger the station.  One such station building has a décor theme of old Edwardian style.  Lovely lacework fringes the roof lines and buildings while small decorative post on corners and roof ridges proudly make a statement of presence of an era.  Welcomingly and stylish the benches to wait on, invite for a sit-down.  A whistle sounds, bells ring, the doors close and with an expecting feeling if all is well and on time, the travellers look around to see if a known face is sharing the ride before settling down with a telephone, ipad, newspaper or some office work. Gently rocking, the train departs and settles soon on a well known track, rhythm and tune.   With a soft but intense high note the wheels whistle on the steel tracks to a high crescendo.  At hundred and forty eight kilometres per hour we fly along to the next stop on this rack.  Many if not most of the walls lining the railroad have graffiti art on it, colourful and with different styles.  Cold autumn weather presents the passing countryside with patches of yellow, orange, brown or still some green bush as it rolls by.  Many places the trees are already stripped bare from any leaves which for the time being, still beautify the landscape with a carpet on the ground of warm and rich autumn colours.  A yellow and blue train flashes by in the opposite direction, shaking the trains slightly with their airstreams meeting and pushing, and blotches out sight from the window for a few seconds.  Soon after, our train reduces speed and a car park packed to the brim comes in sight.  Many stands of parked bicycles, ten in a row, follow and then the rows of closed bicycle containers.  Continuously our train paces down in speed and sound.  It shunts on the rails with metal screeching like a cat scratches its nails in lamentation on a glass windowpane.  We approach the Houten station.  Super futuristic with clear glass dome roof and clear tunnels on a shiny steel structure it could well have been the docking station in a Startrek movie with it’s décor of crisp, clear, clean – no frills, streamlined, modern and fast on the eye and mind. The train stops.  Whistle sounds.  Doors open.  People step in and out. Whistles - bells - closing doors - five minutes gone and the train pulls out of the station.

Travelling again

I could rely on the best of friends to pick me up at the day of my departure from New Zealand.  Not only did they ferry me and my heavy bag across the Kerikeri River, they also dropped me at the bus and waved me goodbye.  It is wonderful to feel so ‘at home’ in a country where one is only a visitor.  On the bus I met an interesting marine cadet and in Auckland I was welcomed into the lives of new friends.  People whom we’ve met during one of my book signings in Kerikeri.  Their spontaneous friendliness mirrors that of most New Zealanders.  For me the time with them was food for my soul. I was honoured to share a few hours with a great artist and explore and appreciate new ideas, values and customs.  Another time to say: Mi  sa le (I'll return).  The flights to HongKong and Amsterdam were good but tiring.  I loved the golden spider webs of townships on the ground as we approached the Netherlands in the dark early morning night sky.  The old antique ones with story figures in them were easily distinguishable from the modern ones with square, straight and round lines.  Now I’m basking in the welcome of my in-laws.  Eelco has off loaded their load of steal rolls in Turkey and are loading at the moment a shipment of soda to be delivered in Spain. 

September'11

Eelco has had a productive time in Holland.  First he could visit with his mom and did little maintenance chores for her like all good sons do for their mums.  And then he attended a Ship Security Officer course to add yet another paper to his file.   His captain job waited for him and he boarded m/v Jeanette in Terneuzen.  From there they went on anchor out of Zeeland, in the south of Holland.  Freight however is slow for the time being.  In the meantime weather is not the best.  Very windy and rainy conditions with poor holding ground makes dragging a constant and frustrating issue.  Mylady here in NZ are also experiencing gale conditions but we are surviving well.

NORTHLAND AUG’11

Mylady visited many of her old haunts and enjoyed it just the same.  It is winter.  The air is brisk and smoky cold.  Mostly the vision is clear.  There are very few boats out on the water.  I was hoping to pick up some scallop shells but where there used to be aren’t any more.  Bad luck.  Will have to keep our eyes open for some.  I use the shells to put photos inside as most of you know.    Well we have settled between our pile moorings on the Kerikeri River and have been busy to prepare for Mylady’s winter sleep.  Time flew past as always and it was time to jump into our hired car and have a look how the north of the Northland looks like.  We loved it.  The west coast is rugged.  Ninety mile beach stretches as far as the eye can see.  It was cold.  The ranges were beautiful and Maori presence everywhere.  Not a single car on the road.  When it rained the mist rolled down from the sky and settled ON the roads and covered the landscape to a no-see.  Piha on the west coast of Auckland was great.  The road to there a zigzag disaster, blinded with fog.  And then the big metal bird flew Eelco far away from me.  It is freezing cold.

TASMAN SEA JULY ‘11

We left Australia in front of bad weather coming. We knew it. The advantage was that we would be on the topside of the low pressure system making use of favourable wind directions for half of the way. Well the low caught up with us three days out of Coffs Harbour. Humongous seas chased us. Wind was horrific but direction was good. Thus, we survived it well. The rest of the trip we had unexpected favourable winds or no wind and relatively calm seas. We even had lovely sunshine and not hazy skies when we passed the top of New Zealand. So for the first time after having been here many times, we actually had a beautiful clear panoramic view of the northern tip of New Zealand with the lighthouse at Cape Reinga balancing on the highest, sharpest point of steep ranges.
Thanks for all the messages that came in. We appreciate.

YAMBA, Clarence River, NSW, OZ

We have avoided Yamba for two years. The channel to get there goes around tight hairpin bends and over worrying shallows, hugging small islands closely in other places. My bravery to be on the water do not need to get stuck somewhere in the mud. Two years ago we bumped over some boulders here on the Clarence River and that event seriously rocked my ‘security’. How the fishing fleet of Yamba comes and goes is something I just don’t even want to know about – practising my ostrich head-in-the-sand approach. But guilt for being here and not explore, which goes against the grain of being a tourist, made us decide to try it. Then during our last social visit with another cruising yacht in Iluka, they mentioned with detail how a friend of theirs dragged numerous times at Yamba. Oops, that meant poor holding – and a strong blow was predicted for two days. ‘Maybe we shouldn’t go.’ ‘What the heck, we just go’ the boss man said. I stayed below decks busying myself with all kinds of nothing in the galley during our trip to Yamba, to prevent being confronted with my what-ifs. Only once did we plough through the mud when we gave way to the ferry and left the channel. When we anchored further up the narrow channel, the anchor gripped immediately the sticky mud and we stayed put for a few days. We were in Yamba after all, and enjoyed the climb to the lighthouse and looking over the coastline dotted with surfers. We also supported a local dentistry once again.

Maclean, Clarence River, NSW, Australia

It rained all day the previous two days so the grey drizzles early morning was but a mere continuation of the weather pattern. Between two bouts of more misty rain coming down, we packed the dinghy and hurried to shore. A beautiful White Heron waded in the shallows. Atop a close-by tree sat a Brahminy Kite with his contrasting white chest and warm red-brown wings, turning his head to face us over his back. On the shore Magpies and Butcher Birds chattered happily. All the birds were at peace with the rainy conditions. We continued on to our first book signing.

Red moon

The Clarence River is flooding. We listened during the night to the tree stumps and debris scratching MYLADY'S hull as it pushes by on their way down river. The water is liquid mud - chocolate brown. Due to the fast running current, the car ferry at Lawrence is also out of service. Very early this morning the total eclipse of the moon was grand to see. I wonder how often this occurs?

Broken Bay OZ

BROKEN BAY where the giant Hawkesbury River with its many tributaries meets the see. Wedge-tailed Eagles glide with hunting eyes along all the creeks. And many Sea-Eagles perch in water-side trees, waiting. In the sandy shallows small stingrays hover motionless just above the bottom. Schools of tiny fish regularly go running on the water in a silver cloud when the hunters are about. There is wind but somehow it seems to blow over the high mountains around us. Down here in the creeks the reflections mirror the grandest paintings. Winter is creeping closer. We have loved living in Broken Bay.

Sydney

It was overcastted. The light was soft yet warm. A magnificent, colourful weathered rock wall rose vertical out from sea. On top of it peeped double storey houses over the edge - all for a view over the sea. Behind it, the landmass of Australia dozed in yet another rain shower for yet another day. On the sea side of the wall, vines and salt loving plants thrived on the tiny terraces of the eroded stone. It looked just like a Mediterranean setting. We've arrived in Sydney. In Spring Cove the youngsters dive-bombed off the fenced-off cliffs for a swim and the old pier had tired-less fishermen all hours of the day and night. In the dark their lures glowed. Manly was the first place where I had the feeling that if I had to live in a city, I could do it here. A family kind-o-feeling caught me. It felt as if the people themselves enjoy their place. The Spit Bridge opened for us and into peaceful Sugarloaf Bay we went. It's a small nature reserve amongst city high-rises and compact urban development. There might be one other boat sharing the anchorage with us. But then starts weekend and the place turns into buddy-boat-bay with numerous gin palaces and yachts gathering for a who's who. Crows laugh. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos make the wildest racket at dusk. Fish jump constantly and at night, owls hoo-hoo.

The place of TOM the ORCA

We have arrived in Eden on the New South Wales coast of Australia. The time we’ve spent at Flinders Island north of Tasmania and Deal Island was FANTASTIC! Bass Strait gave us something of everything in fair amounts. The chiming song of the bellbirds here in Eden is fascinating and beautiful. Dolphins play around the boat and little penguins dive and paddle between us and the shore bobbing their heads up as if asking ‘Hey big one, what’s up?’ Yes, sharks and seals join the party. No, we don’t swim. Our current project is to make a cover for the dinghy from old sail. Every afternoon we go to the beach for some healthy exercise and then we check our progress when we fit the cover. (There’s light at the end of the tunnel. / Wij hebben de lek amper boven. / Ons is al oor die hond se rug.) Today a lot of roads are closed due to flooding. Yes, we are also getting drenched by pelting rain. That means going to shore is not a good option. With all this rainwater donated to us, we try and make the best of it. That means washing …. We feel so ‘settled’...

Beautiful Deal Island

The bad weather is gone, temporarily. We explored the west coast and north coast of Flinders Island in the quite period after the gale. Roydon Island was our best liked anchorage so we returned there for some quiet time before hopping over to Deal Island. We are now in beautiful Winter Cove on the east side of Deal. The rocks and mountains are majestically here.

Blowing a gale

We're exhausted. The onslaught of noise from the wind on our sanity is tremendous. In the last 36 hours we had one hour relieve from the 70 -90 km/h winds. For a time it gusted regularly to a screaming 100km/h. In the reprieve period it went down to 50-65 km/h. The rain flies horizontally. We're waiting out this bad wet weather in Lady Barron, Flinders Island, Tasmania. It is a strong tidal port. Many hours we are broadside between the current and strong wind. Then we sail zigzag behind the mooring, canting heavily. According the forecast it would continue for at least 24 hours more. We are at this moment in a period of screaming 100km/h winds again. And on the weather map the tropical cyclone Dianne is charging down south on the west coast of OZ and will bring more of this bad weather in the following days for us. I guess we are experiencing what Tasmania is associated with - the Roaring Forties. We are well. Mylady is a tough girl. Eelco is completing the insulation project and I pray.

Don't worry

Dear friends, if ever we have wondered if anybody is visiting our website, then we wonder no more. A very big THANK YOU to EVERYBODY who have dropped us a line. We just want to let you all know that we are well. The disaster floods in Australia, including Tasmania, are not affecting us too bad. We are currently 'settled' at Maria Island with lots of good hiding places from the strong winds and rain. Our home is cosy and floating and the anchor is doing a proper job.

Liewe familie en vriende, ons wil maar net sê dit gaan goed met ons. Mylady dryf, die anker doen goeie werk en ons is gesond. Huidiglik is ons adres, Maria Eiland, Tasmania. Die dakkies vang al die water en ons kan weer die was doen met vars water.

Hallo luitjes, als jullie je afvragen hoe het met ons gaat , willen wij net laten weten, als ben wel aanboord Mylady. Vies weer beteken veel tijd voor klussen en prutsen en dat vinden we niet erg, eigenlijk heerlijk.

