15 November 2024 -New Zealand- Auckland

It was raining cats and dogs when we woke and looked a very wet day. Keith had had a bad oyster the night before we think so he did not feel too good.

The workman came early and started the process of replacing the washing machine. This obviously meant taking out the old and fitting the new machine from Australia which had slightly different fittings so they had to adapt to that and electrically. We lowered the new machine through the rear hatch and took the old one out the same way. However, by mid-late morning it was finished.

We had a light breakfast and I got hold of Kiwi Yachting who came to take away the life raft and Jonbuoy for servicing. They plumbers also brought me a new pump for the watermaker and I took the old one for servicing nearby. They took the gas bottles away to be filled but annoyingly they could not fill any. They will fit the new pump in the next few weeks. Whilst all this was going on I was making calls and sending emails regarding other jobs and whilst it was pouring it was one of those job days.

In the mid-morning, I went with Joyce to look at some of the chandleries. I needed a new clock, a new bulb which I had to replace and a new switch. I went to the Sailors Chandlery and they had none of the above although the manager who was helpful and polite, was English. I therefore returned to Stormbird and we had a light lunch. Keith was resting and recovering and Joyce went off to sort out her mobile phone. I went toward the Harbour Bridge where there were some more chandleries and managed to get a new clock and some bulbs. It was still pouring with rain and like a typical English day in the winter.

After I shopped I walked up to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and walked in. This was a nice modern club and had a shop and various rooms and the Members Bar was upstairs. On the way there were all sorts of pictures of old sailing boats and trophies including the Americas Cup which is the picture of the day. Shame we could not win it back this year. It was great to see the club and in the bar was our plumber who had been on the boat so I chatted to him and some friends he had there and we had a nice conversation.

I returned to Stormbird to find Keith up and feeling much better which was great. Joyce returned soon after and we all had some tea. We then showered and got ready and went out toward the Harbour Bridge. The rain had stopped for the first time all day which was great and we enjoyed the walk. We had supper at First Mates-Last Laughs restaurant (recommended by Sarah Bernstein) which was very good and enjoyable.

After supper I had to show Keith and Joyce the NZ Yacht Squadron and it was open and we had a further look round the building and then went to the bar for a drink and looked around the flags of different clubs many of which came from the UK. It felt a special place and good to have visited.

We walked back to Stormbird and had an early night but it was not raining which was good. It had been a wet and busy but fruitful day.

Opportunity Year Two

In year two I will be going from New Zealand in early January 2025 across to Sydney and up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025. I will need some more crew.

If there is any interest do email me at  hine.nick9@gmail.com  

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com