[Password] bob244
[Status]
Position: 40 51.753s 173 53.050e
date: 03/01/2014
image: Wind gusts in the storm hit 66knots, plenty of white water flying around.
image: The sunset the same day after the storm that morning!
image: The waterfall right beside our anchorage.
Catherin's Cove storm!!! We don't have the cruising guide on board for the sounds and thus were only guessing where a descent anchorage was for the strong NW winds forecast. Turns out the anchorage we left was the best! Anyway we anchored here and got hit with 66 knots which ripped our sail cover off and one of the wind generators suffered damage (This was before the big winds hit on the earlier gusts coming down the valley). Dani trustingly read her book while Mike vigilantly monitored the gusts and every cm closer we got to the shore, which was a little too close for comfort. It turns out the anchorage we chose is a known gusty anchorage. No doubt why we got 66 knots grrrr. The boat held and the people in the resort couldn't believe we weren't on one of their moorings. Went for a nice short walk to a waterfall after the wind finally eased and came across a couple of trees blown down by the gusts.
[status]
Position: 41 06.158s 173 45.862e
date: 05/01/2014
image: The little bay we were anchored in, just around the first point past the yacht you see anchored.
image: Mikes niece waiting on the warf to be picked up for the bbq in this bay.
Left D'Urville behind and headed to World's End, our favourite part of the Sounds where we are surrounded by virgin native forest. DOC do lots of pest control here too so the birdsong is amazing. We anchored in Te Mako Bay and shortly after the heavens opened and let loose until midday the next day (more Scrabble and reading) when it finally cleared to reveal a lush refreshed forest under a brilliant blue sky day. We met up with Mike's brother and family, helped them set up camp then dinghied out and all had a BBQ tea on board.
[status]
Position: 41 06.686s 173 45.793e
date: 05/01/2014
image: Looking towards Duncan bay from te mako bay.
image: Cosmopolitan in the sun, what better way to spend a summers day!
Moved in to Duncan Bay to be closer to the boat ramp for coming and going with family. Still a beautiful spot to anchor, just didn't have this one all to ourselves. We can think of worse places to sip our Cosmopolitan cocktails and gorge on watermelon (ladies) or swing from hammock chairs knocking back a beer (gents)
[status]
Position: 41 05.919s 173 47.122e
date: 06/01/2014
image: The best river walk in the sounds! The stent brothers and nephew.
Day trip to Ngawhakawhiti Bay, the spot that won out hearts last time we were here three years ago. Nothing but native forest in every direction and we had the whole place to ourselves for the most part. Until the shore party returned from an excursion bouldering up the river to find the ski lane had been moved from the last time we were here and we were now anchored slap bang in the middle of it - oops. Luckily we realised this before we went and had a go at them for hooning around our boat. I won't get started on my feelings about having a ski lane in what is otherwise the single most beautiful natural and relaxing anchorage ever...[END]