Arrived in Tauranga at 0330 local time this morning. Was another beautiful afternoon and evenings sail in a dying sea breeze. A full moon lit the way, the only disappointing part was seeing the lights of the operation clearing up the shipwreck on the Astrolabe reef. This maritime disaster has had a deep and lasting impact on the local environment - the Bay of Plenty is a stunning part of the world - the ships captain who tried to cut a corner to save a bit of time and money should be taken out the back and shot, or at the very least locked up and the keys thrown away. Probably along with the ships owners or charterers who probably applied pressure on him to save costs, miles, fuel etc.
A quick nap and the friendly local Customs Officer arrived at 0700 to clear us back in to NZ. At the same time Jan, Bruce and Cam walked down the dock armed with a long black and a flat white. Just what we needed. Ross has been whisked away by Jan for a quick shower then a drive to Auckland to see a specialist this afternoon. He will probably require the services of an ear specialist as well as his right ear will be playing up by now.
We left Tauranga Bridge Marina at 1030 on the turn of the tide and have approx 120nm to Half Moon Bay Marina - my old stomping ground in Bucklands Beach. The Tauranga harbourmaster came tearing over in his RIB as we were exiting the harbour and I was wondering what we had done wrong, as it turns out Charlie (the harbourmaster) used to sail with Dad and I on Honeywell, a Young 11 that dad built in the early 80s. It was a pretty radical concept at its time, ultra light, open transom, very controversial to all the old fuddy duddy IOR lead-smuggling vessel owners who deemed it too fast, dangerous and unseaworthy. Maybe they were just pissed off that we looked like we were having much more fun than them. Anyway, Charlie came over to say hi, and to pass on his best and say how sorry he was that we had to pull out of Leg 3.
There is little to no wind, hopefully a sea breeze will develop later as it is getting hot, very hot. Just caught lunch with a line over the back, so things are looking up.
Campbell.
All is well on board Buckley Systems. Although we are still bitterly disappointed to be sailing in this direction, it is some stunning weather - pretty much what it would be like were we permitted to go far enough south to avoid the gale force headwinds and severe bashing that we got. Yes, quite a lot colder than it is now, but still full main and A4 surfing along in the high 50’s latitude S. The funny part about it is that there is hardly any darkness that far south, so we can see where we are going and of course any hard water around.
One thing is for sure we are not going to run out of coffee or food on this trip. We do have to clear customs when we arrive as we cleared out from Wellington, I wonder what they will think when they figure we have taken almost 2 weeks to travel about 400nm…
Been keeping a close eye on the rest of the fleet - were very concerned watching one 3 hour report with Nick and Phillippa doing 1.9 kts at about 100 deg to course - a big ‘oh no’ moment for us, thinking they had lost thier rig and were drifting. Thankfully they hadn’t, just in even worse conditions that we left days ago.
Ross is well, however drugged to the eyeballs - nothing too heavy, just enough to knock you around. So it makes for some interesting conversations, mainly when he is asleep. The course of drugs recommended by Dr Spike from MSOS has kept the pain under control, and it takes a bit of discipline on Rosses part to maintain the course to keep the pain at bay, rather than the natural instinct of dosing up, pain goes away so stop taking anything. Learnt that the hard way. We are diverting to Tauranga and anticipate being there in 24 to 28 hours. This is to get Ross off the boat and to specialists as soon as possible, we had him booked in Auckland for Friday, but the forecast is getting lighter and lighter so we may not make it there in time. Should surgery be needed, then he will get it done as soon as physically possible to be back up and running in the very near future.
Bruce and Cam are very kindly giving up their time to come and help me get the boat to Auckland - will feel quite crowded! Jan is driving them down and Ross back, the initial thought of Ross taking a rental car was pretty quickly dismissed as not the greatest idea we have had.
So we will arrive in Auckland on Friday some time, might link up with the local Friday afternoon Rum Race on the Waitemata if we time it right! Plan is so far to get the boat tidied up, pull the rig and effect repairs up there, then make a plan for the future.
Lots of messages of support coming in still. Thank you everyone, they are all appreciated - please rest assured we are both well and getting plenty of rest.
See you all soon,
Campbell.
You would have seen by now the news that we are headed back to Auckland. A tough way to have a year of blood, sweat and tears collapse in front of you. Although cursing every minute of the last day or so of bashing and crashing upwind towards the ice gate, we had played it out pretty well we feel, had set ourselves up nicely and were as settled in as you could be in those conditions - a nice southerly position (not as far south as we would have liked but that is another discussion for another day), and very comfortable with where our nearest competitors were. I guess it was a small mercy to have the horrendous conditions entering Cook Straits at the end of Leg 2 so fresh in our memories as it took the edge off of and had us better prepared for the huge seas and 40+ knots were were facing.
