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!

Delightful coastal walk - Deja vu!

Sunday 28th

A morning of showers morphed into a pleasant Sunday afternoon, ideal for a coastal ramble... so I did!

On the way I noticed a yacht's sail that looked vaguely familiar.  Turned out to be Seventh Heaven docking at the OCC pier - Bill and Robyn Woodward's old Lotus 30 on which I have spent many a pleasant hour with family and mates.   I think one of my last sailing expeditions with Bru was up to Kawau on SH - where we got stuck for three days in a Storm! 

Gary and Lesley, recently returned after 20 yrs in UK, sailed her up from Auckland. They now run the local Caravan and Holiday Park.  

SH looked a little tired but eminently recognisable... ahhh the memories!

A day trip, a night trip...

Thursday 25th June

Motored off 1300 hrs with the brisk southerly continuing to reliably blow with its icy fingers, I unfurled the Genoa and headed down the estuary.  An hour or three later I dropped anchor in Waiwhapuku(Army) bay for some late lunch.  Rowed Karuna ashore and explored the old Pa with the foundations of its WW2 battery remnants still largely intact. I rowed through the gap in the small island at the north end of the bay and then across the channel to the private beach complete with jetty and accoutrements.  

An infestation of on-board wasps failed to dissipate, so reluctantly I weighed anchor around 1630 hrs and motored south to Parorenui Bay, a charming cove with green grassy mown patches amongst the native bush.  No-one else around and a quiet peaceful night was had.

Parorenui Bay at low tide looking North

Friday 26th June

Rowed ashore and explored what looked like developed parkland complete with well-made sealed road and drainage.  Turns out that there are over 300 acres and 5kms of coastline that make up the Omarino development (http://www.omarino.co.nz/).  Delve a little deeper and the extent of this development becomes apparent.(see http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10701226 ) 

A walk around some of the serpentine road revealed spectacular views and magnificent building sites... it turns out I may be several million shy of the cheapest block!

 Some more perspectives...

North East

NorthWest

 I wandered up a grassy ridge track to discover this memorial seat with an intriguing plaque...

It turns out that one of the original partners in this development, John Wrightson, had died five years ago before his dream came to fruition... on the plaque are the words:

 "Any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for"




I suspect that there might have been a few battles fought getting resource consent and planning permission for this baby!

Some of the blocks/sections are close to 20 acres with beach access and riparian rights...

On the Waipiro bay side are an architecturally designed caretakers residence to die for and numerous workshops and large maintenance sheds... wondering if they are hiring maintenance staff? 

Spectacular!

Spent the latter part of the afternoon finishing the original turbo oars with the red kangaroo hide, which turned out to be a little softer and trickier to stretch than the deerskin on the spooned oars.  Still, happy enough with the result.  Nice soft rowing action in the Gaco oarlocks, though the nearly 5m stroke width needs some ample manoeuvring room!  The spooned oars are really nice to row with too - and only need 4m space!

Re-heated the chicken curry from last night - I declare it improved with age...

Settled down for the night sheltered from a dying SW.  Wind was predicted to remain SW to W through the night.  Several yachts which had arrived late afternoon (early Friday finish the week?) anchored in the lee of the western end of the bay.  

Around 2 am I was still awake listening to the wind picking up and thinking, there's a little north in that westerly and I'm on what was now a lee-shore in less than 2m of water as we had swung around to face NW and the 8-10kts of breeze.  Unable to sleep I decided to up anchor and seek a more sheltered spot.  Unfortunately by now the moon had set as well and it was quite dark, too dark to safely find another anchorage (Pipi bay came to mind).

So, with several GPS systems firing I just kept on going thinking:  I know my marina berth is a safe place, it's a nice evening for a cruise and the motor needs a good run.  I'd planned to head back Sat morning anyway, just not quite this early!

Less than two hours later and I was off Russell navigating by GPS, leading lights and channel markers. I got a real fright a few minutes later while looking for #4 channel markers when a dark unlit starboard pole flashed by less 5m away.  I'd seen the red port light and the green starboard pole's light was not working!  Visions of collisions at around 6 kts flashed through the mind and I shuddered to think about it.  Of course I was fully alert now (or as much as one can be at 1400hrs) as I sought out the remaining markers amidst the clutter of shore lights.

Gratefully sliding into the dock 20mins later I tied up and tumbled into the sack... an eventful day!

Saturday 28th

Slept in... 'nough said.

Spent the day pottering around, finished fixing the latches on the cupboards to save the contents spreading throughout the cabin when the heel is happening...

 Strangely enough I was a little tired, even had a nanny nap in the afternoon.  Big night ahead as the Super15 Rugby semifinals were due to begin that night at 1945hrs.

Cooked up a big (3-nighter)pot of chili and then off to the Club where a handful of enthusiasts cheered on first the 'Canes and then the Highlanders who, bless their cotton socks, overcame the initially overconfident and then despairing Waratahs... all in all a good night.  Pity I won't still be here for the all NZ final next Saturday.

