Saturday 18th February
The day started with a swim before breakfast. Then after breakfast B told us its not going to rain until the afternoon so we all climbed into the dinghy and went ashore. We walked the beach looking at the array of shells. B and Andrew found a cave.
Then it rained. We made our way back to the dinghy. Andrew waded into the water and maneuvered the dinghy to make it easy for Sue and B to get into the dinghy without getting their clothes wet. Sue made it half way into the dinghy when her other leg started sinking into the loose pebbles (like quicksand). -B decided it would be a good idea to help her, but then B lost her balance and over she went. Sue made it all the way into the dinghy while laughing at B sitting on her bum, chest deep in the water. Luckily the phones and camera had just been put into the water proof bag B was carrying.
By the time we made it back to Imagine the rain had stopped. That’s when we noticed B had shut her hatch (in anticipation of the rain we weren’t getting) while the rest were open.
We hauled anchor to go find another bay. The bay we set off for already had two boats in it, so we went to the next bay. There were two charter boats in the Bay so we anchored out a bit while we had lunch knowing they wouldn’t stay.
After lunch we could see there was a small swell coming in the Bay so we headed off for somewhere else. We found a small sheltered bay. Andrew and B went ashore walked the beach, climbed trees and returned dry. It hasn’t rained all afternoon. B is no longer allowed to report on the weather conditions.
The fishing before wine and nibblies only hooked small snapper, so B made curry and rice for dinner. After dinner the girls wanted to do some more fishing. This time a little more successful. Several small snapper were caught. B had her line broke a couple of times before Sue brought in a Kawhai. Fish for lunch tomorrow.

Friday 17th February
Thursday morning we all went for a swim. After breakfast we did a tiki tour in and out of the bays around us. We stopped in one for lunch in Outu Bay, then B and Andrew swam ashore. While exploring the beach they saw dark clouds approaching, so it was back to Imagine. Quite a rough trip.
We headed around Cape Brett and checked out the hole in the rock. We anchored in a nice bay at Te AkeAke Point. The three of us swam to shore where Andrew and B climbed the hill for the view. We will return another day but we had to haul anchor as the wind was just coming into the Bay and there was a more sheltered bay elsewhere.
We spent the night at Putakokota Bay and this morning headed to Paihia and the laundromat. We also picked up more supplies of fresh fruit. Back on Imagine, we headed back out to shelter in Pareanui Bay.

Wednesday 15th February
We made it. Well almost. We set off at dawn this morning for the Bay of Islands. We had thought of stopping overnight at Whangarei, but changed our minds. We thought the debris from the storm would make it unpleasant. We found out on the way up the coast that Whangarei had warnings to look out for sunken boats in 5 of the bays.
It was a great day, blue sky with less than a metre of swell and the wind in the morning was only 25kts. As the day went on the wind slowly dropped, untill it reached 10kts (the minimum Imagine needs to move). As Imagine got slower and slower we decided to motor sail the last bit.
Because the tide was also against us and the light was fading we have stopped at Te Toroa bay for the night. It’s at Cape Brett, just around the corner from the Bay of Islands. It’s very calm so far but it was good we arrived with a bit of light because now it’s pitch black! We will all be heading off to bed real soon, knackered is the best way to describe us!

Tuesday 14th February
The cyclone hit full force in the pitch black of last night. The wind was howling though the trees on the cliff and the storm surge waves were rocking us around. Not all the trees survived the night. Every now and then we heard the crashing of trees and the splintering of branches as they slid down the cliff into the Bay. In places the cliff has given way and poured tons of mud into the Bay.
Andrew and Sue took turns at staying awake to monitor our tracking position. B didn’t get much sleep either with the waves pounding Imagine and the occasional log/tree hitting the hull on its way out to sea. We were sheltered from most of the wind, with only gusts to contend with.
The little cell phone coverage we had yesterday is no more and the VHF marine weather channel is no longer transmitting (can’t tell what the wind was or is out of the bay). Thank goodness we bought the Starlink Sattelite internet. We haven’t had time to mount it but it works while tied to the deck.
This morning revealed a very muddy bay with the swell still coming in despite most of the whitecap waves passing the bay’s entrance. Nobody was interested in going for a swim this morning.
The wind is predicted to swing more south westerly today. The two power cats have hauled anchor and headed out into the waves, so we have moved into Mansion House bay for more protection from the west. By midnight it’s predicted that the winds will drop off. This means we may be able to make a run for the Bay of Islands on Wednesday.

Monday 13th February
Cyclone Gabrielle is spending some time with us (currently blowing over 60kts), so we have to be patient and keep busy with non sailing stuff.
Sue slept in the cockpit last night keeping watch on where the boat swung and that the other three boats in the Bay weren’t moving.
After breakfast B and Andrew went for a swim in the rain. The Bay was calm, but the wind was still whistling in the trees on the cliff. After their swim and shower on the back deck, they checked out the trees they could see had fallen overnight.
Andrews bread didn’t turn out too good today. We think we need a new breadmaker (its made a few hundred loves). B made a cake for afternoon tea which had a lovely caramelised bottom (slightly browned) we’ll blame that on the overn, then it was back to cards. We are still having fun and looking forward for better weather to sail up the coast to the Bay of Islands.
Hope everyone is staying safe and dry. We don’t get too much news at the moment but know some areas have been really hit hard. We are grateful we are in one of the few bays in Auckland that has given us some shelter so far.

Sunday 12th February
Yes we are still floating. Overnight we had been collecting rainwater in the buckets. So this morning we all washed our hair and showered on the back deck. So refreshing (bloody cold). It was a bit of fun and killed some time.
It’s been raining on and off all day, so not much to do except play cards. The wind on the other side of the island has been averaging 51kts and gusting up to 62kts (120k). Here in the Bay it’s been averaging 7.5kts and max gust we recorded was 21.3kts. Already we have heard one tree fall in the wind.
We will be keeping an eye on things through the night and over the next few days, let’s hope it passes sooner rather than later! We hope all our friends and rellies are doing ok and keep safe.

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.