We had a few failures as can be expected in these conditions - notably the 4mm thick stainless steel strap that connects our mainsheet block to the traveller car blowing up - quickly fixed with a lashing - but gives an idea of the shock loads we were putting through this tough old boat.
One huge wave, and the instant it started to happen I knew what had happened. We rolled into a crash tack then around into a crash gybe and another tack. Anyone watching from above would think we were taking a penalty turn. I was clinging on for dear life in the cockpit trying to simultaneously grab the tiller, disengage the highly confused pilot, hold on for dear life and figure out which way was up. All the while screaming in sheer rage at the situation. While I was venting my anger Ross was in agony in the cabin. On leg 2 he took a couple of tumbles that would have stretchered off any mere mortal, with a bruise on one hip that looked like someone had taken to him with a baseball bat. Coupled with a severe blow to the abdomen a few days later - was only acknowledged with a mere ‘that hurts a bit’ and ‘hope we have some more of those anti-inflammatories’. Tough old bugger my old man. Any other day I would have just said stubborn old bugger. So to see him in that much pain me ant we had an issue: facing the next 6000nm with one of us in agony and the loss of all wind instruments (if it was possible we would have repaired at sea) therefore effective pilot, seriously compromised our performance and safety.
So here we are, 1100nm from Auckland, riding the huge waves we previously spent 24 hours working so hard against in the other direction. They are just as big going this way so still having a few hairy rides at 19 kts with a triple reefed main and jib up.
All our friends, fans, family and supporters, thank you for your support and messages we have recieved.
Will keep you posted on progress and the future as it unfolds.
Campbell.
There is a competition on board - who has made the best cake. It’s between my mother-in-law Maureen,(Xmas cake) our friend Janine (Xmas cake) and her daughter Jamie (chocolate slice).
I want to eat it all now (to reduce weight on the boat) but Campbell, being his organised self, wants to spread it out so the winner won’t be announced till later on in the leg. We have sampled all the pieces but not enough to form an opinion - sorry.
The initial sampling would show it’s going to be close. They are all bloody beautiful. Jan, my wife, was invited to submit an entry but she made a cake for the opposition - Halvard and Miranda. I tried to slip some sleeping pills into the cake mix but got caught!!!
A very famous old story - a Spanish Whitbread boat skipper from a previous race was pissing his crew off so much they dropped sleeping pills into his coffee!!
Not much happening on board, same old same old - eat sail and a little bit of sleep. Heading down south at the moment and our main opposition are following us but we have managed to get at least 30 miles more southing so we hope it will pay off. Its a complicate weather package to get back to the ice gate.
Speak soon. Ross
Hi everyone,
A quick note. You would have seen our move - don’t panic we think we know what we are doing - we are investing in the future.
We spent yesterday and last night heavy running alongside our French mates, pushing hard and no sleep - very enjoyable but we have now split from the main fleet.
Campbell has been studying weather maps for hours we are going to try and catch up on some sleep today and some food.
Speak soon.
Ross
Morning sports fans, a little delayed in the first blog for Leg 3 of the GOR. Taken us a while to settle back into life on board the boat, both of us feeling pretty under the weather until this morning - much like a pretty powerful hangover - lack of sleep, poor discipline in eating (and in my case anything that was eaten pretty quickly reappeared over the back of the boat). Headaches and grumpiness was the status quo for the first 24 hours on board - putting that down to caffeine withdrawals following the almost hourly dose of long blacks and flat whites from the Empire cafe in Chaffers marina.
In all a great stopover in Windytown. We had a great time and felt superbly looked after and welcomed - the local interest in the event was very ecnouraging. Can’t even start thanking everyone enough for their cheerful helpfulness, and general support. A great sendoff too - hopefully all the spectators enjoyed it…
Start day - mixed emotions - yet again bidding farewell to loved ones - and looking forward to charging out to sea. In my case now the distance to my family is reduceing rather than increasing…
Had a pretty shocking start - sorry about that, a bit of mis-timing on time to the boat end of the line, however recovered pretty quickly, nice exit to the harbour, then a brutal awakening to the Cook Straits and Pacific Ocean. Seems quite some time ago we were bashing and crashing upwind away from NZL. A light first night at sea in very close company with the French and Cessna, has kept us on our toes.
Today we are on good shape, Halvard and Miranda are 0.75nm to leeward, we are both running in 30 kts under main and big jib. We have had the debate as to go for a spinnaker, but for now we are quite comfortable and are reeling them in. Cessna are about 5nm off our transom, they speared off over night - we suspect they have sail issues - but we know how hard they can push so have a weary eye over our shoulder. The future for this leg is pretty straight forward over the next couple of days, then very complex.
