Final stretch to NZ
Trip Start
Jan 14, 2006
1
21
44
Trip End
Ongoing
Noumea,
New Caledonia
Saturday, November 4, 2006
We are now back in the water after only 10 days in the boatyard and have managed to repair the rudder and autopilot damage. We took the time out of the water to give the hull a much-needed cleaning and also sorted some of the on-board electrics out ready for NZ. After spending nearly 3 weeks in New Caledonia and not seeing anything of the country but Noumea and the boat yard we have decided to leave for NZ early and are heading off this Sunday.
Leaving on Sunday, we will hopefully make the 900 mile passage to Opua, Bay of Islands in 6 days so we'll be in NZ in a week! It's quite surreal to finally be pointing for the Land of the Long White Cloud after being on Shambhala for nearly 10 months. In one way I'm going to be sad to make the last long passage for a while but in another I am really looking forward to day-long cruises between anchorages. What I am looking forward to the most is spending some time off the boat. I love the cruising life and love living on the boat, but I'm glad that I have the chance to now experience the beauty of a country and her people from the land.
We have a few things to do to the boat (e.g. put a new fridge in as we haven't had a working fridge for 4 months) and are going to be busy finding a perfect spot for Dad and Sophie's wedding, which is planned for early December. Jenny and Sam (Sophie's mum and brother) are flying out for a month over Christmas along with my dear friend from Plymouth Uni, Tom, so we will have a busy boat at times and I can't wait to hit the tramping trails with Mr.Deacon.
My plans for the near future are to find a job in NZ asap to get some cash together and spend a couple of years in NZ working and travelling. But for now, we are all excited about getting down to the Bay of Islands, to cheaper shores and easy summer cruising.
I hope you are all well and I miss you loads,
Lots of love,
Tom xxx
