Whangaroa to Queen Charlotte Sound

Last light at Whangaroa after a long day and we were off on the dawn patrol so it was early to bed.

Deb was still asleep as we motored out of the harbor at 0600. SUn is coming up later now – around 0700.

Our track took us north around North Cape and then westerly around Cape Reinga.

For this neck of the woods, the weather was pancake flat. It is here that the Tasman and the Pacific do battle with each other for dominance. Adding to the forbidding sense of the place are weird currents and the inhospitable iron coast.

Off the end of Cape Reinga, there is a large sandbank waiting for those who aren’t wary.

Night is coming earlier now.

Our route took us well offshore but we decided to trend toward the coastline to avoid some unfavorable winds.

If the radar screens look blank it is because they were – nobody out there but us. We didn’t see anyone until a fishing boat (100 meter variety) hailed us down south when the AIS showed us coming close – no big deal – we gave way – tonnage rules (The big guy makes the rules). Their Skipper and I had a nice chat – certain sense of fellowship being at sea on a lonely night with no one else around.

The Tasman (as per the Night Watch post) continued to be kind to us until we made the turn into Cook Straight between the North and South Island – the seas there reminded me of the Gulf Stream when modest winds oppose the current. Nothing big, just very short period and square. A gentle reminder (like the Gulf Stream) that you don’t trifle with the Straight when the wind really howls.