Saturday 11th February
Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day. We did a little work around the boat, several swims, sunbathing and another trip ashore to get an ice cream (Sue came with us this time so she got one too!)
It was overcast today. The wind is increasing, blowing up to 43kts (about 80km per hour). In the Bay here we are recording 6.3kts, but can see how rough the sea is around us. That meant more work, more swims and playing cards. We were surprised to see the start of a yacht race from Kawau to Auckland. They started just outside our bay. We are glad we are, so far, sheltered from most of the weather.
Tonight was B’s initiation. She had to eat the Imagine Boat Burger. She passed, being able to eat it all and kept most of it inside the burger!

Thursday 9th February
We are still in Two House Bay. After a bit of rain this morning, it was another nice day.
Andrew dived and cleaned a little more of the hull this morning. We went for a couple of swims and whilst Andrew and B kayaked to shore for another icecream, Sue made some chicken soup which will be an easy meal during the storm.
B cleaned another stanchion and Sue washed out the kayak bag and seat which had got somewhat damp and dirty.
This evening we had sundowners on the back deck enjoying the last of the sun.
Tomorrow is supposed to be another nice day. Maybe time for a walk and swim! We have been carefully guarding our spot in the Bay, although we think most of the other boats will leave tomorrow or Saturday.

Wednesday 8th February

We awoke to a calm bay.
There are different predictions for Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle that is barrelling towards NZ and it is a case of keeping a keen eye on the weather. At this stage even the weather forecasters are not sure where, when it is coming. We decided not to make a run for the Bay of Islands until after this cyclone has passed through.
So, after breakfast B gave us a quick French lesson before we headed out to do some fishing. Sue and B did the fishing while Andrew kept baiting their hooks. After several under size Snapper which were returned, B caught a good sized one and Sue caught one shortly after. Andrew filleted them ready for lunch.
We then headed off to the Beehive (a small island off Kawau). We dinghyed ashore and walked along the beach (40m long).
We thought we would get to a sheltered bay ready for the coming storm before other boats filled the Bay. There was already a yacht in Two House Bay when we arrived but we had just enough room to anchor between them and the shore. We figured they weren’t staying so we waited till they left and moved forward a little. This allows us to put out plenty of chain if we need to when the cyclone hits.
After lunch B cleaned another stanchion (only another 16 or so to go!). Then we pumped up the inflatable kayak for B and Andrew to go for a paddle around the Bay. After a short time they came back to the boat to get some money so they could get an ice cream from the cafe on shore. (It’s only a 2 person kayak so Sue missed out this time!). When they got back it was time for another swim then we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and tried to sort through some of the photos we’ve been taking.

Tuesday 7th February
Plans change so fast when living on a boat. Yesterday we headed to Tindalls Bay to pick up more provisions (more wine) before heading to the Bay of Islands. This morning we borrowed a car and did the shopping. Then set sail for Kawau Island, to spend the night before setting off to BOI.
Because of the wind we anchored off the mainland at Scandretts bay. We were going to head off tomorrow for the BOI and be there before high winds reach the area.
Now it’s being predicted there is a cyclone heading towards us and will hit NZ. Because of the uncertainty of the path and severity of this cyclone, we have decided to stay around Kawau until the end of next week when it has passed. We just have to make sure we are in a secure and sheltered bay by Saturday.

Monday 6th February
No exercising on deck this morning. It was raining again. Not much to do this morning except program and fit B’s personal AIS to her life jacket. So now we can’t lose her overboard.
After lunch we all went ashore. We found a ball and played throw the ball through the hole in the sign. We weren’t very good at that, so we walked around the shore where B found a rope swing. We checked out the old homestead which is now the information centre.
We got back to Imagine in time for a swim. While sitting out on deck we heard a launch having trouble hauling anchor. B and Andrew went to help. His anchor had hooked through a hole in an old log and wouldnt let go. By the time we got there, there was someone else helping. We used our dinghy to bump and tow the launch away from the rocks while they worked on cutting the log off.
We then put B to work cleaning a stanchion. By the time she had finished the wind had changed direction so we hauled anchor and set sail for Tindalls Bay.
With Sue at the helm, B took time out to rest out on deck. Half way back we encountered a cargo boat travelling down the shipping channel right in our way. So we had to make some evasive maneuvers to get around him. This was when B saw the engine temperature start climbing rapidly. This meant some seaweed or something has clogged the water intake. Then the wind started to die and the tide passing through Tiri Channel was running against us.
Jibing, tacking and changing sails as the wind changed direction and slowly got lighter made it a long sail back. We turned on the motor for the last little bit but only running it just above idle speed to keep the temperature down.
We’ve anchored and are having a cup of tea before crawling into bed.

