Saturday, February 13, 2016

What have we been up to?

So what have we been up to for the last few weeks?

We motored over to Matauwhi Bay on the 27th January and managed to get amongst the yachts at the start of the first race of sail week and the Millenium Cup, was a bit drizzly, but great fun to watch. We anchored up in Matauwhi Bay and Paul rowed in for fresh supplies and a rubbish drop.
Yachts on the start line.

Rain was forecast so we collected some of the rain, did another shop in Russell and watched more yacht racing. On the 29th we sailed off the anchor into very light airs and mooched around the start line for the yacht races. Because we were way over to the western side of the course we managed to pick up a breeze, so we sailed back and forth, whilst the yachts in the race had very little wind. But eventually it filled in and they were off, sails straining, bow wakes flashing white in the sun, spinnakers billowing, what a colourful sight. 
Stein lager.
Yachts on the start line again.


After that excitement we sailed over to the Te Pahi Islands near the Purerua Peninsular, it was lovely there, very quiet, with a little roll but not enough to leave, we stayed for two nights. Had a go a fishing but no luck, one day we will get one!
Te Pahi Islands


On the 31st we motored around to Patunui Bay in the Te Puna inlet, had a swim and then went visiting on Shadow Bright with Bud and Ann. We had an enjoyable evening, Bud was full of stories, very interesting people. The next day I talked Paul into cleaning the hull of the winter mildew, and then we put the outboard on Fatima and explored up the Opete Creek, goes up a long way into mangroves quite a lovely adventure.
On the 3rd we sailed off the anchor and sailed around the Te Puna inlet just for fun, and tested our reefing and furling systems, the wind got quite boisterous so was a good test. We then sailed onto the anchor in the Poukoura Inlet, to sit out a bit of wind. The wind was due to get even more boisterous so we decided to head back to Uruti Bay to shelter from it. So on Thursday 4th of Feb we sailed off the anchor and headed back through the Kent Passage towards Russell, was a great sail with 20 - 25 knots of wind forward of the beam, sailed on to the anchor in the exact spot we wanted, very professional. We sat out the supposed blow, winds were expected to get to 30 gusting 40 knots, but we never felt it, managed to catch about 120litres of water though so was great.
On Saturday the 6th we motored over to Waipiro for dinner at Murray and Lynley's place, was a great evening, with good friends. The next day the wind was due to go easterly 25-35 knots so we left Waipiro and motored around to Dicks Bay for a bit of shelter. We were given some lovely flounder by Ray from Seanote, caught that morning, Yummo. 
On the 9th we sailed off the anchor, our plan for the day was to sail straight up to Opua. We managed to sail all of the way onto the anchor against the tide, but after a few tacks, we found a spot over on the port side of the Waikare Inlet just past the moored boats. Wednesday we spent doing washing and pottering about then Thursday we headed to Whangarei in a rental car. The day was spent shopping, collecting mail, booking haul outs, and then the specialist. Yesterday we explored up the Waikare Inlet in Fatima, an amazing harbour with lots of Oyster lets and mangroves. A lovely little island in the middle called Marriott Island would be a great camping spot. 

Yacht racing Opua style.
Marriott Island, Waikare Inlet.

That brings us to today, we were up at sparrows fart this morning and motoring out of Opua towards the islands. On our way we passed a Motor Yacht called " Equinimity", a charter yacht that is 300ft long and sounds very luxurious, makes our 32 footer seem very minuscule and basic, no saunas and beauty salons for Wendy on board Kabuki. We have anchored in Entico Bay, things seem a bit quieter out here now, not so many holiday makers around. We went for a walk before lunch and then dinghyed over to Waewaetorea Passage for a snorkel. Paul tried out his new 7 mm wetsuit, he said it was the best snorkel he had ever done because he didn't get cold. Brand new wetsuit cost $85.00 at the auctions, normally $800 worth at the shop, thanks Jason. After we got back and had a shower we rowed over to "Serenity J" for a chinwag with my cousin's Roger and Jill and some friends, then curried lamb for dinner, what more could you ask for...
Early start from Opua, not all G&Ts on the deck.

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