#92 NOW March 10, 2006 0720UTC +13 hours (New Zealand Daylight Time) Anchored in Oamaru Harbour S4506.4 E17058.5 Temp. 49 Windlight from SW Hello from Oamaru, NZ Well, I have been negligent and it is time to catch up. Since so much has happened, I am going to break this up into a couple of NOWs. This first one will take us from Cuddle Cove, where I left off, up to Bluff. We stayed several days in Cuddle Cove waiting for the weather to improve. Since we had not cleared customs into New Zealand, it was rather confining to look at this majestic fjord land and not be able to go ashore. Eventually, a small window of good weather appeared for the 85 miles that we had left to go. With Puysegur Point reporting only 13 knots of wind and a forecast for winds to 35 knots on our arrival at Bluff (which is the harbor town for Invercargill) we departed Cuddle Cove around 10:00 AM All went well at first and we made good time. However, there was an update on the weather and the strong winds turned into gale winds. With nowhere else to go, we continued with Bluff harbor now reporting winds to 45 knots with gust to 60. On top of this, I was breaking one of my rules by arriving at a new destination after dark. The entry to Bluff involves several legs, which have some very good range markers. I had also taken the time to enter GPS points into the GPS. Even though the wind was howling, the entry was fairly easy. Docking was another matter. Anyone who has been to Bluff will meet Mary. This lovely lady runs the show for the Southern tip of New Zealand. She provides weather reports, docking instructions, arranges for customs and immigration clearance, and can tell you where the best restaurant in town is located (ah actually, there is only one restaurant in town). So, with Marys help we were directed to a wharf and tied up with some stout 2 to 3 inch dock lines. It was nice being securely attached to mother earth. The Tasman Sea had given us quite a ride, and certainly lived up to its reputation. Around 11:30 PM, the Quarantine Officer came by and confiscated a few things. Then about midnight customs arrived and we completed the paper work for our entry into New Zealand. These gentlemen were very courteous and helpful, and after 10 days, we were able to take the Q flag down and step ashore. Bluff is a working harbor with large ocean going container ships and mammoth tankers. There is also a large fishing fleet located here. These hardy fishermen have a tough life, braving unbelievable weather in their stout little vessels. Everyday we would get the latest weather report and everyday the winds would be blowing a gale and this is the good season of the year. Jim had to return to the US. His good sense of humor and many years of sailing experience have been greatly appreciated. Life is a Cruise, Larry -- Larry Rick Done Dreamin' Nordhavn 40 #33 Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/Dads%20Web/doneDreamnHome.htm