Fiordland to Nelson

40:27:65S
172:39:78E
Cape Farewell.
The wind swung around to the south and
west, a perfect window for departure and sail up to Nelson. Once out of the
sounds we set the sails and for the first 6 hours had a great sail up the coast
enjoying the dramatic scenery. Mollymawks and Albatross kept us company. Then
the wind died so we slogged it out under engine for two days until close to Cape
Farewell the wind finally filled in. It had been too calm for those huge birds
to fly. The large object in the distance that looked like an empty white
container floating on the surface of the sea turned into a paddling wandering
albatross. It took him quite a long time before he got lift off. The beauty of the sounds is their
different moods that can change in a heartbeat. When the clouds hang about the
fiords it feels mysterious and primeval.
Then when the sun breaks through, waterfalls crash where none were
previously and glaciers sparkle in the distance. Calm and dreamy waters can be whipped
into a maelstrom within minutes. Then there is the fishing for cod, out with the
line and within seconds you have tea for two!