Ahh.. the red-eye from Oz doesn't get any more romantic as the years go by! School of Ministry the past two days with Dr Paul Fiddes from Brexit-Land and then giving a presentation last night meant I was pretty tired and looking forward to a few days in the promised land.At least I managed to snag an exit-row seat with plenty of leg-room. Still, sleep is an over-rated expectation for us late-night travellers on Jet-Connect. An enthusiastic tail-wind saw us landing in a wet, dark Auckland morning at 0440 local time (0240 body time). First time I've ever cleared customs being the only person in the queue!
An early morning strong flat white at 0510 from the coffee cart and then the shuttle into the city to meet little-bro Roger Dodger for breakfast at the Ferry building. Good to catch up and share some yarns of life and managing the inexorable ageing process... He and Ryoko are off to Japan again in August for a month...
On the Naked Bus at 0730 (run now by Mana) with only half a dozen passengers and a quiet run north in steady rain. The lady bus driver turns around at Paihia after a 30 min break and drives back to Auckland - long day I reckon! Opua hill by 1115 and a quiet walk downhill with new 'brolly and 22 kg bag saw me on the boat by 1145. Kalai looked pretty good, little bit of mould and growth on the hull but not too bad.
Unpacked, laid in a few supplies from the General Store then showered and crashed into bed around 2015 - to sleep for 11 hours straight!
Thur 30th June 2016
Awoke to the not-so-gentle sound of the barge 100m away driving 40ft tanalised piles into the mud for the Marina extension to the south. Work is progressing well on the additional 175 berths due to be completed within 12 months. Should provide some extra protection for us from both tide-flow and southerly wind.
Feeling a little more human this morning and after some wonderful NZ honey and toast ventured forth to check arrangements were in place for the haul-out tomorrow (Fri).
Glued up carpet, fitted mat and general tidying up.
A couple of packages at the Marina had arrived with some more winter-warm gear and were most welcome. A showery, cool day with a southerly arriving and promising a low of 3 deg tomorrow night. Forecast for fine weather the next couple of days should help us get the work done we have planned. Brian arrives in the morning and we lift out at 1030.
Meanwhile, met some new neighbours three doors down on a Farr 9.2. Just arrived up from Wellington were Greg and Judy, ex-Brits and escapees from Windy Wellington to the Winter-less North! So, brewed some very fine Ethiopian coffee and had a yarn for an hour or so. They've bought a house in Paihia and are keen to join our newly formed 'Ex-pats Cruising Race Division' - a highly sought out and closely monitored group only open to Yachts under 9.5m crewed by Old-Farts. Watch out Fenton, Judy was the women's race champion in Wellington!
Night-night!
