Linda
01/10/2010, Auckland 36*50.359' S 174*44.823' E

After our overnight stop in Tutukaka night before last, we headed on to Kawau Island, just northeast of Auckland. It was a long day and we didn't arrive until after dark. Thanks to good charts, navigational beacons and our spotlight, we anchored safely in Stockyard Bay. We knew the bay had a wide opening and a good anchorage just inside. In the morning we could see that it was a good choice. No other boats around us, they were all in the anchorage across the bay.

We're now in Auckland, which feels a lot like Seattle. Big city, lots of boats, similar weather, but much more laid back. They even have a bungy jump off the top of the Skytower. It's the highest jump of it's kind in the world at 192 meters. Maybe I'll check and see if they have a group rate for tomorrow. I think I'm really a city girl gone sailing...I love it here! The people, the stores, the architecture. We're moored at Westhaven Marina, about a 15 minute walk from the edge of the activity. Lots of marine stores between here and there begging for us to come in and spend some boat dollars.

One of our neighbors from Port Townsend is meeting us here to do some sailing and sightseeing. After Steve arrives early tomorrow morning, we'll check the weather and make a plan for our next adventures. I've done our meal planning and we've walked into town to pick up provisions. Took our 3 big shopping bags and by the time they were filled to overflowing, we could hardly carry them. Made it about half way back before we gave in and called a cab!

Everything is stowed, the v-berth is habitable and I think we look pretty shipshape here at Hotel Kattywompus.

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Linda
01/07/2010, 35*21.049' S 174*20.192' E

OK, so I thought we were in Whangamumu but Brad says we're in Whangaruru. That explains why it looks so different from when we were here 5 years ago!

Anyway...We had a great day of sailing and it's a nice anchorage. We've been ashore to collect Pipi's and Cockles for dinner tomorrow night. Pipis are a local type of clam and we collected about a dozen in the first cove we walked through. Low tide and out in the water, up to your ankles or so, is best. We just dig around under the surface of the sandy muck with our hands 'til we find some. Next cove over, same routine but we find lots of Cockles. Another small, clam looking edible. We'll leave them in a bucket of sea water so they will clean themselves of the grit inside their shells before they're steamed. We're becoming quite the hunter and gatherers.

In NZ there are no licenses required for fishing or gathering shell fish. There are strict size limitations and limits though with hefty fines attached. We've never seen a place where people are so fishing crazy! They're everywhere, even out in the Pacific in some pretty darn small boats. It's an after work activity as well as weekend fun. I guess if you're surrounded by the water like they are here, it's a big part of life. Beats sitting in front of the TV!!!

Next hop tomorrow is to Tutukaka. We understand that there's a nice anchorage there. We'll keep you posted.

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Linda
01/06/2010, New Zealand

We're on our way to Auckland and are spending tonight in Deepwater Cove, just east of the Bay of Islands before you round Cape Brett. 35*11.543S 174*17.840E We found a nice spot to drop the hook and made a trip into the small beach. Not many shells for collecting (Brad breathes a sigh of relief!) It took about 6 hours to get here from Opua. The wind was minimal, so we did a bit of motoring. There were these odd little neon blue bubble things in the water off the stern. No idea what they are but Brad saw them too so I know I, not crazy! In the morning we'll make the corner, passing by 'hole in the rock' and head on south.

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Linda
12/31/2009, The Bay of Islands NZ

Yesterday morning, we sailed Kattywompus to Waiwhapuku Bay on the east side of Moturua Island. I have never seen so many boats in such a small place in my life! Evidently the 'Kiwis' don't mind togetherness when they're on holiday. Our motive for stopping here was to pick some green lipped mussels for New Years Eve dinner. And that we did. On the advice of an Aussie friend, we motored the dinghy to the NE side of the island where we found a place to go ashore. Brad. Greg and Nick took a bucket and in no time were back with it almost filled. Back to the boat and off we sailed towards Russell to anchor for the evening. Nick prepared a tasty garlic cream sauce for the steamed mussels and along with some pasta, bread and homemade cheesecake for dessert it was quite the gourmet feast. We had made bets on how many Mussels had been collected and I believe the final count when we were finished eating was about 115. The fireworks at midnight, were some of the best I've seen.

We wish you all a Happy 2010!