Sunday 28th

This morning I was reading a Messianic Psalm (110),as is my custom, and having my own Sunday reflections (...While thinking about it's relevance for next Sunday's sermon - there's nearly always next Sunday looming!)

V 3 has a magnificent phrase that resonated with me as I rowed smoothly (for an old fella!) across the estuary in the stillness and beauty of the morning:

...in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning,
    the dew of your youth will be yours.

I'm not sure how holy my old Merino clobber and ancient running jacket was, but I claimed the promise of the dew of youth to give me the strength for the day and the week ahead! 

Sometimes I feel more like the ancient of days than a dewy faced youth.  I was reminded yesterday when I spoke with my good friend Ian, whose Dad had just died aged well into his 90's, how much of ageing is attitude dependent.  I can remember my Dad musing somewhat non-plussed when in his early 80's - "Sometimes I don't feel any different than when I was a young man - where did the years go?"  

I look in the mirror and wonder too...

Now if I could just master getting out of the dinghy on to the dock with dignity... 

Cycled, Coffeed and Cruised... albeit briefly!

The day started early, at least I presume it did as I slept in!

I became vaguely aware of the strengthening southerly around 8'ish and sallied forth to partake of a light repast as befitting my station as Captain of All I Survey...

In mitigation of my later rising, I might add that I'd spent 'till late last night composing and editing my submission to Lloyds of London in order to have a crack at clawing back from insurance some of the cost of recent and unanticipated engine repairs... we shall see how they respond.

Beautiful day here in the winterless north, cloudless skies and a bracing southerly breeze gently howling through the rigging... aah love the slower pace and unpopulated perspective granted to those bold enough to embark on a 'Winter Retreat!'


So, off to rouse Victor Vitus from his slumber, a quick burst of air into his robust knobbly wheels and we were off.  It turns out that John Keys (PM) has come good and gifted several mill into the completion of the combined cycle/rail trail.  Last time I was here it looked like the railwaymen were going to win the battle and run the train only into Opua.  However people power has been proven efficacious - the cycle trail has been so popular that they are going to fund both alongside one another.  An excellent solution.

Meanwhile Victor was quietly winging his inimitable way along the new and improved compacted gravel trail... 

It's like riding through a slice of early European history as the trail follows the rail track that led from the Port of Opua through to Kawakawa and then onto the rest of Northland more than a century ago.  You begin alongside the 'hardstand' of the local boat builders and painters then across several bridges and beside mangroves it gently climbs before disappearing into the tunnel lined by several hundred thousand hand made bricks...

I paused to give Victor a rest beside the estuary, which is still navigable for some miles right up to Kawakawa.  In fact there was a large wharf and loading dock not far from where the train currently stops, about 7kms from Opua.

It's a great track and there are plans underway to connect it all the way to the West coast 90km away...

Back to Di's for a large flat white and then on to Kalai as my plans were to head off after lunch with the ebbing tide and a brisk southerly up my date...

Packed up and disconnected the shore power and then hooked Karuna onto the stern and backed determinedly into wind and tide and set off, past Gannett swinging happily on the mooring... all looked good!

A bit of steam along with water flow from exhaust gave me pause and sure enough ten minutes out the estuary the engine overheating alarm sounded as I raised the revs... Grrrrrrrrr.... 

I was NOT HAPPY!

Turned off the motor, checked filter and looked OK.  So, with just head sail deployed tacked back and forth with little gain for half an hour into the southerly and outgoing tide.  Re-started the engine and gingerly motored upstream at 2.7 kts.  Still steam coming out exhaust along with a reduced water flow.  Lo and behold who should appear but Barry The Mechanic who had done most of the engine work right off my stern in the JB Marine work boat and reckoned something 'wasn't right' - no kidding!

Managed to dock on my own with both wind and tide threatening to push me over into the berth opposite - at least reverse was still working well!  Shut down and waited for Barry with a strong cup of calming tea.

The ever-laconic Barry rocks up and we set about diagnosing the latest episode with the ever recalcitrant diesel.  

Barry reckoned the internals were fine - had to be, he said!  Immediately he saw that there was reduced flow into the filter.  We bravely undid the hose on the intake valve (thus opening up a decent size hole in the bottom of the hull... hardly a trickle emerged from the 19mm water intake. Really???

A long rat tail file eventually did the trick dislodging the little sea-creatures who had burrowed their way into the opening.  Turns out its an endemic problem in the oyster rich environment of the marina.  Oyster spelt has been wreaking havoc across the fleet!

Engine re-start produced a little diesel smoke (injectors not quite in sync) but no steam!  

Hallelujah! I might get to go sailing this week after all, after having visions of another week in dock with more engine repairs...

Slept, Relaxed, Shopped, Rowed

Monday 22nd

Ahh the Red-eye into Auckland...  I'd 'forgotten' the toll it takes on the body!

