Balvenie
Left Kawau with 15kt nor'esterly forecast. All the sails up and poled out. Quite flat water but 33 knots thru Tiri channel was not quite what we were bargaining on. Speedy arrival into Issy Bay tucked between Rangitoto and Motutapu. No coke for skipper to have with his rum, no fruit or veg left. Definitely time to find a supermarket.
Back at Kawau Island. We have rejoined civilisation after our sojourn at Great Barrier sitting out storms. That would have to be the worst spell of weather we have have for a very long time. Winds were back down to 10 - 15 knots today, and although heavy showers and thunderstorms were forecast it looked ok so we made a run for it. No rain or storms but we got heavy fog for a couple of hours, seriously - what is going on with our summer? Anyway tucked back up in Bon Accord Harbour and we were going to treat ourselves dinner at the Boat Club but we caught a good sized fish underway so that's dinner tonight.
Karaka Bay, Port Abercrombie, Great Barrier Island. Came here 2 days ago after a short stop at the grocery store in Fitzroy as the ferry was supposed to have delivered fresh supplies. Well it was a public holiday on Tuesday so the ferry didn't come Wednesday, and was possibly going to be cancelled yesterday dye to 50 knot gusts forecast in the Colville Channel. Feeling like we are back in the islands, digging around in the cupboards for bright ideas. Weather has been very blustery for 2 days, calming now and it's been raining and cooler since last night. Guess we are paying for it being such fabulous weather in December, February not shaping up well at all.
Finally off the boat today before cabin fever set in! Ashore to Port Fitzroy. Boating Club for lattes then 1hr 30 min serious uphill hike to Rocky Lookout, returned to Boat Club for lunch (wasnt that great timing), grabbed a few provisions from the very meager selection at the store. Once back to Balvenie we moved to the next bay 1 mile away, starting point for the full day hike up Mt Hobson tomorrow
A rather sporty and speedy sail across from Kawau to Rarohara Bay in Port Fitzroy on Great Barrier Island. Looking forward to doing all the walks here over the next few days. Weather a bit changeable until summer returns.
Came back up to Kawau yesterday for the Anniversary Weekend Bash. Forgot how many people we know own boats here. Our social schedule has been very hectic and shows no signs of slowing down. Having fun in the sun.
At Mahurangi for the Auckland Anniversary Weekend Classic Yachts Regatta. Let the photo tell the story!
A few days of perfect conditions made us revise our plans. A pleasant sail in very light conditions saw us head south to Auckland. We anchored off our home beach at St Heliers Bay, surprised my Mum for her birthday AND on the 24th in a moderate seabreeze powered up the harbour to the Harbour Bridge and finally returned to where we started our circumnavigation. ITS OFFICIALLY DONE
Great sail south back into the Hauraki Gulf from Whangarei, 10 to 12 on the beam, gentle swell, sun shining and we caught a fish. Does it get any better? Anchor down in Stockyard Bay, Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island. Last here 14 years ago to the day.
Moved again, McKenzie Bay was sheltered but was copping incredible bullets down the hillside, peaked at 46knots as we were upping anchor to move into Taurikura Bay. Although gradient wind in here is around 20 knots plus we are not getting the bullets as much. Raining today.
Moved along a little to McKenzie Bay as looked like there was better wind protection
Tucked up with anout 18 others in Urquharts Bay at the mouth of the Whangarei Harbour entrance. Bit of a mixed bag coming down but only motored 10 mins out of 9 hours. Whangarei Heads look just like French Poly, this is a great coastline that we are finally exploring. Raced French Curve - they won just , Bugger!, they didn't get becalmed when we did!
Super sail in light winds, flat seas and blue sky. Another top anchorage, will be here a few nights
Just had 2 nights in gorgeous Whangamumu. Caught up with friends last seen in Fiji 2004 and others in US Virgins in 2014. What a life this is. Off to Whangaruru today
Checking out Kerikeri inlet, quite different to the rest of the Bay of Islands and rather beautiful
Sat out that very nasty weather system in the marina. Now we have started our summer of cruising, made the move 3 miles to Pomare Bay! Looking forward to the weather perking up again for a long hot summer. Off to do our favorite Russell Flagstaff hike via all the bush walk side trips
Hanging around at anchor in Opua while the All Points Rally events are on.
