The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson
Sailing Yacht Truce
After a day’s stop in Hicks Bay, waiting on weather, we set off in the first morning light for Gisborne. Hicks Bay was overcast and gloomy as we motored out in flat calm. Shortly the sun rose over East Cape in spectacular fashion and we continued motoring along the coast in calm sunny conditions, the... Continue Reading →
At last, finally and not a minute too late Truce is sailing again. The days leading up to departure were quite hectic, getting final stores, provisions and odd jobs completed. On New Years eve Ngozi and I moved on board Truce at the pile mooring in the Tamaki River. After seeing in the New Year... Continue Reading →
Now I am back home, sleeping in a double bed, no movement and no wind in the rigging. I do wake up in the morning and momentarily wonder where I am, but that will pass. Having not watched television for five months I find I am now strangely addicted, but that will pass as well.... Continue Reading →
Tuesday morning in Tutakaka Marina opened overcast and calm, although everywhere is still wet from the storm. Today I will head south again and see how far I can get and what the weather will throw at us. The forecast is calling for westerly winds that gradually decrease towards the evening. After letting go from... Continue Reading →
After a beautiful calm and peaceful night in Whangamumu Harbour I awoke early and had a relaxed breakfast at anchor. The day was fine and clear with no wind. As today’s forecast called for variable 10 knot winds it seemed that sailing would be difficult. I picked up the anchor after breakfast, the water so... Continue Reading →
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 →
I had a nice stop at Mangonui, I like the place. Some good shore leave and exercise and stocked up with fresh groceries. In the Four Square store I was taught the Covid level 2 protocol, wait to enter store, use hand sanitiser, keep distance from other shoppers etc. With fresh groceries at hand I... Continue Reading →
By Monday morning the wind had moderated to around fifteen knots NW, I was ready to move on. As soon as the ebb tide started, the anchor was up and I was heading down the channel. Just after ten we were clear of Houhora and sailing across Rangaunu Bay to round Moturoa Island and Cape... Continue Reading →
Spirits Bay is a beautiful place, well worth a visit but the weather must be settled. Unfortunately, I was unable to get ashore as the surf on the beach was a little too high for a dinghy landing in comfort. I am just waiting for the South Easterly winds to reduce on the east coast... Continue Reading →
Thursday morning, Lockdown lifted and no wind. Sitting in Port Hardy, the water was flat calm, not a catspaw disturbing the surface. The forecast was for another day of light and variable winds. I resigned myself to wait another day and had breakfast. By smoko the elastic band of frustration snapped in my brain. I... Continue Reading →
The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson 