Freezing Rain oh my!
The South Island circumnavigation has begun! Or potentially the ummm……South Island exploration instead this time. Mother nature has thrown yet another spanner in the works for us and with some gnarly weather about to smash the West Coast next week we’re having to come up with yet another Plan B. Luckily with places like the Queen Charlotte Sound and the Abel Tasman right on our backyard we have many options for exploring around this area for the time being. If a weather window presents itself then we’ll make a break South for Milford Sound although a full circumnavigation might be out of the question. With freezing rain(isn’t that snow?) and 50kt SW winds forecast down south I know where I’d rather be at the moment. Fortunately I think my new crew share the same sentiments.
Freezing rain……yikes
-1 degrees…..no thank you
Photo taken by Sharon during her flight. Check out those contour lines!
Might not be so bad cruising around here for a while ;)
Before our crew arrived Sharon and I went on a mission to buy a new 100m stern line for our potential trip to Fiordland and the surrounding sounds. With small anchorage spaces within the sounds the cruising guide suggests we carry a 100m length of line to tie ashore to keep our bum tucked in nice and tight to the shore. With depths of water changing quickly from 80m to 2m we had to make sure we’d be prepared to anchor nice and close to the shore without swinging around too much.
Sharon stowing our new 100m line
Look at that beautiful coil……and those comfy slippers! Jealous….
My new crew arrived the following day, and as always, I explained to them that it was great they were here so I could finally stop working. With provisions loaded, bunks made, and numerous cups of tea drunk(thanks Juliet) we went out for the obligatory crew dinner. After dinner the motley Silver Fern crew all piled onto Salt Lines for the ominous weather brief and an explanation on what Plan B might mean for us.
Provisions galore
Guys……I said act natural!
Dave and Sharon explaining to the crew how bad the weather is
Everyone listening intently
Silver Fern behind us as usual
Juliet, a natural on the helm
The boys shooting the breeze
The landing craft obstructing my view nicely
First stop is for us to head to Resolution Bay and cruise around the Queen Charlotte Sound for a while. With MOB drills complete, sails up and reefs in we are currently sailing in a sunny 10-12kt NW breeze. My crew have a wealth of experience between them and they’ve been fast learners today. Our fishing tackle supplies have been replenished by our resident fisherman Les so I’ll be expecting an abundance of seafood if we get ‘stuck’ here for a few extra days to wait out the weather.
Will keep you updated!
Till next time,
Jess :)
