Tuesday November 21, 2000 en route Opua

We motored all night and at 0400 the sea was so glassy smooth, you could see the reflection of the stars in it. The wind shifted from south through southeast at less than 5 knots as we continued on. Paula started noting the water temperature as it is getting colder. Today at 0700 was 19.3C.

At 0830 we had six or more Common Dolphins playing around the boat for a little while and then later in the morning we were buzzed by a NZ Air Force Orion (identification courtesy of Milan who used to work for Lockheed). All this motoring has made the tank thirsty so Vlad added another 70L of diesel, leaving us with one 25 litrel container on deck. Vlad made bread in the afternoon. It was so cold in the boat he had to put the dough to rise in a sunny corner of the cockpit. Both of us are wearing sweatpants and sweaters, even in the daytime if the sun is not right on us. Paula, of course, wears turtle neck and vest as well, but Vlad is a hardier soul. Putting the diesel heater back in is going to be high on the list of Things To Do, when we get in to Opua. Dinner was the last two meat pies from Nuku’alofa, mushed up with more potatoes, carrots and a tin of stewed beef. Actually, it did not taste too bad.

Finally in the evening the promised northerly winds materialized and we were able to sail, putting up the pole to keep the yankee from flapping. We sailed along at 5 knots plus for the evening but then motored again after 2200 to keep our speed up. We have been warned that strong southwesterlies are possible on Thursday, so we are trying to get in as early as possible that day.

268 Miles to go to Opua.

Wednesday November 22, 2000 en route Opua

We turned the motor off for a while in the early morning and enjoyed the peace and quiet while it lasted, which was not long as it was back on by 0600. Water temperature at 0700 was 17.4C, down almost 2 degrees from yesterday. No swimming here! SINGLE MALT made it in to Tauranga today and said their last couple of days they had good sailing winds. Paula spent the afternoon filling in all the forms for Customs and updating the food list. We still have two eggs to eat and a few carrots. New Zealand is very strict regarding food imports and we expect to give up all our left over scraps of fresh vegetables.

We continued to do about 6 knots all day, wing on wing with the north wind continuing until nightfall. Seas were from astern and a bit uncomfortable as we were corkscrewing a bit. In the evening we motored again as the wind shifted into the west and dropped.

The propane bottle died in the middle of heating dinner (leftovers) and Vlad had to change to the larger tank. Of course this occurred when the waves were at their lumpiest.

133 miles to go to Opua.  Click here for Day eleven