The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson
Sailing Yacht Truce
Groundhog Day! Every day I awake to the same scenery and same radio program. We are now into week five of the Covid lockdown, it’s really starting to become boring. Beam me up Scottie! Our wonderful government is promising we can go from level 4 to level 3 lockdown next week. Level 3 means that... Continue Reading →
Another day in Lockdown, now its three weeks - it feels like three months. I find I keep humming the Freddy Mercury lyrics ‘I’m going slightly mad’. On the positive side, there must be worse places to be locked down. Outside my back door I have the Marlborough Sounds in all their glory all to... Continue Reading →
Having sat through a dreary overcast day in Long Bay I decided that on Wednesday I would head into Havelock Marina and top up on water, diesel and get some fresh provisions on board. Havelock is a small town but has a Four Square store where all essential groceries can be obtained. To make sure... Continue Reading →
I shifted from the uninspiring Maori Bay on Saturday morning and moved into Kenepuru Sound, there I found a good anchorage in Long bay. This anchorage has good shelter but is open to the south. However, if there is a strong blow from the south, I can get good shelter just around the corner in... Continue Reading →
Thursday after lunch I headed out from Richmond Bay, moved down Pelorus Sound and brought up in Jacobs Bay, a run of ten miles. Once securely moored in Jacobs Bay I went ashore in the dinghy for a walk. I was pleasantly surprised to find a camp site, toilet and water tap. The water is... Continue Reading →
One week of Coronavirus lock down completed. Isolation in my bubble continues. It’s a lonely existence but could be worse. I am in an area of outstanding natural beauty, healthy, have a good stock of food on board and am self-sufficient. This morning I decided to stay another day in Richmond Bay, it’s a nice... Continue Reading →
Another peaceful night and I had a civilised breakfast before moving out from Burney’s Beach and heading up Queen Charlette Sound. There was a nice S’ly breeze from astern. We sailed up the sound and around Cape Jackson with the yankee, doing 4 or 5 knots all the way. The breeze stayed with us past... Continue Reading →
This morning, the day opened with low cloud, light rain and a slight S’ly breeze. I had a perfect sleep last night and feel refreshed this morning. After breakfast I picked up the anchor and sailed out of Double Bay under staysail. The breeze was very light, just enough to keep us moving along up... Continue Reading →
Sunday lunch time I departed from Missionary Bay. Weather still not nice with low cloud and rain showers. Destination is Double Bay on Queen Charlotte Sound. This bay looks like providing good shelter from the south and is on the route to Pelorus Sound, my final destination. A stiff wind took us out of the... Continue Reading →
Last night was a shocker. Not much sleep possible as very strong 50 knot plus gusts hit us from all sides. Wind bombs blasted down from the surrounding hills into the anchorage. A real wind bowl. Oh, and it rained all night as well. The rain has done a good job of washing the salt... Continue Reading →
The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson 