The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson
Sailing Yacht Truce
This morning all was peaceful in Whangaroa Harbour, flat calm, quiet and clear skies. I sat in the cockpit with an early morning cup of tea and savoured the tranquillity as the sun rose above the hills. This the best time of the day.
Eager to vacate the Bay of Islands and boats with blue underwater lights I was up early. The sky was still grey overcast and threatening but the wind looked steady. I had considered towing the dinghy but knew that sods law would come into play and lead to disaster, the dinghy and outboard were securely stowed on deck for the passage to Whangaroa.
After a quiet night at Whangamumu Harbour and a leisurely breakfast we weighed anchor and headed out into a decent swell and confused sea. Once clear of the harbour things sorted themselves out and we sailed on a brisk S’Wly breeze up to and around Cape Brett. From there it was plain sailing all the way down into the Bay of Islands, the sun came out, it started to feel like summer had arrived.
First light in Whangaroa and it was hosing down, biblical style rain. I Let go of the mooring and motored down the harbour, slowly, the rain was so heavy visibility was reduced to just a few boat lengths. Once at the harbour entrance the rain reduced, replaced by a brisk NW’ly wind and lumpy sea.... Continue Reading →
Another wonderful sleeping night. Awoke this morning refreshed and looked out to a peaceful calm anchorage. Lots of boats in the anchorage, many of them preparing for a day’s fishing. We took breakfast in the cockpit, coffee with English muffins and my homemade grapefruit marmalade. The weather is warm now, looks like the New Zealand... Continue Reading →
For many months I have been painting, maintaining and refurbishing Truce. Now, we are both ready to venture out again, this time for a New Zealand cruise. After so many months of stationary activity it’s wonderful to be moving again. This cruise will be different as I have no set timetable or itinerary planned. I... Continue Reading →
The wind overnight was not as strong as forecast so in was a little slower than anticipated, I really wanted to make some miles and reduce the time in the strong winds closer to the Bay of Islands. It turned out fine the wind picked up in the morning and I had a good thirty... Continue Reading →
I haven’t posted a log for a couple of days. I didn’t have much to say, Truce and I have been beating to the west to get around a am nasty patch of weather above New Zealand. Same slog day after day. After three days, we have gained enough distance to start turning to the... Continue Reading →
The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson 