29 November 2024 -New Zealand- Waiheke Island
This was my last day before Jules comes out and then I will be off Stormbird for a few days before I return on 3 December to take her to Half Moon Bay Marina for her lift out with Keith and possibly Ruth and Jules.
It was another nice day sunny and cloudy. I had a cereal breakfast and after doing a bit of admin I started on the engine room. It is difficult to clean as access is very difficult. I prepared the room for the engineers to service the main engine and generator as best I could and took the generator sides out into the saloon. All looked ok.
I had got out generator spares (fuel filters, impeller and oil filter) and engine spares (ditto the above but also belts and oil). The large containers (20 Lts) of oil I stored in the bilges as there is a section of floor by the mast bottom where I can lower them down on a rope to the bottom and pile them up on each other. I got one out quite easily, However, one was a bit stuck but after about 10 minutes of puzzling I managed it.
Then I started outside and put all the ropes that had been drying for 24 hours away and tidied up and closed the lazarettes. I gave the deck and everything a good clean. I then treated any rust spots on the steelwork and then polished all the steel. I had noticed that one hinge on the port lazarette was coming loose. For the other hinges we had put bolts through but not this hinge. I therefore found some bolts etc from my stores and drilled through and inserted and tightened up. This was now firm. The struts need replacing.
Then it was the fridges turn for an empty out and clean. I had already done the day fridge and freezer which were now off. I will take any fresh food away to the house we are renting. I then did my final packing for my trip and had a cup of tea.
I think we are done so I packed all way. I then did a final hoover inside. I closed all hatches and secured everything I could.
I plan to go through Indonesia next year and had enquired about joining a rally called Sail2Indonesia as I thought this would be a good idea. It will be safer; they will deal with the formalities and it would be fun to sail with other boats etc. I had an email from the organisers explaining the programme etc and will register. I have sent an email to my regular crew members and those who have expressed interest but if anyone is interested in joining at some point do email me.
Once I was ready with everything I could do I had a fish supper with broccoli and cabbage again. I had bought enough for a couple of meals.
Last night I watched Kill Bill 1 and intend to watch Kill Bill 2 tonight.
I get up early tomorrow to go to Auckland Airport to pick up Jules (can’t wait- I have not seen her since mid-August). I will take the ferry (next to the marina) to Half Moon Bay Ferry Terminal and then a taxi to the airport. We will hire car and return to Stormbird on the ferry and pick up my stuff from Stormbird and go to the house we have rented and Keith Winstanley and his wife Ruth are joining us which will be good.
The picture of the day is my view from the marina which I have stared at a few times over the last 4 days. I am at the end of a pontoon and it is very quiet. It has been quite nice to get on with things and have a bit of time to myself.
I have decided that I will keep my blog going on my trip as a record for me. Please feel free to continue reading if of interest as we travel round New Zealand – North and South Islands. We will take Stormbird on 3 December to Half Moon Bay but I will then not be back until New Year’s Eve. Crew will fly out early January and we plan to leave for Sydney on about 7 January 2025.
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