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Firefly - An Albatross visits Firefly



This 900 nautical mile passage from New Caledonia to New Zealand is proving to be somewhat challenging. We are going into our 5th day at sea and almost the entire time we have been hard on the wind, fully close hauled on port tack, leaning over at a serious angle!

Having just downloaded more GRIB files to check the forecast - we estimate we have about another 36 hours on port before we tack onto starboard to make our approach to the North Cape. We have had about 20 knots of apparent wind on average, 2 reefs in the mainsail all the way and we reef the jib as needed. Firefly is doing a grand job considering she is a 'downwind girl' and we are maintaining boat speeds of about 7 knots despite pounding into a moderate to rough sea. To add to the difficulties we generally have an adverse current which is reducing our actual speed.

Despite the discomfort we still feel relatively content with our position and the plans we have made and followed so far on this passage. Way out to our north west is a tropical depression - its somewhere near Fiji so over 1000 miles away so not a cause for concern - however, its close enough to be giving us the headwinds - luckily we are just heading south fast enough to keep our windspeeds manageable. As that weather feature loses its affect there is another depression approaching NZ on Tuesday and fortunately (by luck and judgement) we should be tucking into the Bay of Islands before any unpleasant affects reach us.

We are in twice daily contact with the other World ARC yachts that are with us on 'ARC New Zealand'. Of the 9 who congregated in New Caledonia, 7 are on passage and we are in a relatively tight bunch, Firefly being the furthest south - the other 2 are yet to leave Noumea. We are also having daily contact with the excellent Gulf Harbour Radio, Patricia and David who provide the service from NZ are really helpful in giving weather support - its really appreciated.

It was actually nice and sunny on Friday afternoon, the wind a bit lighter and the crew were all in the cockpit enjoying some papaya and mango fruit. An Albatross, the first one we have ever seen flew over for a look at Firefly. What a superb sight! incredibly long thin wings and the most perfect flyer - soaring above the waves without any apparent effort.

Its now Saturday 8th November, our arrival time at Opua (400nm to go) will depend on the actual wind we get and where it comes from - taking a not very optimistic approach, (which seems appropriate) we anticipate that we will round the North Cape by early Tuesday morning and be approaching Opua on Tuesday afternoon - if the wind is more helpful it should be sooner.

Paul, Susie and Gareth




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