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!!!)
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