Kiep - Kiep

It was about two weeks since we last had the possibility to shop. So when we arrived safely in Nubeena and were sure the anchor was set well, we immediately went ashore. Something meaty was high on our wish list. And at the little shop we became the owners of a massive frozen chicken. Back on Mylady we planned with eager anticipation the braai for the following evening. The weather was looking promising, our first brew since we're back was ready for the taste and our mouths were watering. Our job the next day was to unpack the bilge which is a big storage place for me and then to chop any rust on the keel frame away and afterwards I painted it with a rust converter - back breaking work. We deserved a braai and a beer. The barbecue smoke curled enticingly and the sizzling sounds were music to our ears. The big moment arrived. The table was set and the side dishes ready. "Tra-la-la-la" the Barbie lid was lifted and we admired the golden grilled chicken. Eelco speared it with the meatfork and lifted it onto a plate. Horror struck. Frozen for a moment in time Eelco stood looking down passed the barbecue, before he started swearing like a sailor. I couldn't see and didn't know what happened but it was crystal clear something was very wrong. For a moment I wondered if the container with our gasbottle for the stove which is in close proximity of the barbecue got burned, or maybe the dinghy that was swinging behind. Eelco got control over himself. He wriggled all of his giantness with amazing speed out of the tight corners of the full cockpit and jumped into the dinghy while calling "it is still floating!" I immediately started to undo the dinghy painter but that seemed not necessary. Leaning out from the dinghy he fished out our lovely grilled chicken floating by! With the prized chicken held in both his hands we started laughing. It was a great, man overboard, exercise. The effort was worth it - our sea-chick tasted superb. It was an excellent way to say good-bye to the old year of 2010.

ROLLING THUMBS

'What are you doing all day?' The well known question asked by almost everyone.
Officially we are just rolling our thumbs, wondering 'what shall we do today?'
Well, since we are back on MYLADY we've needed time to get use to the cold and wet. Officially it is summer here in Tassie. A few locals have to proof it by wearing shorts and t-shirts. For this African lady, 18 or 20 degrees Celcius for a max with cold front after cold front racing over us, isn't summer. But I have re-arranged my wardrobe to get the summery things more in reach.
We have been refitting MYLADY whilst on anchor. It was time to do something about the leaking old dodger and we've replaced it now by adding a solid wooden second storey to our home. There were only two stipulations. It must accommodate two solar panels and it should not obstruct the handrails. However, it depleted the budget, lost old and gained new friendships, diminished our precious time and consumed our sanity. The result is perfect. We have more dry space and lots of storage possibility. I am even allowed two build-in pot plant containers for the parsley and spinach (they though have a hard time). And the ropes now also have to serve as decoration when not at work. We can even catch water from its roof.
Whilst we had to wait for the epoxy to dry in between jobs, Eelco took the pulpit off the bow and hacked away at the corroded aluminium rust. Then the repair and paint job followed.
We had to shorten and change the sun-roof-cum-rainwater-catcher to fit the new dodger and cockpit. The boatshed (forward cabin) had to be re-arranged in order to find stuff. All the extra water in the aft berth storage was circulated. The ballast of charts (900+) were sorted, organized and minimized. We played the maddening puzzle of provisioning. And in between we even tried to do our actual job - being tourists. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip to beautiful Lake Pedder and surrounds. The trees, bush and field were in bloom. Rivers ran and dams were full. At the Styx River the magnificent Big Trees were impressive. Warned of tiger snakes near Queenstown and camped with the wild wallabies on the edge of Great Lake. Wadamana museum was the unexpected cherry on our holiday cake. Swift parrots dazzled us with their curiosity and beauty on the East Coast.
At the moment we are in Cloudy Bay on the southern tip of Bruny Island here in Tasmania. It is lovely to listen to a real reef again and not a highway reef. Only a fisherman dares to brave the unstable weather conditions and shares the waters with us.
WE WISH BLESSINGS OF GOOD HEALTH, WEALTH, LOVE AND LAUGHTER UPON YOU.
Best wishes for every tomorrow.
With fond memories, Mi-sA-lê and Eelco dec2010

back on MYLADY

We've been back in Cygnet, Tasmania for about two months now. One day is cold, one day warm, one day wet and most days full with spring blossoms. We are replacing our dodger with a fixed one. It's coming along just fine. A cold front came over this afternoon. Soft and white like a blanket of down the Artic cold crept over the hills and covered the houses and valleys. The strong windshift swung MYLADY around and whipped up a choppy sea. MYLADY is hanging on to her anchor once again. It's freezing - time to fire up the diesel heater.

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Anet and Flinterrachel

Eelco's trips across the Atlantic on m/v Anet were all in good weather. Off loading in Skikda, Algeria went okay. The only problem was the self help service of the dock crew. It was not nice to play policeman all the time. From North Africa they went to Gibraltar where m/v Anet had to get urgent repairs done. The sad fact is the Anet is a brand new ship. It only came in service this year, Eelco was the first relieve crew. Unfortunately not half of the two page list of warranty problems was attended to.

