Year 2 -2 January 2024 -New Zealand- North Island - Auckland

We woke at a reasonable and had some eggs and bacon which was a good start to the day.

Our jobs continued with checking the generator and putting its casing back. We then fired her up and checked all was working well and there were no leaks etc. This was fine and I then started the water maker which has had a new pump and thankfully all was working well which was a relief as it is so important that both the generator and water maker work well.

I then checked the engine and put some more oil in and fired her up and that was good too. We checked the bilges which had a little water but no more than normal. I sorted out all the cabins for the four remaining crew who arrive in the next 2 days and made sure all was ship shape.

The wind had been too strong to put the mainsail back on and so we will have to wait when the wind is very light. After lunch we went to the chandlery and had a look around and we arranged to meet the Skipper who brought Stormbird from Half Moon Bay back to Orams Marina. It was good to see him and to learn that the engineers who serviced the engine and generator had come on board and made him do a fast test to check all was good with the engine. He was also helpful with information and knew an electrician who should be able to help with the SSB aerial which had been cut when  they were fixing the backstay.

We had a few beers and then stayed for a meal and wandered back to Stormbird when the sun came out and we sat in the cockpit and enjoyed the warmth. The picture of the day is our view.

We had some cheese and biscuits and then bed. Trevor Greening, another crew member arrives tomorrow.

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