Pottered up the Waikare Inlet, miles of space all to ourselves but can still see Opua. Good spot to sit out a blow
Sitting at Matauwhi Bay while the north easterly blows then we will go back to Opua to anchor for a few days to meet up with friends coming in from the islands
Hope to be able to catch up
Enjoying all the hiking trails on Urapukapuka Island. Pretty quiet out here, just us, the sheep and birds. MAGIC
Moved to Orokawa Bay with great protection from expected strong northerlies. Flat water, huge bay. All good
Out cruising again at last. Busy as its Labour Weekend. Can watch the Coastal Classic fleet arrive into the BOI from here. Great walk around island on DOC trails
No movement for Balvenie in the foreseeable future. She is still in Opua where we left her suddenly in January and we are in London tidying up affairs after Marks mum passed away suddenly. No tropical sunsets, snorkeling, happy hours and beach barbies for us this year. Life is not the same off Balvenie 😟
We have left Balvenie tied up in Opua and we are both in England as Marks mum sadly passed away suddenly in January. Not sure when we will return to our flosting home.
Had last night anchored off teeny Whangaroa township, did the climb up St Paul's Hill this morning and have moved this afternoon for better shelter (mind you its only 15knots), another top spot
Came north to Whangaroa Harbour a couple of days ago, what a stunning spot. Sunny skies, light breeze and mid 20's, absolutely perfect
Gloomy day with 10knot westerly so came across to Waitangi to shelter and do grocery run. Fun last night with hangi and band after tall ships racing
Moved a little way across to Matauwhi Bay by Russell as its the Tall Ships Regatta today leaving from here. Should be a fun day, Hangi ashore later.
Tucked away from the cool southerly in the western part of Pomare Bay, just a stones throw from Russell. Had a busy Xmas and NY, back taking it easy
Happy New Year both.
<p>Shouldn't you be
Up on the hard doing antifoul and other boat stuff. Catching bus to Auckland then back Boxing Day. Merry Christmas everyone
Anchored off little Pine Is (Moitutokape Is) by Opua, getting ready to haul out on Tuesday morning to antifoul
Had a cloudy but great 2 days at Roberton Island, just moved to Matauwhi Bay, adjacent to Russell for the night. Might go in for fish n chips for dinner
Sorry, it's fush 'n chups -
Moved this morning to beautiful Roberton Island, just an hour from Russell, rather lovely here.
Had a week in the marina now anchored off Russell, absolutely beautiful, not a breath of wind, sun starting to dip. Stunning
Yes, we did actually arrive! Got in about 0230 yesterday morning, beat the cold front in, had a great night celebrating last night, big sleep. Tied up at Bay of Islands Marina, phew
YAAAAAAAAY!!!!! SO glad to
We had no doubt about your
Avg: 4.1knts
24hr: 97.3nm
LAND AHOY ON THE STARBOARD BOW!!! All very good onboard, motored for most of the day, started sailing again in light northerlies a couple of hours ago 37 miles to run to Customs Dock in Opua - @ 1845 NZ Time 23Nov Celebrating with a rum for spotting land, eta around dawn
Avg: 7.6knts
24hr: 181.6nm
Late checking in today as Gulf Harbour who normally take our morning checkin have finished for the season so Im updating via satphone, Been motoring all night, but seas very flat almost like being at anchor Over a knot of current against us which is a pain The first of our armada have arrived in Opua, we should be in about midnight - wow 68miles to run to Customs Dock in Opua - @ 1250 NZ Time 24Nov =20
Avg: 8.2knts
24hr: 196.2nm
WE HAVE CROSSED OUR OUTBOUND TRACK AND COMPLETED OUR CIRCUMNAVIGATION!!! So that was the hightlight of the day (month, year, lifetime!) Unfortunately we have lost all the wind as we go through the centre of the big high that has provided us with favourabloe conditions, motor is All very good onboard, 180miles to run to Customs Dock in Opua - @ 1822 NZ Time 23Nov Celebrating with a rum
Avg: 7.2knts
24hr: 173.2nm
Avg: 7.6knts
24hr: 182.2nm
a sunny day at last, what a difference to the temperature being able to sit in the sun Much windier than expected overnight and most of today, looks like we are just starting to sail into the centre of the high now and winds have lightened up and we have just taken the two reefs out of the main All good onboard, 315miles to run to Customs Dock in Opua - @ 1700 NZ Time 22Nov
