27/28 November 2024 -New Zealand- Waiheke Island
I have combined two days in one due to the content which is a record for me but may be boring to the regular reader.
27th
It was a reasonable morning and looked promising weather wise but I was still inside. I was still working on the saloon – second day and this meant going through more lockers and cupboards and throwing out of date stuff and defunct equipment. We were getting there but is as surprising how long this all takes.
I had a sandwich lunch with a satsuma and worked on and got to the stage where I was washing the upholstery and I did quite well but stopped so I could somewhere to sit for the evening and will do that tomorrow otherwise it will be wet.
The washing I had put into the marina was done so I collected it. I then carried on working but by 4.00pm I had enough and decided to go out and do some provisioning. I did not need much but thought it would be good to get out. I took a bus by the marina to Oneroa which is where we will have a house for a few days. This did not take long perhaps 15 minutes. It was interesting to see some of the island from the bus and we went through various neighbourhoods and the island is very lush and vibrant and has lots of flowering plants.
At the supermarket I got some fruit, bread, eggs and a few other bits and pieces. I had time so went into the wine shop and talked to the assistant about the wineries on the island and where to visit. She said there is a tasting on Friday between 4-6.00pm of one of the vineyards and suggested I came. She was Canadian!
I returned by bus and to Stormbird. I had some of the last spag bol and I cooked the cabbage left. This was enjoyable and I decided to watch a film on the ships TV. I have a small collection and watched The Secret Lives of Walter Mitty – which I really enjoy as it goes to Iceland etc and is a quirky film.
28th
This was a good start to the day and the weather was nice. I had to be inside again. I cleaned the rest of the upholstery and then the freezer had finally defrosted (it had taken 2 days) and was ready to be cleaned. I then could start on the forward section of the boat and cleaned all the front three cabins and then sorted out all the bedding and washing that had come back and putting things in the right place. This took me until the afternoon and the sun was out and warm.
I then started to get outside and to clean the cockpit and the cushions, sides and floor. I opened the lazarettes and aired them and got all the ropes out which were damp and got them all drying. I put the crane down and brought in the fishing rods etc and grab bags etc.
By the time I had done most of this it was about 5.00pm and I had a break and then chilled for a bit. I then closed all the hatches as it was begging to cool.
I had a fish supper -red snapper with mashed potatoes and broccoli and cabbage. I had worked hard over 3 days and done well. There is a wash to the outside and to treat the rust etc. I also need to clean the engine room and prepare all for the engineers to arrive. Stormbird is looking a lot cleaner and she deserves some TLC after she has looked after us so well this year.
The picture of these days is Stormbird at her mooring in Waiheke Marina
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