All the best Nelson, farewell New Zealand!

Today at 10.00 a.m. we have left the dock and hoisted the sails to sail to the north. Friends of the marina were on the jetty to wave us good bye and slowly we've lost sight of each other. Good appointments have been made for a regular sched via the radio and also via the eamil we hope to keep in contact.

In the Abel Tasman Bay it is calm and quiet, but after passing Separation Point and Farewell Spitt we'll expect to pick up more wind and feel the ocean swell again.

Thank you so much for hospitality, friends in Nelson, we've had a safe and pleasant stop in your marina, a good base from where we could discover a bit more of your beautiful New Zealand and meet a few more pleasant people. Till we meet again we wish you all the best!

Our course is now to Vanuatu! Slideshow Nelson 2008/09

Waiting, waiting ...

We still are in Nelson marina and while waiting for a favourable weatherwindow we were thinking of our arrival in New Zealand one year ago. Leaving from Tasmania (Au) we sighted the NZ westcoast at the end of April and after a short stay in Fiordland it was in Bluff on the south tip of NZ that we were welcomed by Customs and Quaranteen. After being moored on the fisherman's wharf for more than a week with very bad weather, we continued to Otago harbour (near Dunedin), Akaroa (near Christchurch), a stormy anchorage behind Cape Campbell and an exciting passage of French Pass before entering the calm waters and safe harbour of Nelson. Slideshow Entering New Zealand 2008

Not yet departed!

Every day we receive weather maps and forecasts but they all show a lot of disturbance around New Zealand with strong winds and high seas. Not a good moment to leave for the islands of Vanuatu. But may be after the weekend ...