One thing is very clear from Mike’s time moored at Milford Sound: he needs to write a book!
If you haven’t been following along with Mike’s blog posts on our tracker page, he’s had the time to write some often poetic and sometimes hilarious accounts of what has been happening in lonely Deepwater Basin. They are highly enjoyable reads so please take the time to look through them all!
To recap, Mike made a run for Milford Sound last Tuesday 15 September after getting fed up with the thrashing wind and high seas. He arrived safely by about midday and was able to moor in Deepwater Basin. The area is eerily empty, however, as avalanches have closed the main road. No tourist vessels or groups were to be seen in the popular spot, though Mike did make friends with two recently-redundant Air New Zealand pilots who arrived two days before him on their catamaran.
The first three days spent in Milford were rain, rain and more rain. Mike called it “a world of water” in one of his blog posts describing the wet weather:
“I feel like I am living in some mystical water world where it never stops raining and everything lives and breathes in a liquid medium. All words and thoughts relate back to the elements of wind and water against the backdrop of the soaring rocky peaks that surround me and whose roots cradle the deep green depths on which I ride.”
– From “A world of water” blog post on Thursday 17 September 2020
After a rather scary sounding attempt to get back to his boat at night in the pouring rain, Mike successfully was able to return to the “scene of domestic bliss” inside Cavatina‘s cabin. Thank goodness for the diesel heater he installed!
“Down below in the cabin it is a scene of domestic bliss. The diesel heater keeps the cabin toasty warm and this morning I did a week’s worth of washing which is now hanging to dry above the heater.”
– From “The wind is going backwards” blog post on Wednesday 16 September 2020
Luckily, despite the road closures, Mike was able to order a spare autopilot jam from Half Moon Bay Marine Electrical and they managed to get it shipped to him with the Fiordland Lobster Company! The roads were finally reopened on Saturday 19 September with “a cacophony of sound” as helicopters, staff, boats and tourists alike descended upon Milford Sound all at once. A delivery truck from Fiordland Lobster Company was also in the mix with Mike’s autopilot jam in tow.
“The Fiordland Lobster Company bloke came on the radio to say my autopilot had arrived in the crayfish truck so I whizzed excitedly over in the inflatable and picked it up. To his bemusement I kissed and cuddled the box, but after I had explained that this was my new best friend he said he totally understood.”
– From “Sounds in the silence” blog post on Saturday 19 September 2020
Despite the wind, rain, and bitter cold Mike has been able to make much-needed repairs, refuel, and reorganise things after the difficult days sailing to the sounds. One of the improvements was a “patent pending Ultimate Wind Deflector” invention for the diesel heater chimney that Mike made out of part of a Heineken beer can he found in a dumpster!
The weather is beginning to clear and winds have reduced, although they are still reading around 25 knots out where Mike and Cavatina will be sailing. It sounds like Mike is eager to get back out there soon! He is expected to make for Doubtful Sound on Monday 21 September. Be sure to watch this space for more as Mike and Cavatina begin the next leg of their adventure.
A very heartfelt thank you
Thank you all so much for your positive words of encouragement to Mike and generous donations to Waiheke Working Sail’s September fundraiser. We have now raised more than $4500 in donations to help repair the Kate and keep WWS teaching youth about seafaring skills and wooden boat restoration. Every little bit helps and if you have the ability to donate, please consider doing so through our Givealittle page. Thank you again!
