Golden Bay to Glory Bay and beyond

 Up anchor to cross the inlet to Goose Cove in Glory Bay late in the day.  Squally winds of 25 knots hit us crossing the bay.  Cold!  Grey seas with whitecaps. Lost the light as we maneuvered through the headlands and occasional marked rocks. Big 35 knot gusts hit us as we entered Glory Bay, by now dark, Mimu taking full force of the winds howling in the rigging, used the spotlight to maneuver as close to the land as possible for much needed shelter from the north westerlies.

Anchor down, 4:1 scope, expecting a disturbed night, heating on, laundry pegged everywhere over the boat to dry, fantastic curry for dinner, bed at 8.30pm with wheaty bags.

Wind howling and shrieking through the rigging, clanging and banging, anchor chain jerking, pulling, straining, Mimu pulling off to port, then to starboard ... 11pm rain on the hatch, 1.15am a slight lull, 3.30am dancing around, 4am severe tug on the anchor chain, 5am more rain, 6.30am quiet, a lull.  

Lots of windage on Mimu, big rig, huge mast, staysail and genoa, fin keel - looking at putting out a second anchor tonight to lessen the boat's movement, straining, jerking, dancing around on the anchor chain.  Drizzle bringing slightly warmer temperatures, no condensation this morning.

9am anchor up - its dug deep into the mud, seashells and kelp. Wind still howling.  Destination Oban to refuel, take on water, crew moving aboard.  Lunch at the pub, look through the museum which is another highlight of the trip - so much history.  Heading off south around the island, Tuesday Port Pegasus to the bottom corner of the island, ready for Wednesday to make a dash across the Roaring Forties - an overnighter to Fiordland.  Looking like we have a wee weather window in our favour.

The next level of foul weather gear - ski wear ready for the Antarctic!

It's going to be merino, ski jacket/pants, foul weather jacket/pants over the top, ski boots, hat, gloves ....

But it's toasty warm down below!

A note - may not have wifi for the next few days!!