Whisper it quietly. This is a top spot. Don’t want crowds to turn up. Although it’s a bit of an effort to get here so I don’t think there’s much chance it’s about to become the new Newcastle Quayside hotspot.

We are tucked up in Disappointment Cove with our new North Island NZ buddies Cyril and Janine who are also here on their boat. It’s been home for 6 nights and is a ‘snug as a bug’ all weather anchorage. We’ve used the dinghy to get about to other coves, deserted beaches, walking trails, fishing spots and scallop hangouts.

The sun has shone, the sand flies have been very manageable and we’ve loved being here. It’s very much a make your own entertainment kind of place. Last night and this morning have been windy. The forecast for the Foveaux Strait, the body of water between the bottom of South Island and Stewart Island was for 60 knots of wind. Disappointment Cove with it’s all round protection has been a grand choice to hole up in. We are anchored and have three other lines out to add extra protection for Grace. We’d spent money last year on 100m floating lines for this very purpose. It felt good to dust them off and play with them.

After two weeks of wilderness living, we will make a move soon towards Oban, the main (only) town on the island. There is no chocolate on Grace and it’d be healthy to pick up some freshies, top up on petrol for the dinghy and treat ourselves to an ice cream.

And here’s a sea-lion playing with the dinghy paddle. Hope it brings a smile to your face.