First day of spring

Leaving Richmond

Friday evening the tide didn't serve until well after dark. Big spring tides usually mean driftwood, detritus from the forestry, so it's not so good steaming after dark. Leaving in the morning at this time of year can mean fog, so these are risks one has to manage. 

We elected to sail on the Saturday morning and as it happened there was fog, but by the time we were ready to sail around 9am it had already cleared. We steamed to Richmond and it was all very pleasant, we saw dolphins about a half mile to the west of our track, but we didn't give chase. We saw shearwaters further south than usual. We saw penguins at Tawero which is not unusual. Next day, Sunday, we steamed to Ferndale. 

The Monday was beautiful and we idled in the middle of a flat calm Kenepuru talking on the phone with Nina before heading in on the top of a big tide. Barometer 1025 mb or better the whole time. 60 nm in all.

Anzac Day cruise

Camp Bay, Bulwer

Duffers Reef

Johnson's Barge

Departed Havelock 1620 planning to go on Putanui North but it was occupied so we pressed on, just saving the light to Maori Bay. Quiet night and the morning dawned with thick fog typical of the time of year. Fog lifted and by 0930 we departed Maori Bay, by 1100 rounding at Maud Island and by 1220 all fast to PWM782 Homestead Bay Port Ligar. Namaste in company. Sunday we moved round to Camp Bay near Bulwer, Grape Escape in company. Monday we fished inside Duffers Reef and on Richmond Reef but the fishing was slow, got two cod that were keepers. Headed south at 1400 and arrived off Raetihi by 1630. Followed Isabella most of the way. Spent the Tuesday (Anzac Day) at Raetihi and got into Havelock at 1730. Stayed aboard. Beautiful autumn weather the whole five days.