Every cruising book you read talks about the great highs, and miserable lows of cruising - it can't be fantastic all the time, otherwise everyone would be doing it! We had a few great days, then some crap days, and are back to the good again - nice calm bay, dog friendly (ish - more on that soon) beach, sunny, etc. After chatting with another boatie ashore, we're coming to realise that NZ government departments (ie DOC) really don't like dogs, and that while in the marina there was awesome dog walking parks within easy reach where you could walk and play to your hearts content, while cruising, there's stuff all places you can go with your dogs who want more than just a 5 minute beach visit to do their toileting (which we've noticed is all some other dogs get). Even though Twink and Pip are getting on, and Twink has arthritis, he still loves to go out for walks 2-3-4-5-(as many as he can get) times a day, for 30-60 mins each, and chase sticks, tennis balls, swim, or just mooch around exploring. It's also great for his general well being to keep fit and healthy, and we enjoy spending quality time with them. A 10 min walk up and down a small beach, and then maybe a short walk up a tick infested track thru the bush just isn't going to cut it. Plus, we miss the walking too.

Back onboard now and other than the disappointing dog walking, sitting in the sun with a good book is a great way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon :). I've just put some beers in the fridge to cool down for later, and there's a nice breeze blowing to keep things from getting too hot. We had fish all round the boat last night and they were nibbling on Steve's toes, so we might put a line out. Our engine is running to charge the batteries (which we think are on their last legs - they are about 4 years old), and life is good :). Steve was talking about going for a paddle in the kayaks later, so maybe we'll experiment taking the dogs on them with us and see what other little bays we can find.

Later the same day ....
Never got to the kayaking today - maybe tomorrow. Spent the avo chilling, reading, having a beer or two or ..., playing guitar and picking the odd tick off the dogs (oh joy!). We are adamant that we will try kayaking with the dogs tomorrow (honest! ;). Saw dolphins jumping further out in the bay (did I mention we had two zoom in alongside the boat on the trip over from coromandel?) but they didn't come any closer. Bay is filling up and some boats have all sorts of coloured flashy lights onboard ... not sure what that's all about - maybe some sort of festive season that we don't know about? ;) (or are studiously avoiding ;)