Learning to surfSchool time - maths flashcards
Me driving while Dan tells me where to go!
Jodes playing in the sand
Sun set from Urapukapuka Island.
Tall ship in Russel
Jodes playing in the sand
Sun set from Urapukapuka Island.
Tall ship in Russel Jodes leaving :( on her fast ferry.
The two days after our trip North were spent in Teamaro Bay just south of Doubtless Bay. This bay has several coves for safe anchorage for weather from the S to W. The first night we were in a cove with a rocky shore which proved quite difficult to negotiate in jandals while trying to do washing or explore, so after lunch on Saturday we headed around the corner to the next cove. Here there was a secluded sandy beach with some little surf like waves that we all had fun playing in. There was also a tyre swing in a tree, a warm pool left by the outgoing tide and a dam that needed repairing! On the Sunday morning on a higher tide we returned there for some photos in the trees and rocks and a power walk along the soft wet sand. The surf at high tide was really impressive and we needed to pick our place to take the dingy.
We then headed out of our resting place towards Whangaroa Harbour. It took us couple of hours under full sail to get to the entrance of this hidden haven. Jodie wasn’t at all sure that we weren’t heading for the rocks until she saw a launch disappear behind them. Dan and I had been here by road many years ago but were unable to remember what it was like and it was amazing to have this large area reveal itself from such a narrow entry. The landscape was breathtaking with amazing rock formations and foliage colouring. We headed straight down the harbour to Totara North to think about getting some stores but decided we could do without them. Dan tried to see if we could get a marina berth to plug into power to recharge the batteries but the marina there didn’t have a space wide enough for us. We then headed back up the harbour to spend the night in Rere Bay. We sailed most of the way back up which was rather unnerving with the wind shifting around due to the surrounding cliffs and the huge amount of water traffic. This may have contributed to the fact we forgot about our centre boards and we were gently reminded when the bottom of the bay went from over two metres to 1.6 and the port centre board copped it again by digging into the soft mud. We safely anchored on the other side of the bay and the kids, Jodie and I went dingying/exploring while Dan cooked tea. The next morning we headed up a creek in the dingy with the outboard and left it tied to a tree as we followed a well marked track up into the bush for about half an hour. We met several groups of people on the way and got interesting photos of stick insects and landslips. Unfortunately when we returned to the dingy the outboard wouldn’t start so it was a long, but peaceful row back to the boat through the mangroves. We refuelled ourselves with food and water/coffee then headed out of Whangaroa towards the Bay of Islands.
It took us five and a half hours to do 32nm in light winds from the NE. We caught another fish as Dan aimed for the flock of birds on the water. The kids and I spent most of this time on the tramps at the front reading stories or doing maths. We were past by triplet launches at one stage all cruising along together which seemed quite comical to us. We had already decided where we wanted to go so headed to Urupukapuka Island for the night. Once again there was a lot of water traffic and even more anchored in both of the bays we were thinking of staying, but we found our spot in water so clear we could see the bottom with 5 meters of depth. Once again a fish dinner and bottle of wine to help enjoy our surroundings. As seems to be our routine we headed for the beach in the morning by dinghy and boogie board and built sandcastles and swam. We contemplated doing some of the walk around the island but it was just too hard to stand up to do so. Another easy sail in the afternoon saw us get to Russell where we anchored and had lunch. Dan once again tried to get us a berth in Kerikeri or Opua marinas for the night but we have managed to time our arrival for Bay of Islands race week and there is no space at the inn. Plan C was then to head just around the corner to Matauwhi Bay for a safe anchorage past all the moored boats in close to the shore. We walked over the hill to shops for the first time in over a week and sorted out transport for Jodies departure the next day. An icecream and coffee break, stock up at the local 4 Square and back to the boat for our last evening with Jodes. Kids in bed we spent the evening in the cockpit listening to sounds on the outside speakers and star gazing.
