Sailing with Nine of Cups: SailBlogs

Too busy for words!

Marcie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:28:03 -0600

We're so busy, it's hard to find time to write about it. There seems to be something going on every day, every minute. We're waiting for a quote on the new mainsail. The engine compression check determined low compression in 3 of 4 cylinders...engine rebuild on the horizon, just getting quotes and figuring out the best place to get it done. The laundry is done (hoorah!). Marcie's doing a net controller day on the local morning net while we're here. Lots of socializing in the evenings, meeting up with old friends and participating in all the activities set up by the All Points Rally/ICA. (Continued...)

Wine tasting in Okiato

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:15:43 -0600

We took the ferry across the bay this afternoon ...only a 10 minute ride... to Okiato and the Omata Vineyards for a wine tasting. In this idyllic setting on a hill overlooking the Bay of Islands, we tasted merlot, syrah and chardonnay and then pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and a dessert wine. It will be easy refilling the wine cellar here. (Continued...)

Kerikeri shopping

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:57:18 -0600

We went with a group early this morning to the provincial town of Kerikeri and its Sunday morning Farmer's Market...not too far away from Opua, but it gave us a good view of the countryside en route. It's lush and green and Spring here, don't forget. The flowers and trees are all in bloom and the air smells fresh and fragrant. After the Farmer's Market, a little trek in a small kauri forest. Kauri are similar to the US giant redwoods. Kauri trees are protected now, having been nearly decimated by loggers in past years. New Zealand has a zillion of these walking paths through the forests and along the shore and we're intent on discovering and exploring as many as possible. Then we moved on to the Stone Store, the oldest stone building in NZ (~1836) which contains lots of memorabilia and small country store. (Continued...)