(no subject)

Well we did intend to get as far as Urquarts tonight but had a slow start with almost no wind and then it did start but very light. Consequently we were well behind schedule when the wind did finally start in any significant strength after we had finally passed Rimariki Is. We then polled the genoa out and prevented the main from gybing and sailed wing and wing with the wind dead astern. An uncomfortable point of sailing because it requires more than the normal amount of concentration and Mrs. Fleming wasn't capable of anticipating quickly enough so it required hand steering which gets a bit tedious after a few hours. Then the wind came up well beyond what had been forecast (25-30 knots) and we had to retrieve the pole and get the boat snugged down in a gale of wind with yours truly on the foredeck and the crew steering and obeying the occasional yelled command!! We were almost off Tutukaka at that stage so decided to call it a day and headed in through the entrance to drop anchor in calm water and have a well deserved cup of tea!! The weather forecast for tomorrow is foul but tonight it's a clear sky although clouding over a bit now (2100) and hopefully early in the morning we might have a reasonable passage to Bream Head and up the harbour to the Town Basin. Total of just over 30 miles and at our normal cruising speed that will take about 6 hours. Hard to imagine such snail like progress in today's frenetic lifestyle. We are glad we are old enough to remember and appreciate it!
More fascinating accounts of our voyaging tomorrow!!
Cheers,
Jim and Jean (Gina)

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