I remember the first time I saw a folding bike in real life, some people turned up to a cafe in Mt Maunganui with these strange looking bikes and carrying dry bags. “Cruisers” we thought, and we were right. We got chatting and they had sailed half way around the world to get to New…
It’s 4.00am and I am covered in diesel. Soaked in stinky slippery diesel. All over my hands, boots, wet weather gear. Its all over the boat too. Hopefully I actually got some of it in the tank? Andrew does not look impressed. I can’t blame him. I had just woken him up to come and…
Ahh summer holidays in New Zealand, relaxing in the sun, cruising around the beautiful bays of the Marlborough Sounds, rafting up with friends. It’s been a great holiday. Until you read a forecast like this… We beat a hasty retreat to the marina where a friend has kindly lent us his berth to use…
We are currently cruising in the Marlborough Sounds. A beautiful part of the South Island of New Zealand. It’s secluded tree lined bays provide perfect quiet anchorages to spend the night. However despite how quiet and sheltered the bay, there are still plenty of things that will keep you awake on a boat at night. …
Well another delivery trip up the coast has been successfully completed. Wildwood usually lives in Lyttelton, where we sail her all year round. However we like to have our holidays on board in the Marlborough Sounds. This is about 183 nautical miles away. A 30 ish hour passage up the East Coast of the South…
We service Wildwood’s motor every year, and every year I wish I had written down all the various bits I need to do the job. Inevitably we end up missing one vital ingredient, which means another trip in the dinghy, drive in the car to the shop, which will of course have just closed for…
Do you have a sailor in your life? Are you planning on buying them a gift for a birthday, to say thank you, or for Christmas but not sure what to get? Well for goodness sake please do NOT go getting them a puppy or a new lawnmower…
I went to an interesting talk the other night at the Little Ship Club. David & Jackie Peers were talking about their experience in the Philippines when they were in the direct path of Typhoon Haiyan. Their advice – if you are in a port – get off the boat. There is very little you…
We have just returned from a trip to New Caledonia. The entire island is surrounded by a big reef and there are lots of little reefs inside that. Navigation is ok here, as the charts are really well marked, there are nice suggested tracks to follow and lots of cardinal and lateral marks and lighthouses…
I remember the day that Esther Louise arrived in Lyttelton a couple of years ago now. She is a beautiful 54′ Moody and was by far the flashest boat in the area that we had ever seen. I remember thinking then how much I would love to go on board for a look around, and…
Astrolabe Sailing 