The Gisborne Bypass

After thinking and writing so much about (not) getting to Gisborne, the bright lights went past our port beam at 2.30am. 

We left Napier at 3.25 pm, after an interesting refuel from a bowser more than 5m above the boat. Conditions were inglorious in Napier, muggy and rainy for carrying supplies etc, but glorious once we got going... sunny 26 deg C, 12 knot balmy southeaster at 30 degrees apparent, champagne sailing (actually cider, an accidental purchase due to beer-esque packaging).  Sadly, the lovely breeze dropped out near Mahia which we rounded at 10pm and became a 3-knot easterly so we had to disturb the tranquility with the iron sail for a while.  

It's now 12.45, and we're about 40 mins from the East Cape - East Island gap.  We've 14 knots of breeze from the NE (this trip staying true to form by so far not having anything but upwind conditions).  We're hoping the the wind direction won't change when we turn NW around East Cape. Yeah right.