Aurelia

Sun Sep 16 11:33 2018 NZST
GPS: 35 83.80s 174 46.91e
Run: 176.4nm (319.3km)
Avg: 3.8knts
24hr: 91.9nm

Now tied up in Marsden Cove Marina - an uneventful motor sail down the Northland coast saw us arriving at the Q dock at 12 noon. Customs and MPI very friendly and efficiently dealt with us in about 20 minutes - then a quick trip to the fuel dock before the final leg to GH - or so we thought....

Just 5m from the dock there was smoke pouring out of the boat - we drifted in with fire extinguishers at the ready - very calm and collected under pressure this wonderful crew.

A full afternoon of analysis concluded that the starter motor had caught in the ring gear and burned out. So we are here for repairs and will make the final leg of the journey in due course.

Cannot believe how lucky we were with the timing of that....all sorts of repercussions, had it happened at any other moment.


Fri Sep 14 13:30 2018 NZST
GPS: 34 08.09s 173 19.90e
Run: 137.3nm (248.5km)
Avg: 5.7knts
24hr: 135.6nm

Great to see three Kings and North Cape on our starboard bow around 0900 this morning. Another night of motor sailing in less than 8kts of breeze from the SE - right on the nose. We are not unhappy about this - it is exactly the weather window we saw for North Cape when leaving Noumea a week ago - using the amazing PredictWind We are 80 miles from Cape Brett and looking forward to a relaxed trip down the coast Meantime there's been fresh bread baked and gourmet meals served - and a tot of rum all round to celebrate Land Ho!


Thu Sep 13 13:12 2018 NZST
GPS: 32 35.83s 171 49.60e
Run: 100.5nm (181.9km)
Avg: 7.1knts
24hr: 169.3nm

Great progress over night and this morning in ever decreasing wind. PredictWind tells us we are on the edge of a large hole with no wind - mostly motoring from here. Distance to North Cape is about 110 miles. Blue skies light winds and calm seas - cant think of anything better for North Cape! Last 24 hours 188miles sailed - pretty much perfect conditions Crew are happy and relaxed - focussed on sleep food and the horizon.


Wed Sep 12 22:57 2018 NZST
GPS: 31 14.19s 171 13.37e
Run: 210.1nm (380.3km)
Avg: 6.3knts
24hr: 151.7nm

Big day today diving south between a couple of strong wind areas - PredictWind doing a great job of finding our way in tricky conditions. Feel we have overcome the last major weather obstacle and now only have a big hole with no wind between us and North Cape.

We spend most of the day 60deg off the wind in big confused seas - 9 and 10 knots showing on the speedo - every now and again the boat is airborne. Hard physical work just staying attached to the boat. Winds have backed off now and come around more to the east - so we are close hauled and almost laying North Cape doing 7kts in 12 kts of breeze All good here


Tue Sep 11 13:42 2018 NZST
GPS: 28 16.05s 170 28.26e
Run: 171nm (309.5km)
Avg: 7.3knts
24hr: 175.4nm

bright and sunny today after a night of dark and rainy squalls. At times we were forced to head off to the east to run away from the big ones - up to 38kts on the wind dial. Currently charging along at 8 - 9 kts and even pointing in the right direction. Going like a train with 1 reef in main and full headsail. Wind speed 20 - 25 and 1m seas. The occasional slap on our side sends spray flying high. Quite exhilarating.

All well on board - Judy is concocting something imaginative for lunch, Trevor is in the sack, Pip on deck doing puzzles


Mon Sep 10 14:18 2018 NZST
GPS: 26 31.06s 168 30.06e
Run: 193.2nm (349.7km)
Avg: 7.4knts
24hr: 176.6nm

well the front arrived in the early hours of the morning - 38kts with torrential rain for about an hour. Made for some excitement with the dog watch. Morning came and we have 30kts on the beam with building seas- pretty boisterous but we are making good progress now in bright sunshine. Forecast is to ease somewhat overnight so we cant complain about that.

