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28:11:23S, 174:59:37E

Yesterday was a long hard slog. The wind was light and the sea calm so perfect conditions for Simon to be hoisted up the mast to re-lead the Genoa halyard using the Spinnaker block at the top of the mast. There was no way we could attempt to feed a new mouse and line through the mast. It took 2 attempts but at last it was OK. Next to hoist the sail. It was a lot easier than we expected but still the whole exercise took most of the day. A well deserved beer for happy hour to celebrate.

38:05:44S, 172:55:65E

Somewhere down in the fiords we lost our bowthruster. We didn’t hear or feel a thing, which is surprising since what ever we sucked in removed the entire set of blades. Once back in Nelson we were able to track down and replace it. I always did wonder what ever happened to the penguin.

The down side of wonderful summer weather is the light winds in the centre of the high pressure systems. We are currently motor-sailing up the West Coast of the North Island. We’ve never seen the Tasman sea so calm and this has given us the opportunity to do some Baking. Errol wanted upside down plum muffins. The recipe called for baking powder which I didn’t have so we improvised using lemonade instead. They certainly rose to the occasion.

We are back in Nelson having flown over to Sydney where our “little” Duet was moored. We are very happy to announce that she has a new owner, Gero who will be taking her over in May to begin his cruising life on board and the start of many adventures. We wish him many years of fair winds and happy cruising and know that if any of our sailing friends recognize the boat in some distant anchorage they will give Gero a warm welcome.

40:27:65S, 172:39:78E
Cape Farewell.

The wind swung around to the south and west, a perfect window for departure and sail up to Nelson. Once out of the sounds we set the sails and for the first 6 hours had a great sail up the coast enjoying the dramatic scenery. Continue reading Fiordland to Nelson, Cape Farewell

45:44:13S, 166:53:59E

Before the hunters came here in helicopters they had to rely on fishermen and a deer recovery ship. This ship was moored at the south western end of Cooper Island. All that remains is a mouldering dinghy parked high in the bushes and the mooring. The line looked sturdy enough to hold something twice the size of us. Looks can be deceptive. When the South Easter began to hoot down the cove we were getting too close to the shore. Fortunately it was still daylight and we made our escape.

45:41:29S, 166:34:06E
Cormorant Cove, Dusky Sound

Not much has changed in the last 238 years since Captain James Cook landed here, replenished Resolution with water and dined off crayfish. Instead of Maori paddling their wakas there are only to be found the occasional kayaker making their way around the sounds. If it weren’t for Marie of Bluff fisherman’s radio we would really feel as though we were back in the 18^th Century. Continue reading Cormorant Cove, Dusky Sound

45:18:06S, 166:58″60E

Milford sound is the most spectacular and impressive of all the sounds. It is also the most easily accessible by road and consequently on the tourist route. Sheer slab sided walls created by plate shifting movements thrust upwards. Raw and brutal edges hardly worn by wind and sea painted subtle shade of green of moss and bush. Some of the peaks are still snow capped and the snout of a glacier can be seen. Continue reading Duet II South Island, Thompson Sound

44:40:63S, 167:55:21E
Milford Sound.

A dramatic landscape of jagged peaks, glaciers and impressive waterfalls: this is the attraction of Fordland that draws us down here. From Nelson it’s some 400 miles once past Farewell spit with no where to stop on the way unless you are a fishing boat. Once there we knew that we could expect very little in the way of facilities. And also we knew that here lived and attacked the most ferocious sandflies in the southern hemisphere. Continue reading Duet II South Island, Milford Sound

Nelson 41 15 .5S, 173 16.9E

Is this the best-kept secret in New Zealand? The climate is wonderful, the sailing easy and the best vineyards in the country just a few kilometers away. If that isn’t enough, the boatie facilities and shopping is excellent. But I shouldn’t be mentioning this, as I should be keeping this to our selves. Continue reading Duet II South Island, Port Nelson

34 24’08S, 172 39′.56E
Saturday 12th January.

We left Whangaroa harbour early to make the most of a favourable tide up to North Cape. A fair wind sent us on our way reeling off the miles behind us. Duet is a real passage maker, we are getting used to 9 knots.

We rounded Cape Reinga at 1600 surrounded by shearwaters, petrels and prions swooping and fluttering on the waves. A couple of dolphins played with our bow wave for a while. Lucky us to be having such a great sail.