Their next port was Bilbao in Spain. There the ship went into a charter contract of 13 months. It was weekend and it was the soccer world cup final. The Spanish celebrated their win properly. It meant the crew of m/v Anet had a few days off. The best of this luxury was that they could actually go into town, in contrast to normal 'safety' procedure of guarding off the dock and confining ships crew. The weather was summery perfect for a tourist trip to town and the bridge with the hanging ferry. It is the oldest of its kind in the world. Close to the waterfront was a small plain with a few trees. There the local people enjoyed a dance on the typical Spanish entertainment. To crown his outing Eelco came across a cultural, dance performance of about ten countries, just somewhere in the open on a street close to another plain. He had an enjoyable festive time there. They loaded rolls of steel wire which required tender handling and delivered it in New Orleans, USA for use in the automotive industry. Here Eelco was relieved and flew back to Holland.

The next day he was on his way again to m/v Flinterrachel in Ceuta, Spanish enclave in Morocco just opposite Gibraltar. Their freight was fluorspar and their destiny Berdyansk in Ukraine. Their route took them over the Mediterranean Sea through the Dardanelle into the Sea of Marmara past Istanbul in Turkey through the Bosporus into the Black Sea. Here the water traffic was extremely crowded but the sights of the mosques still clear. They past Kerg into the Sea of Azov and then on to Berdyansk. It was a ten day trip in total with calm summer weather. Rules, regulations and customs had their own time and accounts. After some slack time, they loaded sunflower produce for animal feed bound for Ashdod in the supposed land of milk and honey. Enroute to Israel Eelco was relieved in Istanbul where immigration and customs were quick and efficient.

With freedom chips in his pocket, it was time to go home.

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Texas Visit

Corpus Christi, in Texas USA, is a small city at the coast in the Gulf of Mexico. The seawater temperature is warm and it is the ideal place to cool off from the pressing humidity heat and sweat of most every day. At the beach, on a weekend, the cars are lined one next to the other in a never ending row with their rears facing the ocean and the trunk doors open. People just enjoy themselves - cooling in the water, basking in the sun or relaxing under a shade umbrella with their feet in the water with plenty to quench the thirst and fill the stomach. Sandcastles and horses with riders make the picture of bliss, complete.

Corpus has a city centre, but for the rest, is spread out and has a small town appearance. It doesn't make for easy walking to do anything. The city bus stop has no time tables and is not that regular to wait for the next one. I saw one other pedestrian - an Indian woman. One Sunday morning as we were driving around we saw a big 'warehouse' where a constant stream of cars were arriving. To satisfy our curiosity we went to look. Traffic officers were regulating the traffic. We eventually got a parking spot way in the back. Like a colony of ants people were walking to and from the building. As we approached, life pulsed towards us. Friendly smiles, lots of people, a very big building with a rock concert in full swing in the enormous theatre where four stadium size TV screens helped to make things visible. Later Bill, a down to earth man, a people's man, a great pastor, delivered his message. Needless to say we had such a good time in the Bay Drive Fellowship we went every Sunday.

We pitched a tent on the beach and watched the release of sea turtle hatchlings. Another time we pitched our tent in the bush and watched the fireflies at night. When the rain hosed down with thunder and levelling wind we were impressed at our stead-vast and not leaking tent dwelling for the night. Bambi deer gave great excitement the next morning to my little granddaughter.

Corpus gets a lot of strong wind and rain and the backlash from passing hurricanes. It was such a day when I left. It was pouring for three days already. Roads were flooded and closed. Driving went at snails pace because visibility was almost zero and water puddles on the road a constant barrier. As soon as we left the coastal-belt behind, the weather improved.

It was good to spend time with my son. It was great to meet my granddaughter. She loves to hunt (we tracked the birds or ants or whatever we could lay our eyes on when we went for our walk to the park). She loves to ballet. She loves stories and has hair like me. She's smart, pretty, difficult and special - granny's girl (Ouma se meisiekind).