Avg: 7.8knts
24hr: 188nm
376 to Opua
Avg: 7.8knts
24hr: 186.4nm
doing good time, seas have flattened considerably swell is around 1 metre with some wave chop on top Winds still variable, during the last hour between 12 and 20 true, tired of putting in reefs in the main and taking them out again, running with two reefs at mo and will leave in overnight Just had a big pod of dolphins with us 1700 NZ Time 21Nov
Avg: 7.6knts
24hr: 183.2nm
Avg: 6knts
24hr: 144.8nm
left North Minerva Reef at 7am yesterday (19th), 12 boats left the day before us, we were the 2nd to leave yesterday, all 12 remaining left before lunch Condtions have been variable, we have a big 3 metre swell rolling through left over from the systems going through below us but it is starting to abate and should improve even more We are sailing just west of the rhumb line (the most direct route) heading for North Cape - New Zealand here we come!=20
<p>Have a great trip to NZ
Yay!! watching your progress
Avg: 6.7knts
24hr: 159.7nm
Moved yesterday afternoon down by the lighthouse in the south west corner Very good protection here, even at high tide quite comfortable Had another big reef walk yesterday, even got to walk on a tiny sand cay at low tide Will be a shame to leave this amazing spot but great to have had such wonderful weather Flown over by NZ Airforce Orion yesterday who collected all our details and wished us all a safe passage home=20
Fabulous spell of great weather contining at North Minerva Reef 1 single hander left yesterday, 1 more arrived, current count is now 26 We will move down by the lighthouse later today, rumour has it there is a little beach at low tide, maybe early sundowners on the beach The wind is due to come in from the southwest at 20 knots overnight as a small front passes over When the wind moves around more to the south we will be leaving - probably Saturday =20
It's another superb day at North Minerva Reef 2 yachts left, more arrived, current count is 19 We have moved across to the south east corner, waiting for the tide to drop more then off walkeling (reef walking/snorkeling by land!)
Glorious day at Minerva Reef It's a holiday atmosphere here, stowed dinghies redeployed, everyone out snorkelling, reef walking, spear fishing We snorkelled the pass this morning, 6 sharks, several wrasse, thousands of Sergent-Majors No 19 yacht just arriving, more to come!
I like the look of that reef.
Avg: 9.8knts
24hr: 234.6nm
completed 270 mile sail from Tongatapu to Minerva Reef Several others with us, all lined up to enter pass at first light! Trip on the wind, lots over boat day one, yesterday rather pleasant No fish=20
Avg: 23.6knts
24hr: 566nm
Avg: 3.6knts
24hr: 85.8nm
1300hrs still got cell coverage, left 0930. 15knots SSE, 1metre seas, bit bumpy as on the wind. Sunny skies, 3 others next to us, 3 in front, 3 behind. We got us a convoy!
Just realised we can follow
50% cloud cover, 10 knots SSE. Today is the day we leave Tonga for Minerva Reef. The unofficial Big Mama's to North Minerva Rally about to begin, around 12 boats participating, 2 already slipped out. We are a couple if hours from leaving.
Still in Tongatapu with 16 others. Latest plan is to leave Wednesday for Minerva. May leave later today if weather forecast has changed. Light rain all night long, about 12 - 15 knots SE.
Still at anchor in Pangimotu, Big Mamas. Up to 25 knots over last 20 hours, about 15 knots now. 100% cloud. Still waiting to leave.
Soggy Saturday afternoon. Lots of distant thunder and lightening overnight, no wind. Watertanks nearly full. No one has left, 2 more arrived
Trying again this morning. Previous had us doing 38knots on our way to New Caledonia, so trying to put us back in the anchorage at Big Mama's in Tongatapu. Warm & sunny, no wind
Still at Big Mamas Tongatapu. 50% Cloud, SE 8kts. 3 yachts left this morning for Minerva Reef. We are waiting for better (different!) weather window. GHR almost impossible to read this morning on 8779
Still at anchor off Big Mama's, Tongatapu. Trialing email checkin on computer with satphone now
You are going the wrong way!
at anchor, testing email format
Avg: 55911knts
24hr: 1341863.5nm
Anchored off Big Mama's Resort, Pangaimotu Island, Tongatapu. Enjoying our last days in paradise
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Hi Mark, I misplaced your
So nice to hear you’re out