Chatham Islands are about 50nm off our port bow, with the sparking sea and brilliant sunshine we have today it must be a wonderful holiday destination!
Way overdue for a 2 hour sleep (amazing how quickly can roll back into the schedule - takes far longer to get back to a normal on land routine…) so signing off.
Campbell.
Just before the wind instruments got blown off the rig it was 38 knots and then it got windier. Now we estimate a solid 30 gusting 40 with breaking seas.
Great place this Cook Strait.
The poor old boat has suffered some damage, it’s fill of water, wet sails and sailing gear - it’s a shambles but we have only 12 more hours left. The crew are suffering - Campbell has a black eye from head butting the forestay - I have bruises everywhere from being thrown around the boat.
Are we enjoying it? NO, but this is only a tiny percentage of some of the best sailing in the world.
Congratulations to Cessna. Conrad and Sam sailed billiantly and thoroughly deserve their win - bloody well done.
Come down later today and see us.
Cheers.
Ross
First sighting of land today after more than 4 weeks, the glistening, snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps of the South Island. Quite a spectacular sight in the late afternoon sun, lifting our spirits somewhat. Less than 48 hours to go to Wellington, both of us are desperate to get in - this has been a very long leg!
Still bashing and crashing in a very confused Tasman sea state, but moderate winds and pointing directly at the mark. Looks like the Cook Straits will dish us up a bit of a hammering, however will only be for a few hours until we turn left into the harbour.
Campbell.
I have just seen the Green Flash - at 2130 NZT on the 28.12.11 about 100 miles off the west coast of New Zealand. Absolutely unbelievable. I have witnessed so many sunsets at sea waiting for the green flash, and never seen it until today. There is so much talk about it, whether it actually happens or not- there was always doubt in my mind. This mystical flash apparently happens with the final tip of the sun dips under the horizon. This is bigger than Ben Hur!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No more news really, we’re beating up the west coast of the south island, 270 miles from Farewell Spit and then down Cook Strait into Wellington. Sounds easy, no its not - we’re going to get hammered with 30+knot head winds which will round off a windy leg.
Cessna 100 miles head, and looking good, but we haven’t given up yet. There are a few options left.
Everything is well on board, nice sunny day and we dried out all the gear, in particular our wet sleeping bags - we ave been sleeping in wet bags for over a week now - not nice.
No more snacks or coffee left on board but we have heaps of food .
Speak soon.
Rosses blog yesterday only tells one side of the story. The winch incident kept me entertained for about 20 minutes, better than an episode of Top Gear. Winch bits everywhere, springs popping in all directions. All the gears and everything assembled and I have to admit it is a bit of a juggle to land everything back on the base in all the right places at the best of times. Problem is that once you offer the assembled gears to the winch base there is no going back, to have to take a step back and try again means all the gears fall out of place and start again. Attempt no. 1 wasn’t bad but not quite right, a fair amount of wiggling and jiggling of parts, brow furrowing from Ross. Lift off again and replace the gears and try again. Attempt no. 2 was close but not close enough, eyebrows fully creased, a few choice words and I managed to maintain my composure. Retreat and start reassembling the gears, and by now I could tell that the frustration level had risen sufficiently for this to get really interesting.
Time to get some popcorn, the entertainment is really going to start. I Did manage to maintain my composure, and refrained from offering advice as I knew that it would mean shows over with the statement “well you bloody do it then smartarse”. Attempt no.3 was valiant, but no better than no 1 or 2. Lots of wigging of the parts, screwdriver employed to lever stuff in place (never going to work), and I prepared myself to interfere and halt all entertainment as I saw that the hammer was sitting on top of the tool bag at Rosses feet. I could see the steam coming out of his ears and this was all a bit too much for me and cracked up. It was at this stage that the entire winch got thrown at the bucket, kicked into the corner of the cockpit and Ross went below. A great morning’s entertainment on what was otherwise a dull few hours. I quietly put the thing back together a few hours later - I had previously stripped and reassembled all the winches so had a fair idea how to get back into place successfully. Still gives me a quiet chuckle.
Little episodes of entertainment like this are important when sailing with your father for more than 30 days at a time. On a more conventional crew of unrelated males there is a lot of story telling, mostly to do with amusing exploits and indiscretions in our younger years that usually involve beer, women and cars. Don’t worry honey, spouses are never discussed. Most stories are embellished, and it is convention to not ruin a good story with the truth. Many, many hours are filled with these stories, and the best are relayed and told over and over again, probably to no where near the original truth. These stories are vital for the general sense of humour on a boat, the survival of a group of males in a very confined space.
So thank god we have these winch incidents. There are just some things you will never tell your father, and there are more things that you never want to hear from your father. On one hand I would spend as much time apologising as telling stories, on the other there are just things that you should never, ever know.