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America & m/v Anet

The day we left MYLADY for her winter sleep in Cygnet Tasmania, it was a cold and clear, calm morning. In the dark and unfortunately for us with an extreme low tide, we struggled through the mud with our baggage. It went well, thank God. Could you imagine if one of us should have fallen? Maggie, a friendly local, gave us a lift to Hobart - an hours drive away. Soon we were off to Melbourne. Fog filled the valleys below like soft feathery down. But fortunately the skies were clear. In Melbourne where we overnighted, we had an exciting exploring afternoon between and with decendants of Greek, Italian and Turkish immigrants. 18 May we both flew in different directions.
Eelco went on his way to earn us some freedom chips. That morning before we left the hotel it was still on the tv-news that Schipol airport was closed due to the ash cloud from Iceland. But he first flew to Kuala Lumpur, giving the ash time to clear, and from there to Amsterdam. In Holland he had a day to say hello to his mum and finalize some medical paperwork before leaving the following day to Mexico where he joined his ship m/v ANET.
The ANET is Dutch owned and 9000 tonnes dw. It is 144m long and 19m wide with two cranes on deck. The crew of eleven is mostly dutch with a few Fillipines. The ship is new, a model 2010, and carry general cargo. In Santa Crux, Mexico, they loaded drilling pipes for Algeria. Three days out of port on their way to Africa, the orders came to turn around and head for Houston. More lucky packets of all shapes and sizes were loaded in Houston also for Algeria. Heavy and filled to the brim they sat course for Africa again. With the last contact we had, they had good weather and calm seas. The ship has, in line with modern times, internet onboard, twenty-four-seven. But out on the ocean that seems to be only whenever the satelites are available and not hiding. At the time of writing cyber contact between me and his ship has been out for days.
Mi-sá-le is in Corpus Christi, Texas America. I'm visiting my son and granddaughter. And only God knows how precious this time is for me. I've missed my children so much.

THE HUON OF REFLECTIONS

We came up the Huon River with squally wind and rain. The wind was southwest to westerly. We were tacking and beating hard but the bullets of wind-walls chasing down the river made sailing tough. Eventually we made it into Port Huon and dropped the hook. The wind didn't soften its tone, on the contrary. It gusted thirty five knots (70km/h). By night time we set a second anchor. MYLADY our ocean going craft and home, danced the night away on the port-to-starboard-and-back tune and we could sleep in peace.

The wind was still asleep when we woke up the next morn in Port Huon. We weighed the anchors which were stuck solid in the bottom. Then motored slowly up the river, like walking on eggs, let's not get stuck in the mudbanks. Close to the Wooden Boat Centre we anchored in the river in front of Franklin. We came for the festival but were a week early. So we stayed and occupied ourselves with some home improvements and maintenance.

We enjoyed the fresh pears we could buy on the street. And I cried when witnessing the sad story of the 126 year old Belle Brandon wooden boat being dragged to her grave. Once upon a time, she also braved the seas. The festival gave us a look into local life. We had a superb salmon and brie woodfired pizza - the taste still lingers in my memory. And the graceful black swans greeted us inquisitively every evening on their way to bed.

It was a chilly nine degrees when we left in the morning. Twelve days after our planned two day visit. Franklin mirrored on the windless river. Our nervousness for running aground on the shallows in the Huon were now gone and with the necessary lookout we motored down the river of reflections.

Later the afternoon clouds atop a smoke drew our attention to the sky. It was cold. There were two presumably controlled big fires directly behind the first hill close to us. Like atomic clouds it boiled, brewed and foamed. Up there where the fiery hot, met the cold and humid. Bigger cauliflower-clouds engulfed the smaller ones and then mellowed into a dark brown smoke blanket, streaming out to sea. Two more fires to the west also towered high. Daylight became shadowed and fire danced sadly in golden reflections on the Huon. All of the next day we sailed with smoke veiled vision and smothering lungs.

The seasons have turned and the clock set back. There is a bite in the air and the flames in the heater crackle cosily. We are impressed with our insulation job of MYLADY. And will give her a good clean-up before settling for the winter in Cygnet here on the south-east coast of Tasmania.

