Dunedin

Finally we had the weather to leave Stewart Island for Dunedin. We left fairly early which meant we had a 4 m swell to begin with but we managed to keep the wind all the way to Tairoa Head. A couple of boats had left a bit later and found themselves with the same swell but lighter winds. Luckily by the time the wind died we had lost the swell and we could still sail. At Tairoa Head we could see some of the albatross ashore and also fur seals and sealions (why did we go to the subantarctic again?!). We waited for the tide at Carey's Bay and drifted down the rest of the way under jib accompanied by dolphins. We tied up in the Otago Yacht Club basin along with 'Sula' and 'Stokes' who had come up from Stewart Island at the same time. Dunedin put on some great weather (to the locals who tried to claim its always like this I used to live here remember!). Sunday was the great washing day for all three boats, the marina machine getting a workout. It was good to catch up with some friends in Dunedin and I also called in to the department. The OYC is nicely in walking distance of the University and town. When we had finished the bits we needed to do in Dunedin and the weather was starting to look good we returned to Carey's Bay admiring the fog which was rolling down the harbour (we managed to avoid the worst of it). Unfortunately the forecast SW winds didn't really eventuate and the engine saw quite a bit of use as we headed further north. The calm seas were a very nice change however! Saw large groups of both Dusky and Hector's dolphins, the Dusky dolphins putting on quite a jumping and splashing performance. After a brief stop in Lyttleton we continued on to the Marlborough Sounds and are looking forward to relaxing in the Nelson/Marlborough region, hopefully catching the last of the summer (touch wood!).