Steaming towards New Zealand

Today is our second day at sea after leaving Hobart. The departure from Hobart was quite beautiful and we were fortunate that we were having dinner at a window table on the side of the boat that looked out over the cliffs as we passed. Supposedly we passed the southern most tip of something – conflicting statements abound here alas and one is constantly thrown back on the guidebooks to confirm some of the assertions. Anyway we are definitely in what is referred to as the “frightful forties” or the “formidable forties” or the “furious forties” - sorry Catherine is asleep or I would check with her – we’re at the longitude that gets real windy because there is no land between here and the bottom of Africa or something like that. Don’t take my word for it, go look at a globe – it’s pretty scary to think about actually. We are cruising along at a steady 14.5 knots and even though it is windy on deck and a bit chilly there isn’t much of a swell (that is good). I, of course, did not pack enough warm clothes and am wearing out the one pullover (a lovely lavender fleece from Land’s End for those of you who want to know) that I did bring. I will probably feel compelled to shop for something warm when next in port!

Tomorrow (the 15th) we will be cruising along Milford Sound – a 10-mile (16km) fiord that is part of Fiordland National Park. According to our butler, Claudiu, the fiord is featured in Lord of the Rings. I cannot personally vouch for this as I only saw parts one and two and wasn’t concentrating on the scenery too much. Catherine may be able to confirm as she is more expert on this, except when distracted by Vigo Mortensen.

Once we leave the Milford Sound we will travel overnight to our first New Zealand port which is Dunedin. We’re booked on the Otago Harbor Wildlife cruise that morning and hope to walk around the city in the afternoon (I’ll be looking for large-sized warm clothing). Would someone – Rachel or Ross if you are reading this – please settle a dispute on the pronunciation of this town? I’ve been saying it as though it was Scottish as in dun-eh-DIN and Catherine says dun-EH-din – I don’t suppose either one of us is right but would like something more definitive before attempting to say it in front of others.

…Catherine just awoke for long enough to tell me that it is the “roaring forties” – frankly I think my versions are more interesting, what did those ancient mariners know anyway.
That concludes my ramble for the day. I’m going back to some strenuous resting. More tomorrow.