Saturday 28th January
Having been in the middle of one of the worst floods in Brisbane last year, we didn’t think we would have the serious flooding in summer in Auckland!
To all our friends and family in Auckland and surrounds, we hope you and your home’s are all ok. For those not in Auckland, a state of emergency was declared last night due to the extreme conditions that resulted in horrendous flooding, the airport being closed and more. We don’t have full reception here but are getting bits of news when the boat swings in the right direction.
Last night I had a dream that we were staying at the brotherlinlaw’s farm. It was windy and a tree had blown down on top of a small garden shed. Another fell half down threatening to land on the house. We found some rope and went to pull the tree away from the house. At that point I woke up.
I awoke to a large crash and the splintering of wood. Shit, a boat has hit the rocks. I raced out on deck. I couldn’t see any boats around, but there on the beach partly in the water were two trees. The high winds and torrential rain had toppled one of the tall pine trees, which dragged another tree over the cliff. Then a second land slide occurred further along the cliff.

Friday 27th January
After switching the motor off yesterday, the saltwater intake pump was still leaking half a litre per minute. Turning off the sea cock solved that problem.
Today we had to do something about it. Step 1, turn off the sea cock for the deck wash pump and remove the pump. Step 2, find pipe connections to fit engine hoses. Not so easy. None of the fittings onboard were large enough to fit the engine hoses. I used the largest fittings I had, then used short pieces of pipe sleeving each other until the desired size was reached. No not ideal, but it’s only to get us back to the mainland and new parts. Step 3, mount the pump with cable ties.
That should have been all. But no. The water that splashed over the engine while doing all this, had wet the engine sensors. This meant the Volvo computer wouldn’t let the engine start, despite drying off the engine with a towel, it detected dampness or something. It’s funny a boat motor not liking the wet!
Now we are fully stocked we are running two freezers and the fridge. The overcast rainy day has meant the solar panels are not charging the batteries. As the batteries got lower in charge we had to get the motor going to charge them. Andrew disconnected computer wiring from the engine and shorted the starter solenoid with a screw driver. A friend recently called Andrew “MacGyver” and I’d have to agree. He seems to be able to fix most things, even things he’s never done before!
We ran the motor for a few minutes (the deck wash pump works) then switched off and reconnected the computer. The heat of the engine had dried out the problem and the engine started with its normal push of the button.
We can’t run the motor for too long at once because the deck wash pump is not made to run continuously. But it’s enough for now.
We’ve been lucky with this anchorage, we are out of most of the stormy weather

Thursday 26th January
We haven’t done a lot lately, well up until yesterday. We have a new crew member arriving on Tuesday, so we did a big shop yesterday to stock up the boat. Dinghying to shore, borrow a car to get to the supermarket, several trips back and forth to Imagine in the dinghy with the groceries, took just about all day. On Tuesday we will get the fresh fruit and veggies before B arrives.

On the way back from the shops I dropped our phone. Now it has a crack across the back and a growing crack in the corners of the screen. So we have had to order a new one.

Today the weather has turned bad and is getting worse in the next two days, so we hauled anchor and headed to Kawau. Already a large swell had developed. Several of the waves pushed us over 45 degrees according to our floating compass. One of those waves created a slight problem. The rack behind the stove holding all the sauce bottles and oils gave way. Soya sauce, olive oil, vinaigrette and many others, across the stove and galley floor. They had to stay there till we could anchor.

Sue just turned to look out the back of Imagine as the dinghy painter (rope) gave way. Off the dinghy went surfing the waves. We had to drop the sails and turn around and do a man (well dinghy) overboard! Sue guided Imagine alongside of the dinghy on the windward side, to protect it from the high swell. Andrew was able to hook the dinghy and retie it to the back of Imagine.

Next the engine temperature gauge started climbing. A quick look at the engine revealed the salt water intake pump was pouring water out. Oh oh! Three hours from the mainland, a storm coming and a stuffed water pump. Luckily we were only two minutes from the anchorage.

It’s time for a Bourbon. I’ll look at the pump tomorrow when the engine has cooled down.

Thursday 12th January

Today we have had a few light showers. The sea has been like glass. No sign of what it’s been like the past few days.

By Tuesday evening it was interesting. The swell was coming from the north and pounding the shore. The wind was southerly and so high that in this protected bay we clocked 35kt winds. The wind was creating white capped waves riding over the swell and away from the shore. As the swell hit the rocks the wind curved the spray back on themselves.

Wednesday the wind moved to the west. This left us more exposed as it curved into the Bay. We could only ride it out. If we had moved to the western side of the Bay we could have got more shelter from the wind but the swell was hammering that side of the Bay more than where we are. It’s more comfortable pointing into high wide than rocking in the swell.

Tuesday 10th January

The day after anchoring at Tindalls it was a beautiful day, sunny, warm and lots of swimming.

