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.

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