Sunday 5th February

B was up early this morning, out on deck doing her stretches and exercise. After breakfast we were off. Not far, just around the corner to Islington bay. That’s where Andrew and B went ashore on Rangitoto.

It was the first time B had climbed a volcano. Rangitoto is a dormant volcano (not extinct). Scientists say it’s not IF but WHEN it will next explode.
Without a thought we headed up the volcano. It took about an hour and many photos to reach the top. From the top you can see from Whangaparaoa to Auckland and out east to Waiheke Island.

Upon returning to Imagine we had lunch then motored back to Home Bay where we spent last night. The afternoon was spent boat watching and fishing (we had steak for dinner).

A couple on a nearby boat rowed across to see if we could charge their phone. We talked and showed them through Imagine while their phone charged. They were a local couple that were taking the boat out to see what needed doing to it before they bought it.

Saturday 4th February
This morning the wind was still blowing into Tindalls Bay so we decided to head off to find some shelter. But before we set off Andrew and B changed the filters on the watermaker. B took the helm around the peninsula and sailed across to Motutapu. Sheltered in Home Bay it was time for a swim.
Just before dinner Sue and B tried their hand at fishing, only to catch under size Snapper. It’s pork for dinner.

Friday 3rd February
After another calm night the day started off with rain so B and Sue did a little laundry then we all had showers in the rain.
We introduced B to “pass the pigs” and she promptly won the first game after the referee confirmed Sue’s pigs were touching (although Sue wasn’t convinced even after the torch and camera came out)! Sue won the second “revenge” game.
When it stopped raining B stripped the winch for the main, cleaned and greased it before reassembling it.
After lunch we hauled anchor and headed back to Tindalls Bay. On arrival we went ashore and picked up our new Skylink Sattelite unit and installed it. We now should have good internet coverage around NZ.
We have to find a permanent place to mount the antenna. Until then we will just put it on the back deck.

Thursday 2nd February
It was a relatively nice sail to Kawau with motor assist. Within minutes of arriving in Farmer Bay we were in the water for a swim. Despite the howling winds around us we have been in a very calm bay and a peaceful night’s sleep was had by all.
This morning started with a swim around the boat then B and I took the dinghy around to Mansion House Bay and tried to walk to the Copper mine. There were a few trees down across the track and the track got very slippery so we turned back.
After lunch on Imagine we tried again to get to the Copper mine, this time by dinghy. We had to land the dinghy on the beach and walk around the rocks to reach it. After taking a few photos we returned to Imagine for another swim and the first Monopoly Deal competition – we won a game each but it looks like there are some very competitive people on the boat!
As the tide came in we tried a little fishing, which resulted in catching three little Snapper (too small to keep). It was then time for cheese, crackers and wine in the cockpit as a rain shower passed. Again it is reasonably calm here and we hear it is quite the opposite at Tindalls Bay where we had been.

Wednesday 1st February
B yesterday flew in from Sydney to join us. Auckland has put on special weather for the occasion. Another big storm, high winds and rain causing road closures and cancelled ferries. B managed to stay dry and eventually made it to Whangaparaoa. The trip to Imagine in the dinghy was not quite as dry.
B didn’t take any convincing to take her pants off before wading into the sea to get in the dinghy. We had only just got in the dinghy when a wave crashed over the bow and B got here first initiation to our boat life.
Once onboard Imagine we dried off, put the wet things in the engine room to dry and showed B around. After dinner we all had an early night. Or went to bed early but with Imagine bouncing around in the storm. We didn’t get a good night’s sleep.
This morning the wind and rain are dying down so we wI’ll head off to Kawau Island for a few days and better shelter.