News reports today speak of snowfalls shutting down major roads in Dunedin, schools closed all day. Heavy snowfalls in North Island and 'soft hail' falling in Wellington, 20cm snow at Ruapehu... while in the winterless north we have had a high of 10C and squally showers interspersed with alternating briefly blue skies and black clouds.
Glad I worked hard yesterday and ticked off the last of my list of jobs - managed to get all the outside painting and touch up finished of the Toplac (White) and Interdeck (Grey). In the morning I had walked through the old, overgrown and disused railway track out to the main road to visit the Industrial estate and the Hardware store for some disposable brushes and roller. Gorse was starting to grow between sleepers and I crossed over a small bridge with a torrent rushing from adjacent mud-flats joining the outgoing tide. It turned out a brilliantly sunny late-autumn day and made for a pleasant 50min return trip.
Big tides of around 3m mean strong currents in the estuary and even through the marina. Last night strong winds kept us rock and rolling - hope all the ropes stay strong!
Forecast today for Cape Brett was for 40 gusting 50 knots with very rough seas - good day to be in the marina. Did a load of washing this morning after breakfast at the cafe then arranged for the marine engineers to come down first thing Wed. to check the engine alignment now that the engine and drive-train has had a run. It does look like the resonant vibration is traceable to the hollow stainless rudder, which is no big deal. The engine itself and prop feel pretty smooth.
Hoping to get away sometime tomorrow for an overnight somewhere in the Bay - will see how the weather plays out but they are predicting conditions to ease through the rest of the week.
Am going to try one of my freeze-dried meals tonight and see what they are like...
I have enjoyed the quiet space of the last few days and have even slept well in my forward berth, waking with the dawn's light through the hatch... might have to set the alarm tomorrow to make sure I'm up when Will, my friendly marine mechanic, arrives about 8 am!
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