Wednesday 15th March
Again we started with a cool morning swim before breakfast. After breakfast we set off to round Cape Brett with Sue at the helm. When we got to the hole in the rock Sue took Imagine around the outside so we could take pictures.
We continued to Te Toroa Bay where we will spend the night. After lunch B started her new career. Mike and Andrew were her first clients to have their hair cut. After the great job she did, we all piled into the dinghy and explored the surroundings. We found our own hole in the rock and were able to get the dinghy through it. Closer to Imagine we anchored the dinghy and did some snorkelling. Then it was time to warm up and continue fading the tan lines.
Fishing off Imagine was fruitless as usual. B, Andrew and Mike went ashore to check out the beach and found Mike’s meditation cave, before returning so B could make dinner.

Tuesday 14th March
After a morning swim and breakfast we set off to Deep Water Cove. When we got there we went for a snorkel. This cove is a marine reserve so there was a lot of fish to see.0
By lunch time Darren (Andrew’s brother) and his mates had arrived to join us. He and his friends had been diving up north and called in on their way south. They decided to spend the night in this bay and dive the wreck of the frigate HMNZS Canterbury which is here. The Canterbury was decommissioned and was sunk in 2007 to create an artificial reef for fishery restoration and as a diving attraction. It is considered as one of NZ’s best wreck dives.
Andrew, B and Mike then went ashore and hiked up the hill. The walk to Cape Brett would have taken 2.5 hours each way and as it was already 2pm, by mutual consent they decided to take a short climb then come back to the boat for a swim and tanning.
5pm and Sundowners started with drinks and nibbles. Later on Darren came across to join us for drinks and show us some of the great videos he had taken while diving. He brought with him a lobster he had caught up in the Three Kings and had cooked for us. It was delicious and we were all in heaven. B and Mike got all the tools out to get every last delicious morsel from the carcass. Several bottles of wine later we had some of B’s lovely homemade tomato soup then Darren returned to his boat and we went to bed.

Monday 13th March
The early morning swim was cool but so serene. Not the slightest breeze. Not a ripple on the water, only that made by us slowly swimming around Imagine.
After breakfast B did some washing in a bucket of rainwater, while Mike scrubbed down the deck. Sue and Andrew did the dishes and cleaned up down below.
Mike went for a long hike as the rest of us just had a cruisy day, playing cards and relaxing. Keeping an eye out for Mike, Andrew spotted him swimming back to Imagine so went in the dinghy to pick him up but Mike was happy enjoying the swim back so Andrew just took his bag for him.
B and Sue had an attempt at fishing but the fish were on to them and decided to bite then run so baked beans and eggs on toast for dinner tonight.

Sorry there was no blog yesterday.
Yesterday we had a sail to the black rocks then stopped for lunch at Moturoa Island (the last of the islands to walk on). We then sailed to Te Akeake point. B, Andrew and Mike went swimming ashore to explore.
Andrew tried to rally the troops this morning at 7.15am for a swim only to hear a resounding chorus of it’s too cold! (Mike claims that he never said it’s too cold, he was just being a gentleman waiting for B) Andrew decided to go anyway and B and Mike decided to join him with Mike staying in the longest. After breakfast we went for a hike and found two out of two caches on the way.
Then back to Imagine by midday we all had a swim before lunch and then went fishing. B (as per usual) caught the only pan size Snapper. Sue and Mike caught a shark, or a shark ate the fish on the way up.
We have now anchored in Paradise Bay for the evening. Mike fed the fishes a bit more but did catch another bait fish.
Sue did her famous boat burger for dinner. Mike passed the crew test!

Friday 10th March
A swim at dawn in the rain, was followed by breakfast. As it was raining most of the morning, we started a new card tournament (to be continued). Current status Mike first, Sue second, Andrew third and B fourth.
After lunch B, Andrew and Mike went exploring. After climbing more trees they found a rope swing. B thought she was the princess of wood. David Attenborough (Mike) came across a strange native wanting to invite them for dinner.
We are not sure of B’s state of mental health. We don’t think she is fit for work. She needs more (sailing) therapy and may not be returning to Sydney any time soon.
When they returned to Imagine it was swim time and tanning time (the sun came out for a short time). Mike went for a walk along the beach, while B and Sue fished off Imagine. B caught another pan size Snapper for lunch tomorrow and another bait fish.

