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11/6/2006 2:30:00 PM
Tonga to NZ - Day 6 of 7
Our last passage for this cruising adventure

Day 6 of 7 - Counting hours

So today was definitely the calmest day of sailing we have done so far.

So today was definitely the calmest day of sailing we have done so far. We took pictures of the ocean and had to make sure that we didn't angle to camera too far down and spoilt the picture with a reflection of ourselves ... the water was mirror smooth with just the slightest swell rolling thru. We all just hope this is not the 'calm before the storm' as the saying goes.

Given how calm it was, we got a lot done on the boat today. I even managed to do a few electrical repairs, refill the diesel tanks with our jerry jugs we carry on deck, Niki cleaned the boat up a bit, we broke down and are taking a shower and the boys are now enjoying an Xbox session. Yes that is the only drawback to such calm seas with ZERO knots of wind ... and I am not joking, we read ZERO on the true wind speed gauge ... the motor has been running now non-stop for over 24 hours allowing the boys to play Xbox ... WHAT ARE SAYING ... you asking if it is loud ... I CANNOT HEAR YOU ... yes it definitely is loud but the only way for us to get to Opua in time. We are actually motoring a bit faster than usual and the diesel consumption isn't as bad as I had thought ... 3.5 liters of diesel per hour doing 6.54 knots to be exact. Fine, got some stats in for the math buffs out there and you get to figure out now how many miles we did the last 24 hours ... ;-)

Another side benefit of the calm weather is what type of food we eat and Niki can prepare. Good news is that when it is rough we don't typically want much food anyway so it doesn't matter if Niki could or could not prepare it. The last few days though, we are having 2 course deluxe meals for example had a chicken dish with some sauce, corn and fresh baked corn muffins with a vanilla pudding afterwards or yesterday the meal was cabbage beef with mashed potatoes. Today for dinner, we will barbecue some marinated chicken ... the rest is still unknown to me ... or did Niki tell me and I didn't listen ... NAHH never happens.

We are currently about 170 miles away from Opua dock and that should allow us to get in before dark on Tuesday. The wind is supposed to pick up at the latest tomorrow morning, slowly build during the day and allow us to arrive potentially even a few hours before dark. So please keep your fingers crossed that the front doesn't start running up on us and bring the gale force winds early ... we don't need a record breaking day tomorrow. 15-20 knots on the beam is all we are asking for.

We'll keep you posted. I do write these reports mostly in the afternoon and since tomorrow afternoon might be a bit busier than usual, don't be alarmed if we delay the report for a few extra hours of maybe even half a day for after arrival in Opua ... the hours are clicking away ... less than 30 to go.

Happy sailing / motoring for now I should say,

Robert and crew

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