Year 2 -1 January 2024 -New Zealand- South Island - Auckland
Happy New Year and I wish you a great 2025. We were probably one of the first to welcome in the NY in the world as we are so far in front in time and the city and sky lit up with fireworks.
We eventually went to bed and then when we got up it was jobs to do. The lazarette’s had been opened and I wanted to check everything was in the right place and this was a good opportunity to get some hydraulic oil out to top up the levels in the reservoirs which had been serviced. We checked the life raft which had been serviced and all looked good although I was surprised there was a yellow grab bag with over 24-hour materials in it which are normally within the life raft so I will have to find out why. We had to put the Jonbuoy back on the back of the boat and fix the rear shower holder which had been taken off.
The seat in the rear cabin would not go back together and Mark spotted they had not put the backs in the right position so the seats would not fit. Well, that was fixed too. I put away the oil and spares that had been left and put as much away as I could including spare water pumps. I went through some of the boat with Mark and by mid afternoon we had had enough.
We changed and walked along past the Westhaven Marina and on to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron but it was closed. We passed a restaurant on the way called First Mates- Last Laughs and so we stopped for a couple of beers on the way back and sat in the sun. They charge extra on a bank holiday as they give it to the staff who had to work which is a little unusual but not a bad idea. There was a chandlery open so we could not resist going in and getting a few things. Many shops and restaurants are closed.
We returned to Stormbird and cooked some tuna steaks which delicious and like fillet steaks. We then watched a film. We had done quite a lot and were making progress but lots to do. We do not have more crew for a couple of days so we should have time.
Happy New Year to you all and here’s to a great 2025.
Need/Opportunity Year Two
I am in need of more crew from April to September so if of interest do email me at hine.nick9@gmail.com
In year two I will be going from New Zealand to Sydney and hen 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.
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