31 October 2024 -New Zealand
It was a beautiful morning when I woke with a lovely blue sky and not a breath of wind. Everything was still and it appeared as if all was still asleep. The only sign of life was the tweets and chirps of the odd bird. However, it was cold and damp, typical of a UK autumn morning.
Keith and Joyce went off to get some bread, eggs and bacon and this provided us with a lovely cooked breakfast. A man arrived at about 8.30 am to collect the outboards for a service. The guys from Seapower came back to continue the work on the heads. An electrician came to check the mains cable and mains system for Stormbird which has to be checked and certified here before you can plug into shorepower. The fittings were a little rusty so I had to get one cleaned and the other was replaced. Once done we were able to plug in. It made me reflect that this is an excellent idea and should prevent some electrical problems as it is a harsh environment they operate in. Good on NZ – we should do this in the UK.
The ladies did some more washing and then went off to the nearest town Pahia to look around. Keith cleaned the saloon and sorted a number of things out. I helped with the heads guys and liaised with Seapower regarding the works they were doing. It was one of those days of jobs which has to be done.
Keith and I had a quick lunch at the café in the marina which was good and we then went to the chandlery and bought a pilot book of Northland (the area around here) so that we can begin to plan where to go between here and Auckland.
The girls returned having walked back and said Pahia was nice and a bit touristy and had loads of restaurants. Watty had left the day we arrived and flew to Auckland where he had met his wife Fiona and they had hired a car and had driven up to holiday nearby. They therefore booked a restaurant In Pahia and we had an enjoyable dinner all together again with much merriment and laughter. The waitress who served us was English working out here.
It had been a satisfying day in that I had all the pipes replaced for the two heads up front and we made sure all the breathers were clear. The heads are now working well and have had a proper service. They get so much use so this is a good move. The tap in the galley will be replaced tomorrow and the Raymarine expert is coming to check the AIS.
We have organised to hire a car and will therefore start to explore the area tomorrow.
I must say so far I am impressed by the friendliness and politeness of the New Zealanders. They have good albeit slightly cynical sense of humour.
The picture of the day is Stormbird at our mooring having a rest and a bit of TLC. She is the star of the show and got us here safely.
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 move through French Polynesia and beyond. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com