Thursday 5th November
Still sheltering in Port Taranaki from the cold and gusty SE winds. The 40knts of yesterday have at least moderated to 25-30knts and the sun is out - but it's freezing! Mount Taranaki is looking splendid in a fresh coating of snow!!
Port Taranaki isn't exactly small yacht friendly. When we entered on Wed eve, in driving rain, we were directed to the anchorage area, with the promise of good holding in mud. The anchorage was actually fully exposed to the NE swell and after 4 failed attempted at setting the anchor we gave up and grabbed the nearest vacant mooring buoy (the first time ever we have failed to set our anchor, the bottom felt like solid rock). As all the moorings are private we called the Harbour Master for advice and he offered us the use of one of three spare Pilot Boat moorings - but after driving around for half an hour (still raining) we couldn't find any of the supposed numbered buoys so, cold and wet we finally grabbed the biggest/most sheltered mooring we could find and hoped it was attached to more than just a house brick. Nobody appears to have up to date records of who owns the moorings (or what size they are built to hold), so we all look out the window nervously during the big gusts to make sure we're not moving! Fortunately no big fishing boat has returned to tell us to clear off, and hopefully we can stay put until morning. Looks like lighter winds for tomorrow so hope to finally head for home in the morning. Should take us 24-26 hours depending on wind strength :)