This morning we said goodbye to Jodie as she was wisked away in a red fast ferry then spent and hour or so around Russell. Where we are anchored there is a small reserve and we kicked a ball around and played with some new found friends. One of the really cool things around here is the kiwi protected areas which we have been hearing the calls of kiwi on and off all evening. The kids are really excited about knowing they are in the wild. A small downside is seeing a little one squashed on the side of the road.
Well that is up to date for the moment so will leave off here and update you on our goings on and highlights in the next couple of days.
We then headed out of our resting place towards Whangaroa Harbour. It took us couple of hours under full sail to get to the entrance of this hidden haven. Jodie wasn’t at all sure that we weren’t heading for the rocks until she saw a launch disappear behind them. Dan and I had been here by road many years ago but were unable to remember what it was like and it was amazing to have this large area reveal itself from such a narrow entry. The landscape was breathtaking with amazing rock formations and foliage colouring. We headed straight down the harbour to Totara North to think about getting some stores but decided we could do without them. Dan tried to see if we could get a marina berth to plug into power to recharge the batteries but the marina there didn’t have a space wide enough for us. We then headed back up the harbour to spend the night in Rere Bay. We sailed most of the way back up which was rather unnerving with the wind shifting around due to the surrounding cliffs and the huge amount of water traffic. This may have contributed to the fact we forgot about our centre boards and we were gently reminded when the bottom of the bay went from over two metres to 1.6 and the port centre board copped it again by digging into the soft mud. We safely anchored on the other side of the bay and the kids, Jodie and I went dingying/exploring while Dan cooked tea. The next morning we headed up a creek in the dingy with the outboard and left it tied to a tree as we followed a well marked track up into the bush for about half an hour. We met several groups of people on the way and got interesting photos of stick insects and landslips. Unfortunately when we returned to the dingy the outboard wouldn’t start so it was a long, but peaceful row back to the boat through the mangroves. We refuelled ourselves with food and water/coffee then headed out of Whangaroa towards the Bay of Islands.
It took us five and a half hours to do 32nm in light winds from the NE. We caught another fish as Dan aimed for the flock of birds on the water. The kids and I spent most of this time on the tramps at the front reading stories or doing maths. We were past by triplet launches at one stage all cruising along together which seemed quite comical to us. We had already decided where we wanted to go so headed to Urupukapuka Island for the night. Once again there was a lot of water traffic and even more anchored in both of the bays we were thinking of staying, but we found our spot in water so clear we could see the bottom with 5 meters of depth. Once again a fish dinner and bottle of wine to help enjoy our surroundings. As seems to be our routine we headed for the beach in the morning by dinghy and boogie board and built sandcastles and swam. We contemplated doing some of the walk around the island but it was just too hard to stand up to do so. Another easy sail in the afternoon saw us get to Russell where we anchored and had lunch. Dan once again tried to get us a berth in Kerikeri or Opua marinas for the night but we have managed to time our arrival for Bay of Islands race week and there is no space at the inn. Plan C was then to head just around the corner to Matauwhi Bay for a safe anchorage past all the moored boats in close to the shore. We walked over the hill to shops for the first time in over a week and sorted out transport for Jodies departure the next day. An icecream and coffee break, stock up at the local 4 Square and back to the boat for our last evening with Jodes. Kids in bed we spent the evening in the cockpit listening to sounds on the outside speakers and star gazing.
This morning we said goodbye to Jodie as she was wisked away in a red fast ferry then spent and hour or so around Russell. Where we are anchored there is a small reserve and we kicked a ball around and played with some new found friends. One of the really cool things around here is the kiwi protected areas which we have been hearing the calls of kiwi on and off all evening. The kids are really excited about knowing they are in the wild. A small downside is seeing a little one squashed on the side of the road.
Well that is up to date for the moment so will leave off here and update you on our goings on and highlights in the next couple of days.
No comments:
Post a Comment