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The Southern Cross

Thu Nov 6 7:33 2014 NZDT

GPS: 35 18.800s 174 07.700e

Run: 50.8nm (91.9km)

anchored at Opua, New Zealand with grateful thanks to Patricia and David for your support during our passage from Tonga to New Zealand: We all know Patricia and David, As Gulf Harbour Radio's favoured.

The fleet on the move Is kept in the grove By weather reports that are savoured.

Catherine and Peter signing off

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Wed Nov 5 5:07 2014 NZDT

Speed:

0.0

knts

Weather: 7 knots W, flat seas, 90% cloud cover other comments: distance to Q dock at Opua: 0 6 other boats awaiting clearance fresh food count: still have 5 ½ bananas unripe bananas off to bed,

0430 NZ time. Wednesday 5 Nov. Had a lovely sail yesterday into NZ. Fog descended just as we entered the river into Opua

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Tue Nov 4 18:21 2014 NZDT

Speed:

3.8

knts

GPS: 34 37.000s 174 25.000e

Run: 52.7nm (95.4km)
Avg: 4.3knts
24hr: 102.8nm

Weather: 7 knots W, flat seas, 90% cloud cover other comments: distance to entrance to Bay of Islands: 35 (Opua NZ) distance to Q dock at Opua: 44 ETA: Wednesday 5 November around 6am fresh food count: one egg and 5 ½ bananas that refuse to ripen sightings: one albatross, two sperm whales, 12 sharks, a thousand jellyfish, clouds, grey seas, each other and tinned food hallucinating about seeing other people and buying fresh food

1800 NZ time. Tuesday 4 Nov. Wind on the nose until 1600. Now sailing

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Tue Nov 4 6:03 2014 NZDT

Speed:

3.3

knts

GPS: 33 55.000s 174 47.000e

Run: 53.5nm (96.8km)
Avg: 4.4knts
24hr: 105.2nm

Weather: 9 knots SSW, seas confused around 1 metre, 80% cloud cover other comments: distance to entrance to Bay of Islands: 81 miles (Opua NZ) ETA: Wednesday 5 November Did not experience any strong winds from the northerly sectors. No wind above about 16 knots for entire trip from Minerva Reef other than one gust to 23 knots when front came through. Have only had a few spots of rain.

0500 NZ time. Tuesday 4 Nov. Wind shift came through at 7pm last night. Went from 16 knots NW to less than 10 from SSW. Has remained out of SSW since.

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Mon Nov 3 17:51 2014 NZDT

Speed:

5.0

knts

GPS: 33 11.000s 175 05.000e

Run: 67.6nm (122.4km)
Avg: 6knts
24hr: 144.9nm

Weather: 13 knots NW, seas confused around 1 metre, 100% cloud cover other comments: distance to entrance to Bay of Islands: 128 miles (Opua NZ) ETA: Tuesday 4 November, evening

1700 NZ time. Monday 3 Nov. Sailing on rhumb line to Opua, NZ. Light rain

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Mon Nov 3 6:39 2014 NZDT

Speed:

7.0

knts

GPS: 32 18.000s 175 35.000e

Run: 75nm (135.8km)
Avg: 5.6knts
24hr: 134.7nm

Weather: 12 knots NW, seas less than 1 metre, 20% cloud cover other comments: Great to be sailing at last. Haven't motored so much since we spent 5 days motoring to avoid pirates off the coast of Somalia 5 years ago. distance to entrance to Bay of Islands: 190 miles (Opua NZ) ETA: Tuesday 4 November temperature still balmy Banana count: 6

0600 NZ time. Monday 3 Nov. Sailing on slight seas on rhumb line to Opua, NZ

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Sun Nov 2 17:17 2014 NZDT

Speed:

5.4

knts

GPS: 31 21.000s 176 12.000e

Run: 49.1nm (88.9km)
Avg: 6knts
24hr: 144.3nm

Weather: 5 knots N, long period swell less than 1m from the south-west, 10% cloud cover other comments: distance to entrance to Bay of Islands: 250 miles (near Opua NZ) ETA: Tuesday 4 November temperature inside the cabin is a warm 30C Banana count: 8, all unripe

1700 NZ time. Sunday 2 Nov. continuing to motor sail in light winds on for rhumb line to Opua, NZ

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Sun Nov 2 9:07 2014 NZDT

Speed:

