The Bight

On the 26^th April we departed the beautiful Middle Island at 6.30am in a brisk northerly breeze of about 15 knots. During the night the wind had gradually built in strength and the anchorage became bouncy. Peter says, ‘It is to be noted that the Rocna held us tight.’ It was good to get out of there after a fitful night’s sleep being on a lee-shore and the worries that come with that position.

The northerly kept us moving at 5 – 6 knots all day and built in the evening so we put a reef in the main as evening approached. The sea became very lumpy and as the sea and swell were opposite each other, quite uncomfortable. We both had queasy periods. As the night progressed we rolled in more headsail and generally had an uncomfortable night and were glad to see the morning. That was our initiation and was also the worst sailing conditions that we had for the whole trip.

From the 27h to the 30^th April the wind was very light, even with the passage of a weak cold front, which brought in SW winds for a short time. Mostly the light winds had E in them so the trip was slow and we used the motor a lot.

The only sea life we saw was a pod of Pilot Whales. (at least we think they were being too big for dolphins and too small for other whales) We have seen Mutton Birds and Albatross gliding the waves looking for lunch. They are both graceful fliers and watching them is seeing perfection in flight. As for human life the Bight has very little. One ship passed us on the second night but it was so far away that it was only a pinprick of light. The AIS picked up several other ships, but they were too far away to see. However thousands of people came and went every day as we were directly under one of the flight paths between east and west and it was amazing how many flights passed on that route.

Southern Ocean Swell

I should mention the swell – huge. I am very glad our trip was relatively windless because I would not want to witness these monsters in an angry mood. The most awe inspiring was when the boat was on the top of one swell looking down the metal grey trough and up to the next one rolling through. Mostly it is best not to look or think about the predicted cold front.