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Saturday 21st

We moved frm Opua to Russell where it was more sheltered in the quiet bay with only 20 boats. We didn’t know the Auckland to Russell boat race had started. It was about midnight when the first of the boats pulled into the Bay cheering and celebrating as they dropped anchor. Over the course of the night and into the morning the others arrived and shouting out to each other. By daybreak there were over 100 boats in the Bay. We could see it was going to be a party weekend, so we hauled anchor and zig zaged our way out of the bay. As we are going to head south when the wind changes on Tuesday, we started heading out of the bay of Islands. We ended up anchoring in Deep Water bay (the last bay in BOI before rounding Cape Brett for us to head South). This would give us shelter and a good head start on Tuesday.

It was only 2pm when we anchored, finally cheered up by the sun (after a week of grey sky and rain) and despite the 12 degrees water temperature on the intruments B couldn’t resist having a deep in the clear blue water (Anchoring in 8m depth water and we can still see the bottom). That was refreshing she said!

The rest of the day was as usual relaxing, playing cards and discussing what next need doing on the boat.

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We all got up late again this morning. It has been an overcast day with a northerly breeze. After breakfast we hauled anchor and headed to Paihia. Julia and Austin packed their bags ready to leave us. We all went ashore at Paihia and had fish and chips for lunch. After a short walk around town Julia headed off to the hotel (her last night in NZ) and Austin caught the bus to Auckland.

That left the two of us to do some shopping and go back to Imagine. We moved from Paihia back to Opua to get better shelter out of the wind. The rest of the afternoon we played cards and chilled.

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We tied up on the customs wharf at 6am. It was a little stressful as it was pitch black sky and no lights on the wharf. The tide was rushing at a couple of knots with us, which meant we have to be motoring at 4 knots to retain steering. Once along side the wharf, B (at the helm) put Imagine in reverse to try and stop us. I managed to get a mooring line onto a cleat on the wharf and tie off the bow. This kicked the back of Imagine out a little and that was all the tide needed to pull us around. We had no control as the tide turned us 180 degrees. At least now we were facing the tide and could control the boat. We were then able to get three other lines to the wharf and secure Imagine.
We didn’t get any sleep just cleaned up the boat, had breakfast and got ready for Customs. We waited and waited. Eventually they turned up at 1pm. It didnt take  long, but they did take all our meat and the remainder of our fresh fruit and veggies.
After we were officially in New Zealand, we left the wharf and anchored across at Russell. Julia was craving a beer, so we headed to the Duke of Marlborourgh hotel were we all enjoyed a cool drink. We strolled around Russell before having dinner at the Thai Restaurant. We returned to Imagine to enjoy the sunset.

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Almost there! Sixty nautical miles to go! We should arrive in Opua about 4am.

Today was a great day for blue water sailing. A gentle 1m swell, with 15kts of wind off the beam. It’s not very often that you would get these conditions out here. It has been the same as usual, doing your shift, eating and sleeping. B did say she saw dolphins off in the distance, but no body else saw them. Tonight’s dinner is using up all the left over food that Customs will want to confiscate tomorrow.

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No birds, no dolphins, no wind, no story, no pictures.

Any comments?

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There is nothing much to report. Just doing our shiftslazing around and taking photos of the sunrise and sunset.

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Last night the sky was so clear. I poked my head out of the cockpit to look at the stars. The moon had not risen yet. The bright stars shining white looked like they were on a black velvet backdrop. As my eyes adjusted to the light or lack of light, a second layer of light grey stars appeared filling the gaps between the white stars. Then a third layer of dark grey stars smothered the remaining black with dots. from horizon to horizon the sky was covered in stars. there was no space left for the black velvet backdrop. something you can only see far from the city lights.

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Wednesday 11th

Today we had low swell and winds making it a slow trip, so I put the rod off the back of Imagine with a small lure. While Austin and Julia slept, B and I played cards (B won). Just as we finished the rod went BZZZZZZ… there was something on the line! I raced onto the back deck to start reeling in our dinner. B depowered the boat to slow us down to make it easier for me. Austin and Julia came out on deck to see what the fuss was about.

It took 15 minutes to get the fish along side. I would get it close to Imagine then it would dive and I would have to reel it back in. Austin got the gaff hook and was ready to hook what looked to be a Tuna when the lure ripped out of its mouth. I put the line out again hoping for another chance but no luck.

For dinner, B had leftovers and Julia wasn’t hungry. Austin and I had Egg and Baked Beans on toast.

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Tuesday 10th

Over night the wind and swell was up, making it an uncomfortable night. This morning we discovered that during the night we had visitors. On the deck were three flying fish. They must have been Kamikase fish. 
As the day went on the wind started dropping and continued to drop below the 10knts we need to sail. This means we had to motor and will have to for a few days as we go through the centre of the high. We could sail around the high, but it would add days to the journey.
She is still alive! Julia made it up top to do her mid day shift. She even managed to keep down lunch. B is winning the hairstyle competition with her Rod Stewart look.