5.4

knts

GPS: 30 42.000s 176 32.000e

Run: 90.8nm (164.3km)
Avg: 5.7knts
24hr: 137.9nm

Weather: 8 knots NE, long period swell from the south-west 1-2m, 20% cloud cover other comments: distance to next corner store: 295 miles (Opua NZ) ETA: Tuesday 4 November temperature inside the cabin is a cold 20C Casualties on board: one salt water cooling pump for engine, replaced while underway

0845 NZ time. Sunday 2 Nov. Motor sailing in light winds aiming for rhumb line to Opua, NZ

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Sat Nov 1 17:19 2014 NZDT

Speed:

5.8

knts

GPS: 29 32.000s 177 14.000e

Run: 68.8nm (124.5km)
Avg: 5.8knts
24hr: 139.5nm

Weather: 10 knots SE, long period swell from the south 2m, 40% cloud cover other comments: Just over half way from North Minerva Reef to Opua, NZ Fresh food left: wedge of pumpkin, 2 onions, 6 eggs and 11 unripe bananas lots of tinned food distance to next corner store: 375 nautical miles (Opua NZ) ETA: Tuesday 4 November

1700 NZ time. Sat 1 Nov. Motor sailing aiming for rhumb line to Opua, NZ

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Sat Nov 1 5:29 2014 NZDT

Speed:

4.5

knts

GPS: 28 47.000s 177 59.000e

Run: 67.6nm (122.4km)
Avg: 5.6knts
24hr: 133.9nm

Weather: 10 knots SSE, long period swell from the south 2m, 90% cloud cover

0500 NZ time. Sat 1 Nov. Motoring in light southerlies. On rhumb line for Opua, NZ

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Fri Oct 31 17:22 2014 NZDT

Speed:

5.5

knts

GPS: 27 55.000s 178 30.000e

Run: 53.7nm (97.2km)
Avg: 4.5knts
24hr: 108.2nm

Weather: 10 knots SE, long period swell from the south 2m, 90% cloud cover other comments: NZ Airforce Orion aircaft flew overhead this afternoon and confirmed we were underway for Opua noon to noon covered: 124 nautical miles miles to run to Opua, New Zealand: 490

1700 NZ time. Fri 31 Oct. Front came through in early afternoon. Wind changed from 8NW to South to 8SE as a bank of clouds crossed us. On rhumb line for Opua, NZ

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Fri Oct 31 5:27 2014 NZDT

Speed:

5.2

knts

GPS: 27 14.000s 178 55.000e

Run: 119.8nm (216.8km)
Avg: 9.8knts
24hr: 235.7nm

Weather: 5 to 8 knots NW, seas slight, clear skies Questions for Gulf Harbour: Should we continue along the rhumb line? Should we still be aiming to arrive Opua Monday midday?

0500 NZ time. Fri 31 Oct. Motor sailing in light winds. On rhumb line for Opua, NZ

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Thu Oct 30 17:15 2014 NZDT

Speed:

5.0

knts

GPS: 26 08.000s 179 35.000w

Run: 58.4nm (105.7km)
Avg: 5.3knts
24hr: 126.5nm

Weather: light and variable wind, seas slight, almost cloud free sky other comments: we crossed from the western hemisphere to the eastern hemisphere at 0900 local time noon to noon covered: 125 nautical miles miles to run to Opua, New Zealand: 610 banana count: 12 this is our 65th night at sea for 2014 current temperature inside: 28C

1700 New Zealand time. Thursday 30 Oct. Motor sailing in light winds. On rhumb line for Opua, NZ

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Thu Oct 30 6:10 2014 NZDT

Speed:

5.0

knts

GPS: 25 20.000s 179 53.000w

Run: 77.3nm (139.9km)
Avg: 6knts
24hr: 145.1nm

Weather: Wind 6 from NNE, seas slight, almost cloud free sky Questions for Gulf Harbour: Should we continue along the rhumb line? Yesterday you recommended we arrive in Opua by Monday am 5 October. Has this changed? Until the wind comes up (from a favourable direction) we will only average about 5kts from here. If we slow down and wait for the trough/front to pass early next week, when is the next opportunity to arrive in NZ? Would you have any concerns about a later arrival? Would we need to stay above 30 degrees south till the front/trough has passed? Please mention on air that you have received a report from The Southern Cross. Otherwise we don't know if our reports are posting ok.

