A rainbow beginning... a stunning end

Mon 29th June - Wed 1st July











Monday morning was up early and underway after breakfast.  A few showers ensured a rainbowed departure through the channel and the promise was for a mainly fine few days. 

You certainly have to keep your eyes open in the channel - this large log was cruising out to sea off Tapeka point - might have done some damage to a fast launch...

A building 10-15kt SW meant that a marvellous sail was in store.  So it was that with just two broad reaches I arrived off Oke Bay early afternoon.  The last leg I was making between 6.5 and 7.5 knots in about 12-15kts.  Great stuff!  The clean I gave the bottom must have got rid of most of the 'slow-me-downs' and 'hangers-on'

I can't remember the last time I actually stopped in Oke Bay.  Lovely spot and certainly sheltered from the SW, but as I found at later, "...can be subject to any northerly swell'  - Rock and Roll most of the night!

Went for a walk over the hill towards Rawhiti - really just a few baches and not many people around.

Oke bay has a lovely beach with some fine scallop shells to be had, but from now on it will be just a 'Day Bay'




Tuesday 30th June

Up the next morning and motored 20 mins around to one of my favourite spots - Urupukapuka bay.  No one else around and snuck up into the W corner in still conditions. 

 
Walked up to the lookout and was befriended by some of the local fantails - the Pukekos were a little more reticent!

Run away!!!

Spectacular views!

 

Some NZ Icons: 

Cabbage Trees (ti kouka) which once were dying of disease across the country and are now flourishing again - can live for several hundred years!)

Blue skies, batten fences and Kikuya grass...

The very pretty Kanuka flower:













Rowed around to the next bay - I think I like both sets of oars equally.  The 'Turbos' are definitely faster (3kts) while the 'Spooners' are smooth as silk and not much slower (2.5 kts).  Some great little coves and rock pools for Samuel to explore, I reckon.


Back on board and the breeze had picked up again 10-15kts SW (did I mention ideal sailing conditions!) and was too good to miss.  Raised the main and sailed off the anchor and out towards Omakiwi cove.  Gradually increased the head sail to 80% which was about right for the wind strength.  A little reduction on the Genoa really takes pressure off the helm and is relaxed enough to let Bru steer easily in 15-20 kts close hauled

Took some video http://youtu.be/9s6FX4XRURc

Out into the Bay and then the wind kept shifting more southerly and was able to lay Kerikeri and around into TePuna inlet.  The wind continued to sift and I was able to continue through to the mouth of Crowles Bay.  I was interested to try this place out as it has a good reputation of being a safe harbour in most winds in anything out of the W-S-E.  Anchored up in the east arm and sure enough, the wind dropped and it was still and calm all night.

Rowed around the bay the next morning - what a great place.  Reckon it might be a good overnight spot for the future.  Only 2 hrs sailing from the northern end of the islands and other side of the inlet is sheltered from northerlies (I checked the next morning). Perfect.



Wed 1st July (Birthdays month for all the girls!)

Lazy morning - rowed across to the Western arm and chatted to a Stinkpot skipper about the area.  He reckons its a great spot.

Weighed anchor and motored across to the northern side to check anchoring locations at low tide.  Looks good right in close at Oneroa bay.

Tacked out of Te Puna (passing a nice looking green-hulled H28 which was trying to headsail too close to the western shore and not going anywhere fast! I noticed he eventually  gave up, dropped the sail and motored...)

Meanwhile Kalai was in the middle of the inlet slipping along at 3-4 kts. Wind was a bit fluky 4-8 kts but began to strengthen and steady out of SW has I headed towards Kent Passage. 

Bru was on the helm after that as we smoked along in a steady 8-10kts making 5.5-6kts close hauled.  Kalai seems to relish these conditions with her increased sail area (now around 550 sq ft with Genoa and main).  Bru was steering well and I was able to observe the learning effect from the auto helm as it followed the windshifts.  As the wind eased and backed, the course steered was around 130 deg, then as the wind strengthened, Bru the autopilot followed the shift and headed up to around145 deg.  Very clever.

I took some more Video of the perfect afternoon sailing conditions - the tide was with us too as we managed to lay the point off Russell and sneak up the coastline.  A few more tacks and the wind was gradually lightening, dying completely as I ghosted past the vehicular ferry ramp.  A short run with the engine and a soft landing into E63.  

A magic few days of Winter Sailing - altogether sailed on 7 days out of 12.  

Not bad!