So it has been quite a while since I did and update, in that time we have sailed up the coast to Whangaroa Harbour, then sailed down in fits and starts to the Coromandel Peninsular.We did an overnight sail and ended up becalmed in the Hauraki Gulf in the midst of Dolphins and Whales feeding. We visited Coromandel Township and ended up with the dinghy nearly stuck in the creek as the tide went out. We got caught in a Sou-westerly blow, anchored on a lee shore on
Waiheke Island. We have sailed in near Gale force winds on numerous occasions, and then the other occasions it was calm (you can't win). After going through that we decided that perhaps we aren't quite ready to do the offshore thing. Are we prepared to put ourselves through constant motion for 10-12days, are we ready for sleepless nights for days on end???
We went back to Whangarei for 3 weeks to await the birth of our Grandson Korban, we travelled down to Whakatane to have a hold and some Grandparent time. That was at the end of March.
We have since left Whangarei and headed out to Great Barrier Island, the sail was great with a fresh North Wester picking up as we came near the Island. We sat out a bit of a westerly blow, andwhen the wind went to a northerly quarter we sailed round to Whangaparapara Harbour. We scaled Mt Whangaparapara 309mt, we walked to the Kaitoke Hotsprings pictured, (water was bath temperature, we had a lovely hour long soak) and came back via the Tramline 
Track, used to carry Kauri Logs during the early 1900's. On the way back we had a swim at the Kauri Falls picture below, beautiful place but bloody cold water, Paul called it a blue nut moment. Paul scaled Mt Te Ahumata, and went looking for a silver mine, but failed to find it. We then hightailed it back to Fitzroy Harbour . We proceeded to sit out first a Nor-Westerly blow and then a Sou-Westerly gale with winds up to 50knots. Was pretty spectacular apart from the gusts (williwaws) that shoot down the valleys around Great Barrier, not a lot of chop but we were buffeted from side to side with the blasts.
Track, used to carry Kauri Logs during the early 1900's. On the way back we had a swim at the Kauri Falls picture below, beautiful place but bloody cold water, Paul called it a blue nut moment. Paul scaled Mt Te Ahumata, and went looking for a silver mine, but failed to find it. We then hightailed it back to Fitzroy Harbour . We proceeded to sit out first a Nor-Westerly blow and then a Sou-Westerly gale with winds up to 50knots. Was pretty spectacular apart from the gusts (williwaws) that shoot down the valleys around Great Barrier, not a lot of chop but we were buffeted from side to side with the blasts. 
Tomorrow we are hoping to walk up to Mt Hirakimata (Hobson), the highest point on the island at 621mts. Paul is really excited as it will be the highest Mountain He has climbed so far, I am not so excited as I am not a mountain goat like He is. But, I am always there to support Him in any way I can, I just hope He remembers this when we get near the top because I may need the support.
On the fishing front we have caught 2 Kahawai, and 2 buckets of Mussels, not great but OK for us. Yesterday we caught some hotschips and pork chops at the Port Fitzroy shop. Anyway that is the round-up of what we have been up to since February, cruising around, being BUMS.
Hey Wendy, I noticed you gone a while back. Man you sure know how to pick the weather. Michael's been to Turkey and is now back. Karen F off vanning about and that's as exotic as we have been around here. Hope the weather and fishing improves.
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