0600 New Zealand time. Thursday 30 Oct. Motor sailing in light winds overnight, smooth seas. On rhumb line for Opua, NZ

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Wed Oct 29 17:23 2014 NZDT

Speed:

7.6

knts

GPS: 24 18.849s 179 22.522w

Run: 53.8nm (97.4km)
Avg: 6.4knts
24hr: 152.8nm

Weather: Wind 10 from SE, seas less than one metre, almost cloud free sky Other comments: Enjoyed our brief stay in North Minerva Reef. Saw nemo and a few of his friends when we swam from the boat to the reef. Thankfully no sharks in sight. Able to see three other boats at present; Novae, Lochmarin and Caminente Peter has been up the mast while we have been underway to re-attach the radar reflector as a line had broken and it was flogging the mast.

1700 New Zealand time. Wednesday 29 Oct. Departed North Minerva Reef just after 9am local time. Sailing and motor sailing aiming to keep boat speed above 6 knots. On our way to Opua, New Zealand

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Wed Oct 29 8:55 2014 NZDT

GPS: 23 39.721S 178 54.59W

Run: 1.5nm (2.7km)

leaving today for NZ

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Wed Oct 29 6:48 2014 NZDT

anchored at North Minerva Reef weather: 12 E, flat seas, 10% cloud cover Note to Gulf Harbour Radio: a dozen boats at anchor here. Will listen to David's report and decide whether to leave today for Opua, New Zealand. Hope Patricia had a good birthday.

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Tue Oct 28 11:52 2014 NZDT

GPS: 23 38.849s 178 53.522w

Run: 115.1nm (208.3km)
Avg: 6.3knts
24hr: 152.3nm

Weather: Wind 11 knots from E, flat seas, 10%cloud cover Looking for favourable conditions to head to Opua, New Zealand. Will listen to Gulf Harbour Radio Wed am before deciding whether to head off tomorrow Other comments: 9 other boats at anchor in Minerva Reef Now out of the tropics. Warm, no fleeces being worn. Banana count: 16

1100 New Zealand time. Tuesday 28 October. Now anchored at North Minerva Reef.

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Mon Oct 27 17:44 2014 NZDT

Speed:

5 to 7

knts

GPS: 22 36.467s 177 28.655w

Run: 58.7nm (106.2km)
Avg: 6.7knts
24hr: 161.3nm

Weather: 19 knots E 2 m confused sea mostly from SE 80% cloud cover.

1700 New Zealand time. Monday 27 October. Winds generally 15 to 20 E. Distance to Minerva Reef 100 nm

Other comments:

still no ripe bananas

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Mon Oct 27 9:00 2014 NZDT

Speed:

6.0

knts

GPS: 22 04.040s 176 46.100w

Weather: 16 knots E 1-2 m confused sea mostly from SE 50% cloud cover.

0830 New Zealand time. Departed pass out of Tongatapu at 1600 on Sunday. Winds 15 to 20 E all night. 100 miles sailed from the pass. Distance to Minerva Reef 150 nm

Other comments:

temperature inside 23C Peter wearing a fleece and talking about donning ugg boots, Catherine in shirt sleeves

Bananas on board:18

bananas ripe enough to eat: 0

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Mon Oct 27 8:30 2014 NZDT

Speed:

6.0

knts

GPS: 22 04.040s 176 46.100w

Run: 122nm (220.8km)
Avg: 2.5knts
24hr: 60.1nm

Weather: 16 knots E 1-2 m confused sea mostly from SE 50% cloud cover. Other comments: temperature inside 23C Peter wearing a fleece and talking about donning ugg boots, Catherine in shirt sleeves Bananas on board:18 bananas ripe enough to eat: 0

0830 New Zealand time. Departed pass out of Tongatapu at 1600 on Sunday. Winds 15 to 20 E all night. 100 miles sailed from the pass. Distance to Minerva Reef 150 nm

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Sat Oct 25 7:47 2014 NZDT

GPS: 21 07.465s 175 09.827w

Run: 0.2nm (0.4km)

anchored at Pangiomotu, Nuku'alofa, Tonga As at 0730 25/10/2014 Heavy rain yesterday. Very light intermittent rain this morning. 99% cloud cover. 12Kts wind from the ESE. Bar 1013.

We are planning to set off towards Opua New Zealand tomorrow (Sunday). Will if necessary stop at Minerva Reef. Will listen with interest to your comments. At least 10 boats here are looking to leave asap.

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Fri Oct 24 7:54 2014 NZDT

GPS: 21 07.5126s 175 09.6931w

Run: 186.7nm (337.9km)

anchored at Pangiomotu, Nuku'alofa, TongaWe are awaiting a weather window to head to Opua New Zealand. Will if necessary stop at Minerva Reef.

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Sat Sep 27 8:07 2014 NZST

GPS: 18 39.6843s 173 58.9575w

Weather: calm, 1014, some rain

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The Southern Cross

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