Sailing, Steaming, Sitting...

I'm sitting here waiting for James the mechanic to turn up after a week which has included sublime weather, superb sailing and way too much steam!

Jan and Graham left yesterday to fly back home to UK after a marvellous week enjoying the summer weather and warm seas of the BoI.  It has been fantastic to spend time with them and share some experiences which will be long remembered, including:

• being followed for half an hour by a dozen pairs of large, sleek and captivating dolphins, diving under the bow and breaching close at hand
• walking over the hill at Moturua island through native bush alive with Tuis, wax-eyes and finches
• swimming off the boat and into shore in crystal clear waters (22 deg) in Waipoa Bay
• dining at 'Sally's' in Russell eating scallops and fresh snapper
• drinks and wedges on the deck of the Opua Cruising Club watching the sun set up the estuary
• Sailing right up the estuary with the Gennaker set in a gentle evening breeze
• good coffee daily at the marina cafe
• lots of telling stories and dreaming about buying beach houses in divine locations...

Some of the frustration has been an over-heating diesel engine which looks like has a number of possible causes.  So far we have re-built the leaking water pump, replacing bearings, seals and impeller; dived underneath to check the intake was clear, removed the 'stuck' thermostat and cleaned the gunk from the water filter, cleared some calcification from intake engine tubes... went for another short run - but still heat sensor sounds and steam instead of liquid accompanies exhaust smoke... So, it looks like there may be another blockage somewhere in the system and James will pay another visit after lunch.  ...Ahh the joys of boating!  I think I shall make a strong coffee to settle the nerves!

Sir Graham at the helm off Roberton Island

Dreaming of the next visit!

Two of my very favourite 'girls' enjoying the ride

Beautiful Waipoa Bay, Moturua

Beautiful one day... gorgeous the next!

After an uneventful flight and a predictably slow trip north in the rental Mazda 2 (3 adults and luggage - no problem!) we enjoyed a catch up with Barrington and Ruby overnight before heading north this morning.

It did seem that the rest of Northland was heading south and we found Opua relatively uncrowded for a holiday weekend.

Met up with sister Jan and Graham as they were walking toward the pier and it was a delight to see Jan looking so well after her surgeries etc.  Unloaded the Mighty Midget Mazda and walked out E Pier on a cloudy but warm late morning.  Kalai looked trim, if a little scrubby under the waterline - in need of a rub-down fairly soon with a layer of slime coating aided by the rich and effluent-laden upper reaches of the estuary...

Undeterred we had a quick cuppa and then got under way to try and catch a view of the "Tall Ships race". Motored out to Tapeka point into a light sea breeze we set the sails and headed across to Roberton Island where some delicious sour dough cob was piled with fresh salad ingredients for a late lunch.  

The skipper was the only brave soul willing to go swimming in the temperate 21 deg waters of the Bay while the crew was distracted by a pod of dolphins playing and breaching a few metres astern, followed by a small flotilla of admirers!

Meanwhile, the tall ships plied their course and duly headed home to Russell, as did we in a dying sea breeze which we carried with 'herbie' employed up as far as Paihia.

A quick tidy up and then off to the OCC for a drink and dinner rounded off a fine first day in the BoI.

The forecast for the next four days is for brilliant sailing weather... fine with 10kt sea breezes!  Half your luck, I reckon!  (I hear it is pouring on Melbourne!!!)