Sailed, shopped and re-connected

Up early this morning I saw young James the Marine Mechanic outside his new business "JB Marine" which he recently took over.  They did the bulk of the work on Kalai the past couple of times.  James just got married so we had a yarn for a while and then I wandered down to the General Store to get some breakfast, lunch and dinner supplies.  

Unfortunately the Tall ships left yesterday for Auckland, was disappointed not to have have seen the seven sailing vessels which had raced here from Sydney last week. Several were here in Opua n Sunday for people to have a look through...

Back to the Dianes's cafe for a delicious strong flat white - she showed  me the beans they use from an Auckland company "Roasted expresso" which had won some awards - sure tasted good!  Over to Cater Marine for a couple of bits for the hose so I can fill the water tanks on my own.  Filled tanks and then did a couple of the jobs I had planned, but it looks like some of the tasks need an extra pair of hands - might wait for Canny arriving later in the week.

Such a gorgeous day, my plans to just mooch around were abandoned and I quickly organised sheets and lines and cast off around 2pm - the new prop sure has a little more bite in reverse, but poor Kalai's bottom is a little cretinous with growth from sitting for a few months...

Turned on the Suunto to track progress and it seems pretty accurate.  The motor and prop sound a lot better now and we were making over 6 kts at 2300rpm with a lot less vibration than before.

I thought I was seeing Barry's old boat, Masumi, coming toward me - close, but no cigar! Still, it was the same paint scheme on the old H28!











Brilliant day for the para-gliding company towing two, no doubt delighted, clients through the brilliant spring sunshine.

Lo and behold, one of the tall ships was still anchored off Russell - amazingly beautiful craft...

I was going to pull out the Genoa and head back... but it was such a beautiful sailing breeze I couldn't resist tacking over toward Paihia and then, what the heck, may as well put up the mainsail and managed a couple of beats back toward Tapeka Point before the wind dropped.  The tide was just starting to turn so I dropped the main and pottered along under headsail for half an hour with a light northerly breeze and making 1-2 kts. Put the Tiller Pilot on and relaxed on the stern seat with a cold one and some Kettle Chips... tough life!

All of a sudden the wind switched around to the south-west and kicked up to 15-20kts so was able to have a great beat straight up the estuary under just head-sail making 5-6 kts right thrugh to the marina.

Brilliant day-sail with a finely engineered chicken pasta dish for tea washed down with a Taylor's Shiraz.  Should sleep well tonight!