Norfolk Island due south of us - but our course is SE from here for a few days - so wont be stopping there! All well on board


Sun Sep 9 12:03 2018 NZST
GPS: 24 01.15s 167 06.85e
Run: 113.4nm (205.3km)
Avg: 1134knts
24hr: 27216nm

sorry - didn't update position on previous post....now have 147 miles since departure - slow going with much motor sailing involved. The lights of Prony Bay finally disappeared over the horizon astern in the early hours of the morning. Crew rotations working well, with getting sufficient sleep quickly becoming the main focus. Trevor's famous spag bog was a hit with the team last night This morning is bright and sunny - very light wind straight on the nose so we are motoring again. Expect to see the NW shift ahead of the front coming in tonight, which should give us a couple of days of downwind sailing. Unfortunately that will bring some rain with it.

All crew fit and well - no experiences of sea sickness.


Sun Sep 9 11:57 2018 NZST
GPS: 22 24.23s 166 48.29e

now have 147 miles since departure - slow going with much motor sailing involved. The lights of Prony Bay finally disappeared over the horizon astern in the early hours of the morning. Crew rotations working well, with getting sufficient sleep quickly becoming the main focus. Trevor's famous spag bog was a hit with the team last night This morning is bright and sunny - very light wind straight on the nose so we are motoring again. Expect to see the NW shift ahead of the front coming in tonight, which should give us a couple of days of downwind sailing. Unfortunately that will bring some rain with it.

All crew fit and well - no experiences of sea sickness.


Sat Sep 8 10:21 2018 NZST
GPS: 22 24.23s 166 48.29e

heading out shortly through the reef via Canal di Woodin taking advantage of the falling tide and assisting current ?Next stop is Whangarei


Thu Sep 6 19:27 2018 NZST
GPS: 22 24.23s 166 48.29e
Run: 6.1nm (11km)

now anchor down at a deep bay on the south side of Canal Di Woodin - Baie Ire. Very close to the location of our encounter with the cruise ship on the way in. Not a soul in sight. Sunset just off the point - Pip is in the water for a quick swim before dark...about time I say, as she's been going on about a swim since arriving.

Quite a bash into 20knot headwind to get here from Port Moselle - 27NM upwind, and part of our cunning plan for departure to NZ. We will check the forecasts again tomorrow morning - thinking to head to Isle Di Pins and wait there for departure on Saturday, but we shall see.

Highlights of Noumea - the number 10 bus with the reggae blaring and the super friendly locals - not to be missed. Anse Vata and its ?????????? Baie Di Limon, dinner at Le petit cafe and Le Chaumiere - perfect French local cuisine and the friendly people of the Port Moselle marina definitely want more of this?


Mon Sep 3 14:03 2018 NZST
GPS: 22 27.70s 166 43.99e
Run: 23.7nm (42.9km)

now moored at the Q dock in Port Moselle. Spent a pleasant evening motoring through the inner passages - encountered a cruise ship in Canal Woodin - she would have been as long as the passage was wide. Quite a spectacular experience. Finally dropped anchor outside the marina at 0030 hrs. Spent a pleasant morning clearing customs Now heading for an exploring mission in Noumea.


Sun Sep 2 12:27 2018 NZST
GPS: 21 85.91s 167 06.20e
Run: 175.2nm (317.1km)
Avg: 7.5knts
24hr: 180.9nm

motoring under bright sunny skies and zero wind. The sea is glassy calm and 24deg. We are finally all catching up on sleep after an uneventful night - ran out of wind around 1500 yesterday and have had the motor on since.

We passed Ilse Lifou in the early hours this morning and turned our heading towards Canal de la Havannah - our entry point into the reef system that surrounds New Cal. We have about 4 1/2 hours to cover the remaining 26nm. ETA there is currently 1600hrs - we are pushing the current all the way.

We were thinking of trailing a line - but there is so much food on board we need to focus on eating that! Expect our anchor down at Noumea around midnight tonight - customs formalities in the morning, followed by new crew arrivals later in the day. It will be an interesting night threading our way through the reef system and up the SW coast to Noumea - but we understand that the charts here are excellent as are the channel markers, so not too worried about that.


Sat Sep 1 13:12 2018 NZST
GPS: 19 57.90s 167 43.63e
Run: 36.7nm (66.4km)
Avg: 43.2knts
24hr: 1036.2nm

under way at 1700hrs yesterday headed for Noumea. Rough start with 3/4 of creep feeling unwell. Winds and sea eased overnight with gorgeous easy sailing conditions by dawn. Wind is ESE 10 sea slight. We have made reasonable progress with 125nm on the clock so far - average just over 6.5 which is good given the light winds. All very short of sleep - so trying to catch up as we go.


