Progress Report 12/31/07 Monday

Weather update from Karel Vissel:
http://www.kayakweather.blogspot.com/
Mon mrng s 1 to2bft noon se 1 to2bft aft e 2to3bft seas 2.20 swell 1.30mtr frm w
Satellite Text Messages Received from Freya:
40.46 172.16 Big River 80km 14hrs long but beautiful paddle. 4hrs solid headwinds at noon! Not southerlies… No satellite signal at night, sorry!HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD WISHES FOR 2008! WILL THE GODS OF THE SEVEN SEAS BE WITH YOU.

Progress Report 12/30/07 Sunday

There’s an interesting article and video clip from NZ TV, about Freya, with input from Paul Caffyn. Includes good footage of Freya crossing the Greymouth bar. You can read the story and see the video here . Many thanks to Derrick for this info — GregWeather update from Karel Vissel:
http://www.kayakweather.blogspot.com/
Sun mrng se 2 to 3bft noon w 2 to3bft aft sw 3bft seas 2 .40 to 1.80 swell 1mtr frm wMon mrng s 1 to2bft noon se 1 to2bft aft e 2to3bft seas 2.20 swell 1.30mtr frm w

Satellite Text Messages Received from Freya:
41.23 172.04 In Little Wanganui. Flew with new (epic) wings up the coast. What a treat the last days! Lovely landing in river&camp. 3 to 4 more days…

Progress Report 12/29/07 Saturday

http://www.kayakweather.blogspot.com/
Sat mrng s 2 to3bft noon w 3bft aft sw 4bft seas 3.50 swell 1.90 frm w

Weather update from Karel Vissel:

Sun mrng se 1 to2bft noon w 2 to3bft aft sw 4bft seas 1.90 swell 1 mtr frm w

Satellite Text Messages Received from Freya:
Westport today, Little Wamganui tomorrow. Good weather, seas warm, and easing a bit. What else do I need?

Progress report 12/28/07 Friday

Freya clears Greymouth River Bar in large seas. Photo by Paul Caffyn

Weather update from Karel Vissel:
http://www.kayakweather.blogspot.com/
Sat mrng s 2 to3bft noon w 3bft aft sw 4bft seas 3.50 swell 1.90 frm w

Update Received from Paul Caffyn:
Freya cleared the Greymouth River bar this morning - 28 Dec 2007 - at approx. 8.45am.Satellite Text Messages Received from Freya:
42.02 171.22 Woodpecker Bay TV3 filmed yesterday & launch today, good run out of Grey River. Still roughish sea. Nice sunny SANDFLYFREE camp here.

Progress report 12/27/07 Thursday

5 days of x-mas bad weather days at Paul Caffyn’s - we had the pleasure to host Gordon and Morag Brown for two days, too, with their two lovely kids Eilidh and Iain. They enjoyed being captains of their own kayaks in Paul’s pool…and I keep on going on Friday with the middle section only…

Actually, I fibreglassed the stern section to the middle section now, to be sure the kayak stays in one piece on the last landings and launchings ;-)) Victurus Vicero!

x-mas update by Freya

An early Kiwi Christmas gift! Paul Caffyn hands Freya a beer upon her landing at Greymouth. Photo by Murry Cave.

I wish you all a Merry x-mas and Happy Holidays!
Thanks for all the lovely comments and best wishes on my blog, it feels good to know a lot of friends all over the world are following up my trip.Last time I did a longer blog update was in Riverton on the South Coast, so many days and exciting adventures have passed since then that I feel now a bit overwhelmed in these two x-mas weather rest days at Paul’s to catch up with all the writing.

Progress report 12/22/07 Saturday

Weather update from Karel Vissel:
http://www.kayakweather.blogspot.com/
Sat mrng e 3bft noon nw 3bft aft w 3bft seas 1.40 mtr swell 0.80 frm wSatellite Text Messages Received from Freya:
42.27 171.12 Grey River safe & sound with Paul & friends over xmas. Taking even tomorrow off due to xmas parties starting tonight

Progress report 12/21/07 Friday; Still trucking…

Weather update from Karel Vissel:
http://www.kayakweather.blogspot.com/
Fri mrng e 3bft noon nw 2 to3bft aft w 3bft seas 2mtr swell 1.10 mtr frm w

Sat mrng e 3bft noon nw 3bft aft w 3bft seas 1.40 mtr swell 0.80 frm w

Satellite Text Messages Received from Freya:
42.43 170.57 Hokitika Took the chicken run this morning out of a side river no more risk for body boat blade see Paul Caffyn tonight for mental support

Progress report 12/20/07 Thursday; Surf Trouble

Weather update from Karel Vissel:
http://www.kayakweather.blogspot.com/
Thu mrng ne2 to 3bft noon w 3bft aft sw 3bft seas 3.30 to 2.70 mtr swell 1.60 mtr frm w

Fri mrng e 3bft noon nw 2 to3bft aft w 3bft seas 2mtr swell 1.10 mtr frm w

Satellite Text Messages Received from Freya:
43.02 170.25 Wanganui R F*%K! Lost my stern on launch, repaired. Lost my paddle on landing, gone. F*&K! But I’m ok. Just stupid misjudgement.

Progress report 12/19/07 Wednesday

Weather update from Karel Vissel:
http://www.kayakweather.blogspot.com/
Wed mrng s3bft noon w 3bft aft w 4bft seas 2.80 mtr swell 1.50 mtr frm nw

Satellite Text Messages Received from Freya:
43.23 169.55 beh. Galway Point went in early today 65km paddled with closed eyes all day to relax mind body still had to work, steady but slowly.

Thu mrng ne2 to 3bft noon w 3bft aft sw 3bft seas 3.30 to 2.70 mtr swell 1.60 mtr frm w