Then an ex Tropical Cyclone now an extra tropical storm is hitting Auckland. It’s raining and the winds have been up to 50kts (100km). We were quite protected yesterday. Not so much today. There is a 0.5m swell coming in the Bay, but out of the Bay it’s 2m. Although we are on anchor we are surfing forward with the swell, then the wind pushes us back. These are the conditions small boat anchors could let go, as they move back and forth over the anchor. Our oversized anchor and chain have proven to hold us in these conditions in the past.

There are a few boats moored around us and a short time ago a catamaran came in towing a Wharram (another type of catamaran) and anchored a short distance in front of us. They must have had some pretty rough weather getting here.

Tomorrow the wind will turn westerly so we will move across to Swann Bay for more protection.

For now it’s back to cards and movies and keeping an eye on the storm

Thursday 5th January
Pauline left us on the 1st heading back to life on land. She intends coming out with us again later.
We immediately set sail back to Kauwau Island and Copper Mine Bay. The winds and sea were already rising and we needed shelter. For the past four days a storm has been lashing the coast of NZ. The winds have been reaching 50kts (100km) and 3m waves, but will start to die down tomorrow.
Where we are anchored is nicely sheltered from all of that, but we are up against the cliffs which block our phone and internet reception. This has made it hard to let everyone know we are not battling the winds. We decided to stay here and have seen several of the boats that left to go to Bon Accord Harbour come back the same or next day. Whilst we can swim, it’s pretty cold when you get out because of the wind. So, we’ve played a lot of cards, read and watched some movies.
)

Saturday 31st December
Yesterday morning we picked up Pauline from shore and headed back to Kawau Island. With the light winds we were only able to sail half way before having to start the motor.
There wasn’t enough room left at Moturekareka Island for us, so we continued to Kawau. As we approached we could see Mansion House and Two House Bays were overflowing with boats. With that we headed around the corner to Coppermine Bay. There were only a few boats there. The south west breeze was keeping others away.
Within minutes of dropping the anchor we jumped in for a swim. After the swim and lunch it was card time. Pauline taught us a new game and then we introduced her to Monopoly Deal.
The card games were interrupted by several swims to cool off. After dinner more cards.
This morning we moved across the bay to Dispute Cove for better shelter as the wind was swinging around to East/Northeast. Before we had chance to go for a swim Pauline got a phone call from a friend who had seen her car at Tindalls to tell her she had left the window down.
With that we hauled anchor and set off back to Tindalls Bay. As we rounded the end of Kawau we realised how sheltered Coppermine Bay and Dispute Cove were. The 15 to 20kt wind and 2m waves made it a fast return to Tindalls.
We dropped anchor and raced to shore in the dinghy. Pauline secured her car and we returned to Imagine and had a swim to cool off.
The rest of the day has been spent playing cards, sunbathing and swimming. Pauline is making dinner as we prepare to welcome the New Year in on Imagine.
We would like to take this chance to wish all our friends and family a very happy and prosperous 2023.

Thursday 29th December

We have just had awesome weather the last 3 days and have been enjoying spending time sailing around Kawau Island with our friends Dani, Greg and Elo.

Days have been full of sun, fun, food, Uno Flip (card game), swimming and laughter. Not a lot of sailing as the winds have been too light.

Elo (6 years old) kept everyone busy jumping off the deck and swimming around Imagine. She even swung off the boom and dropped into the water.
First night at Dispute Cove, Coppermine Bay, 2nd night in a favourite spot at Two House Bay and last night we were going to stay at Stockyard Bay in Bon Accord Harbour but after being there for 2-3 hours and the mass of boats arriving and TRYING to anchor, we felt it safer for us to leave.

We motored around the point and spotted a quiet bay that only had one small fizz boat in it, Farmer Bay. It looked quite calm and when the fizz boat left, we had the bay to ourselves. Some more swims, drinks and nibbles, dinner and an early night.

This morning we headed back to Tindalls Bay, arriving with enough time for more swims around the boat before dropping Dani, Greg and Elo back to shore.

Monday 26th December
The past 6 days have been great, blue skies and no rain. We haven’t been able to do a great deal in the past 16 days until Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve we went to some friends (Dani, Greg and Elo) for a Chilean get together.
Christmas Day was spent with Andrew’s father and sister in Pukekohe
The next day (today) Dani, Greg and Elo joined us on Imagine and we motored to Moturekareka (no wind). After having a swim and lunch we moved to Copper Mine Bay for the evening.
Currently there is a very competitive game of Uno Flip happening.

Friday 9th December

We spent most of Thursday chilling out on Imagine, with a short break when Raphael and Tamara ventured ashore for a quick walk between showers.

By the time we had finished breakfast this morning, several of the boats had left the bay. We hauled anchor and ventured out through the rain. We had a side on swell all the way and the wind off the back quarter.

A few hours later we anchored at Tindalls beach. Raphael and Tamara packed their things and Andrew took them ashore. Andrew had borrowed a friend’s car and took them to pick up their bikes. They set off in the rain continuing their cycling around NZ.