Abel Tasman NZ south island 2015-2016
Planning our route across the Cook straits for the first time was a little confusing with local information on tides and departures from Wellington based on a 10 metre yachts ability. With a 12 metre yacht travelling, I like to plan from the most difficult part of the passage, using the weather and tide to my advantage. Then I work backwards to the departure point, which came close to the locals predictions. Our plans were to sail over the top of Stephens island and not go though the French pass due to our late departure and sail through the night onto the Anchorage in Torrent bay. At 1600 on 23 th December Carpe Diem was on her first voyage to the South Island. The passage was prefect with the tide and wind helping us along and at 1400 the next day we were anchored amoungst other cruisers, including sailing friends from Sea Veiw Marina. The reward for taking the long route to the Abel Tasmen saw our freezer stuffed with kingfish and the odd barracuda which we were informed was infested with worms.
From the yacht looking to the beach, this place looks amazing and very active with lots of kayakers and campers, can't wait to go ashore!
From the yacht looking to the beach, this place looks amazing and very active with lots of kayakers and campers, can't wait to go ashore!
The Abel Tasmen really does make us feel like we're in the tropics again, with it's beautiful beaches and surrounding greenery. Not a coconut tree in sight and lots of people having fun.
The fireworks display of the New year was just the icing on a cake.
The fireworks display of the New year was just the icing on a cake.
adel Island
Anchored under the shelter of Adel Island 040 58.722 S 173 03.343 E with other local cruisers, sharing the tidal beach space was the prefect way to get to know each other. As the tide rises the closer we bundle together. There was the odd evening of sundowners on the yellow sand with our portable BBQ mounted on our upside down cockpit table. The sizzling sausages needed monitoring as the company of conversation peered over my shoulder and the kids entertained the watchful eye of the parents. The kids needed no assistance just the warm water of the Abel Tasmen.
It was our new friends from the west coast of the South Island who had sailed from Nelson with their kids, onboard Al Fresco and Stella Maris which saw us climbing to the top of the island. The view as we thought was breath taking, We could see across the bay to D'urville Island and along the coast to Tonga Island and beyond. Kayaks and fizz boats painted a picture of fun at this end of year holiday season.
It was our new friends from the west coast of the South Island who had sailed from Nelson with their kids, onboard Al Fresco and Stella Maris which saw us climbing to the top of the island. The view as we thought was breath taking, We could see across the bay to D'urville Island and along the coast to Tonga Island and beyond. Kayaks and fizz boats painted a picture of fun at this end of year holiday season.
Orca's in the anchorage at Watering cove.
We were invited to yacht Stella Maris for mussels cooked in garlic butter and guess what, a pod of Orca's thought they would swim passed our yacht!
Nelson
We had promised ourselves that we would visit Nelson 041 15.63 S 173 16.88 E, mostly because of the Kiwis we met in Tonga tapu that were from Nelson. They were building a church and we managed to be there for the opening after meeting the local Salvation Army Pastor, Toa who swamped us with her hospitality. Through Toa we met another couple, Maricke and Phillippa and their daughter Charlotte.we spent a lot of time with this lovely family. Our daughter Sadie and Charlotte became very good friends!!
We did get to attend a service in Nelson, unfortunately most of the volunteers that we had met in Tonga were on their Christmas break.
While in Nelson we spent time exploring the town, stretching our legs and enjoying the Marina facilities!! Earlier in our holiday we met Andre and Dana in the Anchorage in Torrent Bay. They very kindly envited us to visit them in Nelson. We had a lovely evening together chatting and sharing our story.
We spent a day at the Port Nelson motorbike races.It was a first for us. The kids got excited everytime the bikes roared passed, making the ground vibrate! Shame it rained!!!
After spending four days in Nelson we sailed back to the Abel Tasman National Park to the sandy beaches and amazing walks.
A coupe of Kingys were caught on the way back, brilliant!!
We did get to attend a service in Nelson, unfortunately most of the volunteers that we had met in Tonga were on their Christmas break.
While in Nelson we spent time exploring the town, stretching our legs and enjoying the Marina facilities!! Earlier in our holiday we met Andre and Dana in the Anchorage in Torrent Bay. They very kindly envited us to visit them in Nelson. We had a lovely evening together chatting and sharing our story.
We spent a day at the Port Nelson motorbike races.It was a first for us. The kids got excited everytime the bikes roared passed, making the ground vibrate! Shame it rained!!!
After spending four days in Nelson we sailed back to the Abel Tasman National Park to the sandy beaches and amazing walks.
A coupe of Kingys were caught on the way back, brilliant!!
Tonga Island
Our first visit to Tonga island NZ 040 53.107 S 173 03.170 E was especially to see the colony of seals. There were a few other yachts here on holiday with their kids which never seemed to be in short supply. The seals were a highlight of the day, but it was the other kids on the beach floating down the small stream that caught our kids attention.
The second visit to Tonga Island came with some incidents. Stella Maris and Al Fresco were also here and we had planned to have another pot luck on the beach (BBQ). The kids had gone ashore, playing cricket above the tide line, whilst the parents were preparing for the evening ashore. It was when we reached the shore, one of the kids off Stella Maris came running, declaring that Jacob, our youngest son was standing behind the wicket and got hit by the swing bat. He was so brave, as he stood still whilst mummy applied steri strips to his cut eye brow. As this was going on, the easterly wind picked up and Stella Maris started to drag her anchor. The yachts had no protection from this direction and we where all exposed to a lee shore. A anchor watch was needed, so it was back to the yachts. We stayed the night, only to roll heavily in the ever growing swells.
Bark bay
Bark bay's 040 54.884 S 173 03.382 E visit was solely to top up on fresh water, but it did come with some interesting situtions. With a south easterly breeze, we were pinned into the corner of this small cove, hanging off a mooring line by the stern cleat. The water came flooding down a 2 inch hose that was floating on the water and tied to the mooring. To my knowledge this is from a small stream further up in the canvas. It didn't take long to fill both tanks with some cold spring water.
Heading for the most talked about French Pass.