Thursday 9th March
Mike slept in this morning and missed the morning swim. He swam on his own a little later. After breakfast we were off to catch a snapper for lunch.
Lunch consisted of salad and vegetable soup.
We then headed to Army bay where Andrew, Mike and B went ashore to explore more tracks. By the time they got back the wind had got up and the anchorage was quite choppy. We decided to go back to Assasination cove for protection.
We had just anchored when the rods came out and lots of small fish were caught. Mike won the prize of catching a fish almost smaller then the bait he used. He also introduced B to the practice of kiss and release. Eventually B brought another pan size Snapper on board. Poor Mike only landed small ones. One of which shit all over his T shirt and shorts as well as the deck and the dinghy. He didn’t seem impressed but we all had a good laugh.
Andrew made his famous Spaghetti Bolognese, saving the snapper for lunch tomorrow.

Wednesday 8th March
Sunrise this morning revealed fog across the bay. Mike has been quick to join in the routine with a swim before breakfast. Then we went across to Russell for a look around, another geocache and more groceries. After lunch on Imagine we motored around to Roberton Island. We anchored and went ashore and climbed the hill to the lookout. By the time we got back to Imagine the bay had emptied a little so we moved Imagine closer to shore. It was then time for a swim.
Sue swam around the boat while B, Andrew and Mike swam to shore and back. The rest of the afternoon was working on tan lines. Mike has a lot (very lot) of catching up to do. A boat anchored nearby moved to the other side of the Bay. We think it was the glare off Mike that they couldn’t stand.
B made dinner again with the help of sous chef Mike.

Tuesday 7th March
We had a swim after breakfast then headed off to Paihia. Sue did some laundry at the laundromat while Andrew and B went off finding geocaches. Andrew took the laundry back to Imagine. While returning to shore the outboard stopped. He had to row ashore. We had lunch at the fish and chip shop before doing a little bit of shopping. We didn’t get much as we knew we had to row back.
With Imagine drawing 2.5m of water, she was anchored out on the edge of the channel 1km from shore. Not only did the outboard not go but the dinghy had deflated. We piled into the dinghy laughing our heads off , B almost peeing her pants. We all had a go at rowing. Three of us changing positions in a small dinghy was hilarious. The wind and tide were against us, so it took a while to row back to Imagine. At one point we were stood still despite rowing madly.
Once onboard Imagine Andrew and B flushed out the carburetor. It had picked up another bit of dirt.
B is making dinner again tonight. A wonderful pasta dish. After dinner it was back to shore. Mike was on his way to join us as new crew. B and Andrew headed off in the dinghy. 50m from Imagine the bung popped out and water gushed in. That was quickly fixed and we continued on.
Mike arrived by taxi and we met him at the pier. So the three of us hopped in the dinghy. That’s when we realised the bracket for the navlights was missing. So Mike held one in each hand as we returned to Imagine with no other dramas.

Monday 6th March
Another windy morning. The water was a little choppy, so the morning swim was cancelled. After breakfast Andrew and B went ashore to do more exploring. They found a couple of trees to climb. One of which was growing out the side of a cliff. There were great views from the top of the hills.
Back on Imagine B did some more cleaning while Andrew and Sue dismantled the old sump pump, found the problem and fixed it with packing washers. Now the pump is back in place and working we can wash our hands and brush our teeth.
B and Sue were working on their tan lines, when a boat pulled alongside calling “ahoy”. Andrew came rushing from below to see what it was. The people on the boat called out “We are from the census department, delivering the forms.” Two seconds later one of them called out “We aren’t looking”, we can’t see anything” as their boat came right alongside and one of them passed the forms to Andrew in a fish landing net. That must have made their afternoon.
Not long after that we decided to move closer to Paihia, as we are going there tomorrow.

Sunday 5th March
This morning the wind was up but we were not. No swim this morning. The breeze was too fresh and B wouldn’t get out of bed.
After breakfast we decided to make the most of a windy day. The first time we have been able to have a decent sail since we got here. Off we went with Sue at the helm at first, then B. Andrew was the slave today running around adjusting sails, making coffee, doing everything (about time he gave us other slaves a rest!).
On the way we came across a pod of large Dolphins. By lunch time we had sailed around the islands and went into Deep Water Cove for a look. The swell was getting into bay, so we didn’t stay long. Just long enough to take a few photos of the beautiful cove.
We motored and sailed on the way back as we needed to run the motor to make water. We ended up anchoring in Otaio bay. We are sheltered from the swell but the wind is coming in and making it a little choppy. The waves haven’t stopped us from taking several swims.
We took up the carpet in the back cabin to find the floor wet. We traced the water track to a leaky pipe connection and fixed it. Next was the shower sump pump which wasn’t pumping but making lots of noise. We need a new pump. Tomorrow we will try to fit a temporary pump until we can get a new one but for now we need to relax and take some breaths.