This morning at 0745 we cast off the lines and left Raby Bay to begin our cruise for this year. With Mum waving goodbye we headed off on what will be our biggest trip yet - New Caledonia and Vanuatu. We plan to be away about 5 months and Warren has the boat in top condition. Apart from the usual maintenance, we have replaced our trampolines, lifelines, anchor and chain - none of which you want to fail while away.
We hope to leave from Southport Yacht Club on Tuesday in company with Songlines, a 49 foot Ocean catamaran, provided the weather abates as is forecast. The crossing is about 790nm and we expect it to take 6-7 days.
Readers from around SE Qld will know that we have had some terrible weather the last few days. We had a quick sail down here today, covering the 35 mn in 5 hours. One reef in the main was perfect for the fresh westerly. If the forecasters have it right then the wind and swell should ease tomorrow and Tuesday. As we went past the Seaway today, large breaking waves covered the entrance and no one was going in or out. Let's hope the forecasters have got it right.
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3 comments:
Hi Debbie and Warren
Sounds like your off on a exciting adventure. Safe sailing and hope you have a wonderful time.
Look forward to reading your blog
Sonja
Safe sailing ... Looking forward to following your adventures ... Cheers Karen Oberg
Thanks everyone for your good wishes. Internet slow and patchy here (we made it!) so blog updates may not be as regular as we would like.
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