And some final boat work. Yup, it’s Fall turning to Winter down here in the southern lattitudes and soon it will be time to heard north up to Fiji. Warmer climes. I was doing some research today and there are over 300 islands in the Fijian archipelago so we’re going to be busy exploring.
But first things first. Number one, we need to work on our paddleboarding technique now that we each have one. We’ve been paddling every morning before the wind comes up and makes it too hard to be fun.
"I want to go this way!" "Nope, we're going that way!"
"OK, you win, we'll go downriver today and see the new bridge".
Once we got our exercise, Bob did more boat projects and Ann went provisioning with Blue Rodeo Anne and Lisa. On the boat project list we’re definitely down to the short list. It’s nice to know that the big projects are behind us and Charisma’s ready to go.
On the provisioning front, Ann’s stocking six months worth of basic stuff. Pasta, flour, toilet paper, paper towels, and lots of other stuff that we generally find hard to source in the islands (or really expensive).
"Hmmm...more paper towels, or more wine...?"
"OK Lisa, you get in the car and I'll start throwing the stuff to you."
So, right now between the last of the boat projects (which means all the tools are scattered everywhere and not put away) and the provisioning, there is barely room in the cabin to sit down. I think tomorrow will start the “putting away stuff” project so we can move around.
About another week or so and we’ll be ready to leave Whangarei. Then a short shakedown cruise up the coast or maybe out and back down here-we’re not sure yet. Then we just wait for a weather window. Since it’s turning winter down here, the weather is getting colder and raining a lot. Low pressure zones (i.e. crappy weather) are sweeping by every few days. The trick to getting north is to wait until one is passing and then as it’s just about on top of you and it’s raining and windy, you leave. That way you get the wind to push you quickly north away from New Zealand and up into the tropics. If you’re lucky you get far enough north (about 400 miles generally does the trick-or about three to four days sailing) to hit milder weather and the southeast trade winds that will take you to Fiji.
That’s the plan anyway. 😉
So… if you buy all of the provisions before you put working tools away and find out how much room you have, how do you know if the purchased provisions will fit? Of course you could just kill off a couple bottles of vino that wouldn’t fit :).
So…your sailing trick is to catch a storm like a surfer catches a wave? Hoping it propels you to less turbulent waters. Ever heard the term “wipeout” ?
But then you do have your little paddle boards, which could double as surfboards if for some unfathomable reason you’d need them to. Good thing you spent all that time, money, and sweat getting Charisma shipshape, as they say.
Bon Voyage..
We vote for more wine than paper towel! Great to see that the adventure (now as a married couple) is about to continue.