May 12, not an easy start

We are in the midst of a gale with 20-30 knots of wind gusts to 40 knots. 

May 9, 2013

We are in a front with gales. bleh

May 9, 2013 We're off!

Off we go to Vanuatu.

May 4, 2013 Thunder, lightening and moas

We are experiencing a gully whomper with much lightening and thunder.  No time to have the boat with the tallest mast in the marina.  We don't. 

New Zealand facts:  New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma of any country in the world. 

There were 70 (according to Forest and Bird magazine) species of moa before the Polynesians/ Maori arrived and killed them all.  Wikipedia says there were 9 species – I wonder why the difference. 

Moa and giant Haast’s Eagle – both extinct by 1400 AD

Crake

From Wikipedia, the alleged Spotless Crake although I have never actually seen one.  Anyway, they are supposed to be in Vanuatu also.  We'll see.  Boden and Colby, Vince and Noelle and Sheryl and Troy will probably all sit down and one will come walking by while I am out fruitlessly searching.  We might see a Kagu in New Caledonia.  Now that is a bird you should google. 

Just 2 of several precious things we will miss while gone.  Colby, 8, grandson.  Niki, granddog

The grounding system has been tested - no stray currents, all OK.

Rigger: check

Windlass check

Prop shaft alignment check

Sails check

Customs check

Man Overboard (MOB) check

May 6, 2013

From Bob McDavitt, NZ weather angel:

L2 may clear off NZ on Thursday or Friday and that could then make a good weather pattern with a settling southerly flow for anyone looking to sail away from northern NZ.  Too early to tell at this stage what may happen during the remainder of such voyages.

Our other sources say “remainder of such voyages” should have SE trade winds – perfect.   

You’ve got to love living on a boat with Barry.  I quote: “I was just sitting here thinking about screw sizes.”  I actually did laugh out loud.  Then he proceeded to tell me all about screw sizes and how smart George Pruitt is.   

May 4, 2013

We are experiencing a gully whomper with much lightening and thunder.  No time to have the boat with the tallest mast in the marina.  We don't.

New Zealand facts:  New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma of any country in the world. 

There were 70 (according to Forest and Bird magazine) species of moa before the Polynesians/ Maori arrived and killed them all.  Wikipedia says there were 9 species – I wonder why the difference.

Moa and giant Haast’s Eagle – both extinct by 1400 AD