Saturday 7^th February.

Even before we had cleared customs, in Auckland 2 crew members (Simon & John) had dressed each other with vegetables to demonstrate their “cabbage head” identity to the Army yacht – something to do with colour of berets apparently!

Following Disco, with Challenger behind, all three challenge boats motored through the Motiuhe Channel into the Hauriki Gulf. By mid afternoon, a high pressure gave rise to 14 knots apparent wind from the East and the race began under full main Yankee 1, and Stay Sail.

Challenger and Disco decided to free off as we stuck inshore BTW, with a 30 degree lift on the Port tack we managed to take the lead. With this and the rising current going in our favour around the Headland of Cape Colville, Adventure were well and truly happy sailors.

After a momentary dropping of the stay sail through the tack to reconnect a hank around the top of the Headland white watch were well and truly in the Groove whilst the rest if the crew enjoyed a comfortable first night in their bunks in the relatively lights airs. Before the night was out the breeze disappeared, and the engine had started. The wind dropped right off the engine had to remain on to maintain an average speed.

It’s Monday now and as I am typing, Andy Burgess is excelling himself yet again. We have Sushi rolls in front of us on the Galley Table,  comprising of Dolphin fish caught off the back rail, served with rice, ginger, wasabi. This is the second  Dolphin fish we have caught. Yesterday, Sunday, we were definitely in touch with nature, Flying Fish, a Dolphin, our first Albatross and the events of Disco catching a “shark” only 200 yards from us made entertainment while the wind was deciding when to kick in. The evening finished with some nice sun downers. The only real events we had were it was too hot to do anything. We fixed the main sail as one batten popped out and a slider came free from the sail and the electronic barometer was re calibrated.

After fighting a 2 knot current around the East Cape the breeze filled in and yet again it was white watch who was on the controls, now known as the lucky watch. At 0200hrs the Yankee, stay sail were up and we were keen to catch Disco who managed to sneak ahead under motor on the inshore track before the wind filled in. 0230 reef 1 was in and by 0300hrs Disco were on the beam and we were looking strong to overtake them whilst they took a more southerly track, we took the speedy SE cutting the mileage. At 1030hrs ADV are 5 miles ahead of Disco, 10 miles ahead of Challenger and a second plate of Sushi is being served. Adventure Out.

Individual shout outs.

Skip

Crew are all doing jolly well!!

Mates

Steve – Hi An, Vicky and Matt, Sarah, Tom and Mavy!  Having loads of fun, hope everything’s fine with you all!  Lots of love xxx

Nikki, It’s time to give!! Please don’t forget my quest to collect 1 pound for every mile raced that’s £8000 for help for Heroes. We up to about 50% online and 60% in total overall, visit  www.justgivingnikkiwoodroffe/

Or just type Just Giving and Nikki Woodroffe into google to be able to donate online! Thank you it WLL make a difference.. as will this trip has done to my life!xx

Red Watch

Simon

To my special girls Estelle and Elizabeth and my darling wife Linda – I think about you all the time. Work hard and play hard – except Linda (don’t work too hard !). You would have loved the sushi – 20min from ocean to plate. Good to be finally underway after the uncertainties in NZ. Miss you all but see you soon.  Thanks to all my friends and relatives in NZ – great to see you all.

Clive

To Francesca, Kyle and Willow.  WOW we have had some big waters, we have a fishing rod attached to the back of the boats and so far have managed to caught 2 fish.  Will see you soon lots of love Daddy x x

Mum and Dad, Sarah, Simon, Bradley, Harry, Trinity and John,  hope you are all well, the seas are treating me well so far with no sea sickness (touch wood) missing you all loads x x

To the mess – not really missing you at all!!  We have managed to have sushi 2 days in a row which is good but would prefer some Special K – soon you all soon, keep smiling

831

Frankie. Hi to all back home, all is well glad to be sailing and away from expensive Auckland!! Luca, Jessica and Sacha thinking of you all the time. Still “Living the Dream”

Laura: Hi everyone. All going well, glad to get sailing and out of Auckland to take on the ocean. Sea legs are starting to work, getting used to being healed over all the time.  Lots of love xxx

White watch

Dave    Hi All! Everything ok this end, tension is building as we leave NZ behind us, missing you all especially you stinky bum!  Be good and concentrate on your hand writing xx, see you very soon xx. GG – keep smiling, soon be home with Baldy, Hel – hope the hand in has all gone ok, Dr Sharp soon!  Tight lines everyone, keep it steady.

John     RCIRO, Hello to you all from the Southern Pacific.  We have found plenty of wind.  I have seen an Albatross, Dolphins and I have caught fish.  So far very exciting.  The Dolphins were at night which was very pretty as they churned up the bio illuminates.  I hope both Charlotte and Isobelle enjoy your friend’s birthday parties.  Love to you all.  Daddy.

Tim Finally seen the back of NZ – more sailing required! Hope all’s well at home – love to you all,

Blue Watch

Steve-  Hi Kaz, Harry and all family and friends that are following us. I am slowly getting the taste for sushi and fresh fish. We now have some wind and are getting down to some sailing, brilliant! Hope all is well back home ta ta for now xx

Paul Hi Gail Jack Ellie  & everyone, my sea legs are working at 30 degrees, on our way to the cape!

Lou Hi Mam, dad and Innis and everyone else that is reading this blog. My sea legs aren’t working too well but I’ll get there. I hope!!!