Pitufa.at

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• Stormy arrival

  Our usual advice to new arrivals in the Tuamotus is to arrive at an atoll in the morning and to watch the pass for a while to make sure that the conditions to enter are favourable (no wind against current, avoid the mid section of the pass where the current runs quickest, etc.). Of course we were going faster than expected (we did 6-7 knots… Continue reading »

• Eastwards

  The predominant wind direction in the trade wind belt is east. The chain of the Tuamotus is stretched out eastwards from Tahiti, so in order to reach them and then to hop from atoll to atoll, it’s best to wait for a trough or low to move by close enough, to change the wind to the N and then NW. We’ve only been in Tikehau… Continue reading »

• Off to sea!

  We’re finally off again! No more Facebook, no more i-net surfing, just emails and blog posts (which are automatically posted on FB) from now on AND lots of blue, turquoise, sharkies, fishies and hopefully some whales The little island of Makatea lies ahead, we should get there tomorrow.

• Velvet Paws available in the animal shelter Linz

  The animal shelter of the city of Linz (Austria) is also putting our book about Leeloo on display, 5 Euros per book are dedicated to support their wonderful work. Thinking about all those abandoned velvet paws there who are waiting for a new family makes my heart ache… If you’re considering enriching your life with a pet, don’t buy a kitten or puppy from a… Continue reading »

• On Velvet Paws towards a good cause

  Dr. Schneck, the vet in Graz (Austria) who helped us getting all our vaccinations, certificates and titer timings right, has agreed to put up “On Velvet Paws Towards the Horizon” in his veterinary clinic. 5 EUR per book go to a local animal protection organisation. Thanks Dr. Schneck! https://www.tierarzt-schneck.at/

• Leaving Tahiti

  …just for Moorea, so not really a passage, but we had flat seas, a steady breeze and it was a nice sail! All the usually automatised moves took some remembering, but everything went well.

• Our article about atoll passes in the Cruising World Magazine

  Cruising World has been one of the world’s leading sailing magazines for 30 years, so it’s a bit of an honour to get published there Our article about atoll passes is in the current October issue: “Tackling the Pacific atoll passes” explains the variety of factors that determine currents and gives advice on how to enter and exit atolls safely.

• We’re writing for Boating New Zealand!

  We already have a nice list of prestigious sailing magazines where our articles are regularly featured, but we’re happy to announce that from now on you’ll find articles made on Pitufa also Down Under! Boating New Zealand, NZ’s number one selling and largest boating magazine, has our article about the pitfalls of modern navigational aids in the October issue. “Blinded by Tech” warns that proper… Continue reading »

• Ship’s Cat Article in All-at-Sea Magazine

  Birgit Hackl, Christian Feldbauer: Ten Years Cruising with a Ship’s Cat, All At Sea Caribbean, Oct. 2021, p. 52–54. Download the whole magazine for free.

• Whales!

  From July until November humpback whales migrate up to warm waters, where the females give birth in the protection of lagoons, undisturbed by large predators (and hopefully humans). During those months you can often see groups of whales near outer reefs, sometimes in passes or even anchorages. Due to the lock-down we haven’t moved much this year, so we’ve only had our first whale encounter… Continue reading »

• Common sense

  French Polynesia has been in a lock-down now for 2 weeks. Low vaccination rates led to an explosion in cases after the delta variant arrived and really made this lock-down necessary. We fully agree that measures were needed to limit the spreading of Covid here. Yes, it makes sense to prohibit sports events and group activities where people gather. But why harass surfers and paddlers… Continue reading »

• “On Velvet Paws Towards the Horizon” is now available as an e-book!!

  Those of ship’s cat Leeloo’s fans who are roaming remote places can now get the kindle version of her adventurous life. Usually internet is way too pricey here in Fr. Poly to tackle big uploads, but Vini (mobile phone provider) gave out lock-down data presents and I used it all up to create an e-book! Available now on Amazon

• Article in Yachtrevue Magazine

  Birgit Hackl, Christian Feldbauer: Und ewig lockt der Horizont–Zehn Jahre unter Segeln, Yachtrevue, Sep. 2021, see teaser online.

• Lockdown in Tahiti and the Societies

  With 2700 cases/100.000 inhabitants, swamped hospitals and full ICU units the government has finally announced a new lockdown for 2 weeks. It’s a bit vague though: people are still allowed to go to work or shopping (necessary things), the international borders remain open, inter-island travel is limited to people with “important reasons” (which is a broad term as any business reason or family reason counts).… Continue reading »

• A book about our ship’s cat!

  Our Leeloo was part of Pitufa’s crew from day one of our journey and left a gaping, cat-shaped hole when she died. Now we share our memories of 21 years and lots of cute photos with you! “On Velvet Paws Towards the Horizon” contains many anecdotes and tips for sailing/traveling with cats. It’s available on Amazon! Because of the colour print it turned out more… Continue reading »