We hope you all are well and wishing you the best. Do drop us a line in your spare time.
Sincerely, Mi-sá-lê and Eelco

Magpies

TASMANIA - BRUNI ISLAND - Magpies with their melodious singing wake us in the morning.
The sun is hot and the wind chilly. Out of the wind the dress is tropical clothing and in the breeze we wear sweaters. Evenings the warm glows of the oil lanterns create cosy temps and atmosphere. It is even warm enough to keep the brew bubbling. Weather is settled and the people are friendly and helpful. Sailboats are active on the water and we have neighbours where ever we anchor. Shags feed around MYLADY, peeping out of the water at us curiously. The chores aboard are pleasure and fun. Tooth ache is part of life and a budget destroyer. But the giant smiles again.
When the sun sets, the crows croak a continual 'good-night' lullaby in stereo.
We hope you are well. Regards. Mi-sá-le & Eelco

Tasmania '10

TASMANIA The days around Christmas were a little bit rough on us. We had bad weather, bad seas and bad progress. I prayed and Eelco sailed. A sleeping whale gave us a fright and the birds disappeared. When we were finally becalmed amidst the centre of a high pressure zone, we dropped sails, and slept. Awakening to a pink sunset sky that coloured the water around the boat a turquoise green we were rejuvenated and ready to tackle the rest of the trip.
There were big, fat, drilling, lifeless, odd coloured jellyfish drifting by. The air had a rotten smell. We were already on the Bass Strait plateau and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was on and the front runners in our vicinity. Also the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race was on. We actually saw a handful of these boats.
We had a hard to windward run all the way over Bass Strait. The currents created rough and high seas. Our progress was fair. The recently repaired jib, very costly, ripped with a hollow 'thud'. Fortunately only the bottom part, and we could roll a reef and continued. Rips and head winds and no room between the islands to tack pushed us onto a lee shore. When we finally got out of that mess, the wind died. With gale force wind we arrived the next morning of 30 Dec '09 in Beauty Point, Tasmania, our port of entry after exactly three weeks at sea from Opua, New Zealand.
After a week of resting, greeting friends, stocking up and doing washing, it was time to move again.
The plan is to cruise Tasmanian waters this season. Weather may rule otherwise. Crossing Banks Strait between Flinders Island and Tassy a wind bullet smacked us and thoroughly blew the again repaired jib with a loud 'bang' to pieces. At the moment we are trying to order a new sail with the means of our shortwave email. Internet is not readily available on or around the water. We got lured into a small bay by beautiful rock colours and formations - and got chased out by terrible gusts. Trying to weigh the anchor the anchor winch busted an oil seal. Yes, below decks. The mess and stench of oil burning on the electro motor were unreal. In the next two days Eelco had to lift the 80m of chain plus anchor five times on deck while 50kn /100km winds (only half of that was predicted) had us dragging repeatedly. Truck-tyre-sized jellyfish thrived in the bay north of Maria Island.
Here in historical Port Arthur we are kind-of stuck for the moment. Will just have to wait till the wind turn favourable again and we can move to the area around Bruny Island further south and west. Good for MYLADY though, chores getting done.
Cruising Tasmaina is not cruising at all. It is hanging on! Wind forever rules one's life unpredictably. Cold and wet fronts keep us cold and wet. Sailing is costly and hard work. I get the feeling that many a convict might have experienced - miserable. A sunshine moment without wind I sceptically enjoy. Have I mentioned the awe-inspiring organ pipes towering hundreds of meters straight from the seafloor into the sky? In some places they have toppled and crumbled in square rocks strewn over a slope. Have I told you about the universal peace on earth just before sunrise? And the terrible bush fire that covered us in smoke and soot. Friendly smiling dolphins, curious looking seals and the graceful beggar birds are our regular companions.
Tasmania = Impressive.

A WHITE CHRISTMAS '09

White capped mountains are following us here on the Tasman Sea. Blue-black water diamonds strung up by the wind and white foam sparkle on our x-mas tree. The MYLADY sleigh is sailing gleefully behind the little white storm sail-deer. Sailor Santa sits his (and mine) watch with dutiful involvement. And the auto steer keeps humming to x-mas tunes while correcting and re-directing over the watery dunes.
Dear friends,
We wish you and yours all of the very best. You are all, each and everyone, a special memory to us that we hold dear. Thanks for all the updates and little notes. It is food for the soul. Do take care. Share a smile. Be blessed.
We have left NZ mid Dec direction OZ and are still at sea. With fond recollections we greet you and hope to hear from you.
The MYLADY team; Eelco and MisA-le

Mi - like in Mick
sá - like in sun
lê - like in leg Mi-sá-lê (I'll return) emphasis on the middle syllable.

A gift for myself this Christmas, is a new name. Hopefully a name that all people can pronounce. Mi-sá-lê . I'll return. If not in body then in mind - to all the great places and people I've come to know. Mi-sá-lê .

