DIED AND GONE TO NEW ZEALAND

That is the name of the article in the March 2012 issue of Backpacker Magazine. It's a "schedule", if you will, of what to see and do for thirty days. The weather is a bit like the Pacific Northwest - very unpredictable, with rain possible at any time. I was fortunate and have been able to follow the article very closely. Here goes:



Campervan complete with 2-burner gas cooker, fridge and sink



Rotorua has over 50 miles of maintained MTB trails



Barely survived




Tongariro, NZ's first national park was next



:



On the way up Mt. Ngaurahoe



It looked steeper when I was climbing
 It has erupted 45 times in the last century

The roof of Tasmania

                 All three days of the hike were perfect weather. New Zealand is next... all for now.

Sunrise on the Overland Track

Now you've seen a Tasmainain Devil

The climb to the islands higest point, Mount Ossa

Sorry For The Absence..

A lot has happened since September 26th. I put "Flyer" on a mooring at Lake Macquarie where she will stay until the end of cyclone season (May), when I will resume my voyage. I flew back to the States to visit then returned with my good friend Steve Jackson for "whirlwind" tour of Australia. I returned to the States again for Christmas then flew back to OZ on Jan 22. After picking up my gear it was off to Tasmaina to hike the Overland Track, the islands premier walking track (trail). The weather was magnificant for the 80k (50 mile) trek.

The Lodge at Cradle Mountain

Stunning

LAND HO.....

Of the 10,000 miles that have passed under the keel since leaving the Florida coast in March, the last 90 were the most challenging. The wind started to build on the morning of the 25th and by noon it was 35-40 knots. Fortunately I had reduced sail early and the wind was on the port quarter (from the left rear). At about 2:00, a large wave swept over the boat and she was partially knocked down (about 75 degrees from upright). I was sailing with a double reefed mainsail only and the boom was held out to starboard by a preventer. When we were knocked down, the boom went in the water and the shackle on the preventer failed. From that point on I had to hand steer, as the seas were 15-20 feet. As if the weather wasn't enough, the waterproofing in my foul weather gear had deteriorated and so I was cold and wet for 14 hours. The breakwater of Newcastle harbour was a welcome sight to say the least. I tied up to the customs buoy at 4:30 am. Thank you Flyer for taking care of me.

I will leave the boat on a mooring here and return to the States for awhile. I'll then return to Australia and tour the country with trips to Tasmania and NZ.

Lord Howe Island.... Stunning



Sunset from the wharf



Balls Pyramid in the distance



The lagoon from Mt. Gower

Approaching Lord Howe Island

Sunrise in New Caldonia

The last Hinano... a sad moment

10,000 miles under the keel