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 →
Voyage Logs
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Last night at midnight we passed through a weather front. As we approached the front we were becalmed and motored in windless conditions for an hour before picking up the wind from the south east. When the wind filled in it had some force, we had a boisterous sail to mid-day with more benign conditions since. There... Continue Reading →
A NIP IN THE AIR
Last night was cool, for the first time since Hawaii I had track pants on with a long-sleeved fleece shirt. We are certainly out of the tropics now and I can expect more cold weather when we hit the south westerly winds later this evening. I will dig out my thermals tomorrow – just in case. Its... Continue Reading →
THE LONG ROAD BACK TO NEW ZEALAND
The anchorage at Minerva Reef turned out to be very peaceful, despite my initial misgivings. I had a great rest and felt very refreshed this morning. And what a morning, a glorious sunrise, warm sunshine and crystal-clear waters. No sound except the distant thunder of surf on the reef. I breakfasted in the cockpit on... Continue Reading →
ANCHORED AT NORTH MINERVA REEF -WITH GREEN FLASH
If the previous night was a magical sailing night - one to remember, last evenings fare was from the other end of the spectrum and easily forgettable. From six in the evening to nine I struggled to get Truce to hold a course, the wind and sea were all over the place. In the dark... Continue Reading →
MORE MAGIC SAILING
Last night was a magical sailing night – one to remember. The wind was only slight but a constant six or seven knots. The sea was calm with bio luminescence shimmering in our wake. The only noise was the sea as we passed through at three or four knots. So comfortable and I slept well.... Continue Reading →
SOME BEAUTIFUL SAILING TODAY
Last night and this morning it rained continuously, the soaking type of rain that turns everything into a sodden mass. But the wind held and we had a great sail through the night, unfortunately the south-east wind that was forecast didn’t arrive and the south westerly breeze pushed us too far to the west. All... Continue Reading →
NUKU’ALOFA TO NEW ZEALAND
This morning it rained cats and dogs. My walk to the internet café to check the weather was a soggy affair. Good news, the weather seems to be easing off on the route to New Zealand. I went shopping for fresh fruit and veg and topped up on additional beer, the stocks were running low... Continue Reading →
READY TO GO
I am ready to depart Tonga and head down to New Zealand. The charms of Nuku’alofa are wearing thin and I have a strong desire to get moving again. The only thing delaying me is the weather at the New Zealand end of the route. There has been a constant stream of lows charging across... Continue Reading →
A DAY OUT ON PANGAIMOTU
This morning I took my constitutional walk into town. Found the internet was not working, bought a fresh loaf of bread and returned to Truce in time for smoko. At eleven I caught the boat out to Pangaimotu Island. This is a small island with a resort, Big Mamas Yacht Club, that is a popular... Continue Reading →
The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson 