Good to be back on dock to clean up and catch up with a few jobs... cleaned up a few more things and added them to the 'Land-based Residential Address' aka Storage Locker B6.
Into Paihia and a lovely Indian Curry and even time to open an account at the Paihia BNZ - still was in the system after 20 years - will help access funds here in Opua at the ATM.
Into KeriKeri and New World to replenish supplies.
Still waiting for the Golden Pole to be delivered and eventually Hirondelle II nicked off and headed to Paroa Bay in a strong southerly (which I might add was to become a constant theme)
No joy from the rigger so I too left the dock late afternoon and head-sailed down around Tapeka Pt and motor-sailed into Paroa just on dark...
Wed Sep 7th
Strong winds continued and we hunkered down for the day... a little reading, a little relaxing etc. etc.
A lovely settled spot tucked in to the southern most corner of Paroa Bay. Just the right spot to escape the SW prevailing - right near a gorgeous red-roofed cottage, complete with boat-house!Cabin fever got to Fenton and we agreed to head off in the morning...
Thursday Sep 8th
Winds predicted to be 20-25 kts early, rising to 40 kts so we headed out with some alacrity with the aim of TePuna inlet - a great spot to shelter from strong winds...
As soon as we nosed outside the bay at 0730 hrs we could see whitecaps to the north and I decided discretion was the better part and rounded up to put a couple of reefs in the main...
Which proved prudent as I watched Hirondelle repeated rounding up in the gusts coming around Tapeka. As we approached the point we both eased sheets and shot across on a broad reach toward Black Rocks, looking for an easier passage toward Kerikeri inlet. Reefed sails and 7-8 kts all the way with Kalai managing the conditions well. Harndening up very close to the rocks we could see a wild stretch of water ahead as we tightened sheets and tacked our way up the harbour. By now it was 30-35 kts gusting 40 and first Hirindelle and then Kalai 'bailed' and cranked up the engine into the teeth of the gale. Even shortening the tow-line didn't prevent the inflatable from flipping 360 deg a couple of times as we bludgeoned our way up harbour and north into TePuna.
The crater proved untenable and we agreed to try Cowles Bay - a good choice as we tucked into the lee of the bay. Still some bullets over the hills but a safe anchorage and good holding. A quiet night...with some medicinal G&T applied internally! A necessary ablative to the rapid temperature drop late afternoon from 15 to 8 deg!
Butting into sharp chop and strong headwind at 5.5 kts the new engine performed impecably..
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| Early morning and motoring home into 25 kts of cold southerly |
The wind stayed constant and southerly all the way back...holding back a tide that was supposed to have turned an hour and half before meant that the entry into the dock was tricky indeed, especially for the solo sailor. With too much way on reverse was called for in a hurry as the 25+ kts ensured that I was grateful for the bumper bar to help stop momentum on the pier as the bow slid up and then slowly back to a halt... meanwhile the stern waltzed left and I disappeared over the bow to try and reign in the wayward antics...
Nice to be back safely was an understatement indeed!
Friday 9th - Saturday 10th
News from Hirondelle as they too head for home - meanwhile a hot shower and nice Marina Cafe coffee restored order - as they say here it is: "Cold as!" with snow down south and wild weather across the country.
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