Sat Sep 1 12:21 2018 NZST
GPS: 19 29.28s 167 28.70e
Run: 132.7nm (240.2km)

under way at 1700hrs yesterday headed for Noumea. Rough start with 3/4 of creep feeling unwell. Winds and sea eased overnight with gorgeous easy sailing conditions by dawn. Wind is ESE 10 sea slight. We have made reasonable progress with 125nm on the clock so far - average just over 6.5 which is good given the light winds. All very short of sleep - so trying to catch up as we go.


Sun Jul 15 0:00 2018 NZST
GPS: 17 44.5S 168 19.19E
Run: 138.5nm (250.7km)

now on the mooring at PV


Fri Jun 29 14:09 2018 NZST
GPS: 19 32.03s 169 15.91e
Run: 411.9nm (745.5km)
Avg: 8.2knts
24hr: 197.1nm

We have arrived at Lenakel / Tanna Island! A little bit tired but excited to be here.

Total distance covered 1281.9 NM in 7 days 3 hours 45mins.

The last 24 hours have been busy - we have hand steered her for the last 14 hours - there seems to be some electrical issue with the auto pilot that needs investigating. That and the 30 knot winds have made for a pretty bumpy ride with a lot of spray flying. Max speed was over 12 knots under two reefs in the main most of the genoa furled. Last day 24 hour run was 206NM - pretty happy to his that milestone. Now for customs etc ...

Other than that we are in More photos will come through mobile internet soon!


Wed Jun 27 12:00 2018 NZST
GPS: 25 24.90s 170 18.35e
Run: 138.5nm (250.7km)
Avg: 7.4knts
24hr: 178.2nm
Weather: Another beautiful day, 50% cloud, wind from SSE @18 knots

A gibe at 7:40am, now the wave is behind us pushing forward to Vanuatu. M is doing minor fixing with D's help. Mr. T is make beer bread!! Hopefully we will get Tanna on Friday! Yeah


Tue Jun 26 17:21 2018 NZST
GPS: 27 07.90s 171 27.60e

Just in case the update at lunch time with image upload has not show up.

We have had another beautiful day. Preparing dinner and waiting for the sunset. Engine is on for 2 hours just for battery charging. It is perfect sailing condition today! My guess we are close to 8 on average.


Tue Jun 26 17:15 2018 NZST
GPS: 27 07.90s 171 27.60e
Run: 45.6nm (82.5km)
Avg: 9knts
24hr: 216.7nm

Just in case the update at lunch time with image upload has not show up.

We have had another beautiful day. Preparing dinner and waiting for the sunset. Engine is on for 2 hours just for battery charging. It is perfect sailing condition today! My guess we are close to 8 on average.


Tue Jun 26 12:12 2018 NZST
GPS: 27 39.45s 171 54.51e
Run: 187.2nm (338.8km)
Avg: 7.9knts
24hr: 189.6nm

Weather is perfect - we re now over 1/2 way and it feels like a downhill run all the way from here. Bright sunshine and a few fluffy clouds. Some of the crew are in shirts and shorts as the temp is warming up. Contemplating Shirley's chicken pie for dinner tonight - with left over curry for lunch. Pretty much all we do is sleep and eat


Mon Jun 25 12:30 2018 NZST
GPS: 30 03.47s 173 20.38e
Run: 142.6nm (258.1km)
Avg: 7.5knts
24hr: 179.2nm
Weather: breezing from east at 12~15 kts, turning to south, partly cloudy, sea wave 1m, almost no swell.

After a whole night of into-wind sailing, we are closer to our destination. Everyone is fine. Small staysail has bee put up. We are trying generator at the moment. This is just a quick update


Sun Jun 24 17:24 2018 NZST
GPS: 32 07.280S 173 21.170E
Run: 33.1nm (59.9km)
Avg: 7knts
24hr: 167.3nm

BBQ dinner!


Sun Jun 24 12:39 2018 NZST
GPS: 32 33.72s 173 34.60e
Run: 0.6nm (1.1km)
Weather: sunny and much warmer than in Auckland (20C in cabin). 1m sea swell, no wind

We have to motor again, not only for the batteries but there is no wind again! Updated grib files shows we are in a no-wind zone. The whole crew has had a shower and all on board are fresh and happy. Sandwiches for brunch. Happy sunshine motor sailing in calm conditions - looking for some breeze to come in from the SW overnight.