For those who find Mi-sá-lê difficult they can call me by my official initials: A-M-K

When I was small, my dad would rock me on his knee after a long day's toil. Singing with tongue music added; "rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (developing in a high crescendo) r r r rietjie. (As long as the little reed stands in the water - in afrikaans) ending again with r r r r r r r r." From rietjie (small reed) came Riekie into being, the nick name I used for a long time of my life. When others started to degrade the love my parents bestowed on me by calling my Riek and other abbreviations, I decided to be known by one of my given names - a name I liked - Kowie.
The sound of 'Kowie' is sharp, yet watery soft and musical - like a clear crystal chant. Unfortunately, it is but a rare few others than the African tongue that can pronounce Kowie to sound like Kowie (Kue[r]vy) - the rushing waters melody that it is. And I don't want such a beautiful name to be pronounced in a manner that I can hardly recognize my name. Worst, I don't want to be participating, by accepting.

I'll return. If not in body then in mind - to all the great places and people I've come to know. Mi-sá-lê . Take care and be blessed.

THE TASMAN SEA AGAIN

DECEMBER 09 We left NZ in sunshine and light winds against us on 10 December. It took us thirty six hours to round Cape Reinga. Then we aimed for OZ between the Cape and the islands. Wrong decision. The current pushed us back to shore. Whatever little wind there was, was not enough to pull us safely through. The islands magnetic force was immense. We altered course back the north in and the next twenty four hours we snail-sailed an almost circumnavigation of Three Kings Islands.
When I got up Sunday morning 13 December, it was still - great powerful stillness. And it is not so often, in fact - seldom, quiet at sea. It was just before sunrise. Crimson, golden, gray and blue hues mingled with a few horizontal silvery striped streaks of cloud. There was not a thought of wind. The water was swaying without making a ripple. I drenched my soul with the spirit of the moment.
The sun came out with the Three Kings Islands looking kind-of-familiar from the other side. Softly the water started babbling like hearing a tiny stream in a short distance. The murmuring chime of water music sounded cathedral in this great stillness. A little later very light winds arrived at us and with that, the regular noise surrounding us in our daily lives, started. MYLADY began to creak and crackle as she moved in rhythm with the water and wind.
We had time to go on a creature safari. White button mushrooms drifted by. A flock of coin-sized see-through white circled jellyfish joined the parade passing MYLADY. Camera in hand we started our safari-watch. Needless to say, if the targets were not out of reach they were either too early or too late for the click of the shutter or on the other side of the boat. Rays of sun sparkled on the rainbow plankton in the water.
It was also a good day, being so calm, to take out half of the stitches on Eelco's chest. He was so nervous, but survived it. The other five stitches we left two days longer and were more difficult to remove on a then bouncing MYLADY. It ended well. The migraine I had must have been evoked by the threat of the atomic looking rain clouds with squalls from the previous night. The new tactic I'm using for my seasickness seems to work.
One afternoon, a pod of bottlenose dolphins speedily turned the sea surface white while dining. In their wake the seabirds gathered and waited patiently for any food scraps from the hunt. Last night again I listened inside the boat to the singing of the dolphins as they rode with us for a while. As yet we have not seen as many birds as we did when going to New Zealand in September.
We have been more than a week now at sea, goofing around here in the Tasman ditch. At first we rode the top of a high with gentle winds. Then we followed its tail-end and are making a big circle downwards to try and catch the top of the next high. Life is almost perfect as we sail along.
Take care.

NZ holiday

November '09 NEW ZEALAND
Magnificent views and a stillness one can hear. Majestic trees, covered with tender colourful grass and lichen. Awe inspiring mountains and gorges. Peaceful the cows and sheep, grazing green lawns. Trees, ferns and flowers pulse with new growth of life.
Birds chant, tease, mock and call on the tune of a waterfall.
Fierce the crashing waves over the teethed coastline, yet a playground the seal colony enjoy. Sedative is the sea, when lapping softly onto a sandy beach. A brightly painted hand sized rock on a pebbled shore read: Granddad rests here.
I loved it all, but maybe the mountains the most.
Some green, some barren and some covered with snow.
We had gorgeous sunshine, freezing cold, pouring rain and good health.
New Zealand - what a place.
We enjoy. Take care and be blessed.
From the Mylady team.

Coming across the Tasman Sea (part 2)

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

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