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Sorry All
Have had some time at sea without Internet access. NZ Telcom coverage not as good as they said they where. However ever very reasonable off the open coast line....
Yesterday 18/02/12 was an exciting start to the trip...waves very close together and taking on a little water to the point it was above the floor where we sleep and bags where stored. Had to make a dash for Picton with the thought of replacing main electric bilge pump. After clearing auxiliary pumps and valves and clearing water from the bilges we had time to re evaluate the situation. We also found we were having a lot of low voltage problems and the house bateries were dead flat. Further investigation identified fauty battery lead connections. Putting this all together along with laptops not working and fixing the connections all equipment was back to normal.
We steamed away from Picton and headed for the Western Approaches to Cook Strait. We arived at Rangitoto Islands in the afternoon and tried a spot of fishing. While we were there we tried to crank up the auxiliary power gen-set sitting up on the bow. Fired straight away then stalled. Oh b*****! After a couple of tries found oil dripping from muffler. I know what that is ...I remmeber someone saying they will turn the fuel off and it appears they may have turned it on! The sump was now full of petrol. After draining the motor and replacing oils and fuel and spark plug clean she started straight away with grey smoke billowing everywhere.
We then headed for rounding Stephens Island for Farewell Cape to head down the West Coast of NZ South Island. When we reched the top of Stephens Island we were greated by 2-3 metre rolling seas with white caps which were only 2 -3 metres appart and getting wors. We decided it would be too uncomfortable to continue the night in this slop and headed for Admiralty Bay and caught couta on the way and stopped in Catherine Bay where we caught some snapper and carpet shark. It was very tranquil and the sceenery was to be worth paying for...
We got a nights sleep and headed off in the morning (19/02/12) at 0900 hours and headed for French Pass making up for lost time instead of rounding Stephens Island. The pass is known for its reefs and fast running tides (5 - 8 knots). We contacted some locals and they said not to worry just get there when the tied is running with you and it will spit you out the other side. Well we got there at 1030 hours (an hour early) and yep...it spat us out the other side. Lucky it was on high tide otherwise not so inviting on low tide when you can see all the jaggeed reefs.
We then headed up Tasman Bay for Farewell Spit and picked up a Bluefin on the way. Yum...I know whats for dinner tonight.
After rounding Farewell Spit we sat back and enjoyed another great meal prepared by Marty (effectionately known as the kitchen b****). The meal consisted of Salami, tomato and cheese on crackers followed by bluefin sushimi with soy and wassabi sauce, red pickled bell pepers, cucumber and tomatos. The main dish included BBQ bluefin chunks, steamed rice, garden salad with saviong blanc and pinot gris wine mixed with extra virgin olive oil for dressing. This was topped off with a glass of the saviong blanc and pinot gris, Good NZ wine...got a box for $9NZD a bottle from Montana Wines. As an old frien of mine would say 'its big on the nose, crisp in the ear,and like a cracker in the yapper'.
Dont forget to look for the next blog.
- comments
Pam Wilson Wow, that does sound like an exciting start to the trip, but you all seem to be reaping the rewards with great tucker and scenery. That's a big grin you are wearing in the photo Marty! Have fun, Poppy. Reece and Kai are keen to see the fish you catch... can't see how on earth they are going to beat the big monsters you normally catch though.
Corliss Wagstaff I'd love to be an inconspicuous fly on the wall so to speak, listening to the 4 grumpy men and the dialogue between you all. This all sounds like real fun and the kai real good, while I'm eating mince on toast. Look out Alan you are out numbered, but this could be a good book in the making or even a film. Keep it up I'm watching.