Location: 40° 55.7 S, 173° 57.9 E
Monday 12:00, 05.21.2007

We are moored in Homestead Bay, Port Ligur, in Pelorus Bay. We are at 40° 55.7S, 173° 57.8E. Port Ligur is rather grand as a name for a place that has three houses and one boat. There are oyster farms all around, so maybe there is more action than it appears. The wind has petered out, at least where we are, surrounded by mountains. The sky is clear with the new moon bright in the West. “Town” has just a single light on.

We have only come perhaps 10 NM as the crow (Black Oystercatcher?) flies. But we covered more like 30 NM as we came around the North end of D’Urville Island and then outside Stephens Island (Takapourewa) and its wild lighthouse. The wind was variable from 10-35 knots and we sailed with the main with two reefs and the jib. The seas west of D’Urville were quite rough with the swell from the old storm, wind waves from the new blow and 2-3 knots of tidal current kicking in from time to time.

Last night at D’Urville Island was a bit hard. We were well protected all around by hills, but the 50 knots outside would hit the anchorage in puffs from time to time, and rather spin us around. We were moored to a Tasman Bay Cruising Club Mooring, three tons worth, with a huge new cable attached. Thank goodness. The puffs would hit us from North to East to South to West and then back again. We would lurch back and forth. It was strong enough that we would take a 10-15 degree heel from one side and then the other. It was strong enough to knock the boom out of the boom gallows even with the main sheet tight! In the morning, we found that we had dragged the three ton mooring about 300 meters Southwest (we couldn’t tell at night because it was very, very dark in driving rain). I will write the TBCC Commodore and offer to pay to have it returned to its spot.

We went ashore during the afternoon to fight our way through the thick forest to the ridge. It was a interesting walk, though rather difficult. But the real joy of going ashore was that Theresa discovered wild oysters and mussels along the shore. We played caveman and hacked a few dozen oysters off the rocks and ate them on the spot. Delicious! We then gathered mussels for the rest, which were cooked that night in garlic and onions.

This is a very serious weather area. Thank goodness that the Maggie B is a big, strong ship. Today the forecast for the Cook Straits between the north and south islands was “55 knots North, easing tonight to 45 knots North.” Easing to 45 knots! But tomorrow it is supposed to just be a “light 15-25 Northwest breeze.” We plan to cross the 46 NM to Wellington tomorrow.

All is well.