Sun Jun 24 12:09 2018 NZST
GPS: 32 34.23s 173 34.86e
Run: 106.4nm (192.6km)
Avg: 5.4knts
24hr: 129nm

glassy water


sunset or sunrise?
Sat Jun 23 16:21 2018 NZST
GPS: 34 05.81s 173 49.59e
Run: 27.3nm (49.4km)
Avg: 8.7knts
24hr: 208nm

Just another afternoon update , we have a pleasant breeze southwestly at around 17 knots. M and T are busy at minor fixings, D and me are just eating apples and enjoy the journey.

We had a reef on the mainsail and furled the Genova back about a meter. The boat is swing in the swell in a period say 5 seconds. We are preparing dinner soon.


Sat Jun 23 13:12 2018 NZST
GPS: 34 29.46s 173 52.02e
Weather: ssw 12kts, cloudy, swell 2m, 1009 baro

All good on board. NZ has disappeared into the clouds on the horizon. First 24 hours run 154NM - did a lot of motor sailing no have 17 hours clocked on engine time so far. Now sailing in perfect conditions heading north with wind on our port 1/4.

Happily chewing through yesterday's left overs for lunch.


Sat Jun 23 13:12 2018 NZST
GPS: 34 29.46s 173 52.02e
Run: 33.7nm (61km)
Avg: 6.6knts
24hr: 158.6nm
Weather: ssw 12kts, cloudy, swell 2m, 1009 baro

All good. We disappeared from NZ land horizon


Sat Jun 23 8:06 2018 NZST
GPS: 34 56.01s 174 07.03e
Run: 111.2nm (201.3km)
Avg: 6.9knts
24hr: 166nm

sorry, forgot to put our position on, here it is :position 34 56.01s 174 07.03e


Sat Jun 23 8:03 2018 NZST
No position sent.

First sunrise on the trip to Vanuatu! Wind drops since mid night, we tried serval times to sail but most of the time we are still motoring. The forecast says the wind is shift towards northwest this afternoon! let's see


Fri Jun 22 16:01 2018 NZST
GPS: 36 24.46318S 174 54.56393E
Run: 0.2nm (0.4km)

Need land connection for photos so far as I understand


Fri Jun 22 15:30 2018 NZST
GPS: 36 24.43s 174 54.30e
Run: 28.1nm (50.9km)
Avg: 7knts
24hr: 168.6nm

We need a little bit more breeze, heading 350T, speed 6.5kt at motor


Fri Jun 22 11:30 2018 NZST
GPS: 36 48.470s 174 49.290e
Run: 3.3nm (6km)
Avg: 3.9knts
24hr: 93nm

Sail is up! As customs told us, there are 6 boats leaving today!


Fri Jun 22 11:12 2018 NZST
No position sent.

We are still motoring. Sea log has been done. It is 11:11 22Jun2018 now


Fri Jun 22 10:38 2018 NZST
GPS: 36 50.090S 174 46.370E
Run: 1.6nm (2.9km)
Weather: Cold and clear, breeze at 10 knots Sse

Farewell ! We are on the road!

Thanks to everybody who came and ring us to say goodbye!

Special thanks to grandpa! It is really touching ceremony!


Thu Jun 21 21:51 2018 NZST
GPS: 36 50.272S 174 48.036E
Weather: becoming clear at harbour, wind drops from 25knts to 15knts.

Michael, Trevor, Don and Sean...yeah right! >


different color?
Thu Jun 21 21:42 2018 NZST
GPS: 36 50.272s 174 48.036e
Run: 15nm (27.2km)

Try at 21:29, 21Jun2018 at home from my gmail account.

? >


from another day!
Thu Jun 21 19:28 2018 NZST
No position sent.
Weather: Cloudy windy but getting better

Finally hit the road! I updated the log through email 3 times on board and seems not been on yet. This is update at home now!


Sun Jun 17 15:03 2018 NZST
GPS: 36 37.266s 174 47.60e

Title: the weather is beautiful Where is the pic of the update?


What a wonderful day!!
Sun Jun 17 12:15 2018 NZST
GPS: 36 37.2642s 174 47.60e

This is a test of the coordination format again!


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