Docking in 15-20 knots of wind in a tiny narrow spot was a little stressful but surprisingly nailed it! 😅

Time to put the boat to bed for 6 weeks while we go back to work. Nice downwind sail with consistent 25-30 knots of wind (2 reefs in). Had one section close to the coast where we hit a strong tidal rip and everything stood up to 3+ metre waves in like 5 second periods… 😬 luckily it was short lived. Dark when we arrived so just picked up a mooring and will head to the marina in the morning after 😴

Just a short trip to move anchorages but ended up being quite sporty! Wind from 8 knots gusting up beyond 30… downwinding for the win. Then took the sail down to go through a narrow pass and our intended anchorage didn’t look good so went in search of another and eventually found one.

Just a little motor to switch up our anchorage as the wind shifted directions. Found a nice little protected cove.

Started the day with motor sailing but then the wind picked up so got some really nice 15 knot upwind sailing in. Primo!!! Lots of dolphins came to check us out on the way too! Sail down to go through the narrow current filled Tory Channel and back into Marlborough Sounds. This completes our circumnavigation of the South Island of New Zealand!!!! 🤩

Leaving Banks Peninsula after a few days sheltering from the weather at the marina. Headed north to Marlborough Sounds, pulled into Kaikoura to see if we could spot any whales. No whales but Dusky dolphins! (The 4th dolphins species to ride our bow!!) Decided to stop and anchor for the (2nd) night as the wind died anyway. Awesome downwind sail. Overnight was spicy with 3+ metre seas at 8-9 second intervals and 25-30 knots of wind. Two reefs in and still cooking along at 8+ knots! 🤟 Sleep now and will finish the trip tomorrow.

Can’t believe we are on our way north again! All the way from Stewart Island to Christchurch. First night very little wind (but bioluminescent dolphins!!!) and then pretty steady wind the rest of the trip. And made it into Lyttleton Marina before the storm hit! And had the rare Hector’s dolphins bow riding coming around the Banks Peninsula!

Quick trip around the corner to the beautiful pest free Ulva Island. The morning of rainbows!

Had to do something to get out for a little explore…

Motored over to anchor up and go for a walk to Puyseger Lighthouse. Super shallow channel coming in so went super slow but well worth it.

Super cool arches and caverns to explore. Bit of swell!

It was a soggy one! 🌧️ But winds higher than forecast (25 knots rather than 10!) so got some downwinding in! 👏 Then wind died off and had to motor the last bit. Beautiful scenery!

Morning cruise in the rain to check out the outer islands before we leave.

So epic through all the islands and narrow passes! And tons of fur seal pups AND a shark!! (And for reference, the fur seal pup came up to the GoPro and was super curious!!)

Short trip this morning to a flipping idyllic spot amongst many islands, tucked away in a cove surrounded by fur seals! On the way got boarded by Department of Conservation who checked our hull (all clean and pest free!)

Final dinghy explore of the day! Picked up a mooring at Cascade Cove and then dinghied over to where Captain Cook moored his boat at Pickersgill Harbour. Short walk up the boardwalk and the creek to Lake Forster. And then dinghy back via the little islands of Indian Island. Super cool!

Afternoon move to our spot for the evening. What a calm, beautiful day. Happy to find a mooring for the night! 🙌

Went for a little solo rip in the dinghy. The reflections in here were insane! And found where everyone stores their cray pots!!!

Quick morning motor to check out Earshell Cove and ‘The Basin’ by dinghy. Just picked up a mooring ball and ripped over to check it out.