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Linda
12/27/2009, From Tauranga NZ 37* 40.231 S 176* 10.658 E

So the Christmas cookies have been baked. We made four kinds and they were all yummy. We tested them out on some of the boatyard workers where John and Nicole have 'Taraipo' hauled out and received no complaints! Our xmas lights are up and a few things from the voyage decorate the salon. The ipod contains our collection of holiday music so we are set for the festivities. Brad, Nicole and I make a final run to the supermarket in Paihia for our Christmas dinner ingredients. We went in the dinghy to save time and ended up soaking wet by the time we arrived home. Who's idea was that?

For Christmas eve, our friends Andre and Claire from 'Naiouli' and John and Nicole from 'Taraipo' came to Kattyompus to celebrate. Our menu was grilled lamb, roasted potatoes, broccoli and a Scottish pudding with brandy butter that Nicole made for dessert. Andre and Claire brought an appetizer of fish baked in a pastry crust with preserved lemons. They caught the fish and had also preserved the lemons. Yummm! We had a fun evening with beautiful summer weather, a toast to our adventures and lots of sailing tales exchanged in the company of good friends.

On Christmas day, the cruisers had organized a big party at the cruising club. We had a huge dinner of Turkey, Ham and all the trimmings. The cooking was done by Eric, who used to be the chef at a top notch restaurant at Lake Tahoe. Everyone else brought side dishes, salads, appetizers and desserts. We mashed 10 lbs. of the potatoes, which of course took longer than expected. Over 50 of us attended but there were still plenty of leftovers. Bobby Jo and Roger from 'Hipnautical' provided the entertainment with their Harp and Guitar music and there was an excellent Yankee Gift Trade to complete the evening. Brad now owns a lovely Christmas tie that I'm sure will be back under the tree again next near.

As the end of 2009 approaches, once again Brad and I look at each other in amazement. Just where are we and how did we get here, we ask? Life is good!!!!

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Linda
12/21/2009, From Tauranga NZ 37* 40.231 S 176* 10.658 E

After arriving back at the boat in Opua, there were a few projects to do then we were off to explore the Bay of Islands. Beautiful cruising grounds and so close at hand. We had a relaxing sail to Motuarohia Island the first day. Excellent climb to a viewing platform at it's highest point. Panoramic view of the islands and surrounding water. The beach was absolutely covered with shells. I've never seen anything like it. They don't weigh much but by the time I'm done we'll have the lockers filled!

The next day we continued on and since it was such a great sailing day we circumnavigated the islands of Okahu, Waewaetorea and Urupukapuka. Anchored in Paradise Bay on Urupukapuka and went ashore. While Brad went to check out the hiking opportunities, I combed the beach again. Voila, more shells and different types than the day before! Big, beautifully colored Scallops and Golden Oyster shells to add to the collection.

The next morning we went ashore to do some hiking. The Dept. of Conservation here does an amazing job of creating and maintaining trails throughout NZ. They don't believe in a lot of switchbacks though. In some places, it's either steep or they've built stairs. Nothing like a good workout! The trail we took headed up and around to about 950 feet above the bay. There are numerous sheep fences along the way that you climb over. No sheep at this time but we understand that there will be some again soon. Once again the views were amazing. The photos are posted in the December album. We ran into David from 'Beasmaster' who is anchored near us. He's from Manitoba Canada, learned to sail in British Columbia, bought a boat in Vancouver and set off singlehanding a few years ago. We hiked the rest of the distance together and he agreed to join us for dinner on 'Kattywompus' later that evening.

Early the next morning we were awakened by voices over loudspeakers. Brad popped his head out to find we were surrounded by 3 big tour boats out to see the dolphins. It was quite a spectacle as a pod of dolphins had come into Paradise Bay and the boats were in hot pursuit. 2 of the boats disgorged at least 40 people into the water to swim with them. They were hooting and hollering and the dolphins appeared to think it was great. They played and entertained like they were payed to do it. When the boats left, so did the dolphins. Go figure!! All quiet again, so we went to shore and scrubbed the dinghy. We now have the wheels installed that drop down from the transom. Makes it much easier to pull the dinghy up on the beach and also to launch it again when the tide has gone out. Two more projects off the list.

The social calendar shows that I'm joining Nicole to bake Swiss Christmas cookies this week so we're headed back to Opua. Next update soon to follow.

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