The flight out of Melbourne left early(!) and was smooth all the way to a damp, cool Auckland pre-dawn welcome.

Luggage collected and customs cleared by 0540 I was on the shuttle with both the other passengers and alighting in the city by a tick after 6 am.  I ended up buying some 'wheels' on the way over to transport my awkwardly long 1200mm 12 kg bag containing my new oars and a couple of gadgets (well, wouldn't be the same without a gadget or two!).

Dozed off and on on the 4 hr bus trip north, including the obligatory cup-of-tea break at Kaiwaka.  Chatted to our new bus driver, a pleasant Maori bloke from up north here who had also lived in Perth and Mooloolaba.  I must admit I don't remember much of the rest of the drive until Kawakawa - and then it's 10 mins to the top of Opua Hill.

The wheels worked well going down the 1km hill into Opua.  Kalai looked in good shape, with very little winter mould evident and everything ship-shape.  Engine started first kick and sounds good.  Batteries were fully charged, so smaller solar panel adequate even in the winter.

Picked up the E-box electrical connection which had been checked from the Marina office so I could run the heater... which was a good idea as a cold strong southerly was predicted to stay with us all week.  No rain but the odd light shower.

Unpacked my gear, made up the forward bed and was relaxing into the night when the power went off... 7 C with no heater and the prospect of a cold night was fortuitously avoided when power was restored 15 mins later.  Still, an early night was on the cards - so it was to be.

Tuesday 23rd

Slept in and showered, shaved and shampooed my way back to feeling a little more human.

Barry and Ruby rolled up in time for morning coffee at the Delightful Dianne's Cafe - with scones and muffins to boot!

Off to Paihia to stock up on supplies including LPG.  The Countdown food store has just re-opened last week (timing is everything!) and I reckon I saved $20-30 from what it would have cost at the locally convenient but expensive General Store.  Still, enough food for the rest of my stay was acquired in one hit.  If this cold blast continues I may be able to turn the fridge off and just stack stuff in the cockpit (which this morning was a balmy 4 deg)

Spent part of the afternoon working with Bill at the Marine Insurance shop looking at what was needed to file a claim for our unexpected engine repairs.  Have written a statement tonight and the local engine repairers is also writing a letter of support, so you never know...

Fitted the new 'spooned' oars late afternoon and went for a spin around the Marina - they work almost as good as they look! Very pleased.

Watched the sun set all rugged up in the cockpit with a glass and some cheese and crackers before the southerly sent me indoors.  The two Maori blokes with their mates who were in wetsuits chipping off oysters (illegally) from the docks had my sympathy but not my envy.  It seems no matter how often the Marina tries to deter them, the locals still seem intent on harvesting their 'catch' despite the likely very high levels of toxins from several hundred anti-fouled vessels, let alone the signage that forbids such activity... 

Mid-winter retreat days...

Heading off across the deetch tonight on the red-eye into Auckland for a few days of R & R... coincidentally the weather has shown a remarkable turn for the better with fine days predicted for the next week or so, albeit with strong and likely cold SW winds - no doubt the heater on board will get some use!

Taking the new oars with me which I have been carefully crafting over the past few weeks.  A 10kg 1100mm long bag and my backpack with a few other essentials should suffice.  Looking forward to some clear skies and cool, crisp days amongst the islands.

A pod of dolphins surfaced alongside us on Friday while Bob, Terry and I were on our regular 'sticks and tricks' paddle - a great send off and I reckon I'll have a chance to pass on their greetings to some kiwi cuzzies before too long!

Mid-winter swim in Ngunguru for the Winter solstice this weekend reminded me of the skinny dippers we happened upon at the lunchstop on our paddle - they didn't appear to get very far out into the bay...  

Ice on the windscreen this morning and 0.4 degC in the car on the way to church...

From time to time I check in with my fellow kayakers like Wolfgang Brink who writes about trying to keep short supply chains by using less technology and the use of hand tools where possible (Skinboat Journal: Why I stay away from High Tech)

Couldn't agree more - have loved the free shaping of the new spooned oars and helping BJ skin his new 'Cape Patterson Wanderer' yesterday - his own design with some intriguing lines.  Just hope that Bob and I will be able to fit ourselves into its sleek form!!!  Has some nice lines with plenty of depth and rocker.  Should be a beauty.

Where the road runs out... be the Dolphin Christ

Back in the land of Oz last night - and back to work/reality today.  All through the past few days since my Dolphin encounter on Saturday, I've had the words of this song running through my head... and I found it this afternoon, on Jason Garoncy's Blog:

http://jasongoroncy.com/2010/02/19/be-the-sailors-friend-be-the-dolphin-christ/

I can remember singing this in Aotearoa at a Baptist Assembly in Dunedin... beautiful song.

Where the road runs out by Colin Gibson

Where the road runs out and the signposts end,
where we come to the edge of today,
be the God of Abraham for us;
send us out upon our way.

Lord, you were our beginning,
the faith that gave us birth.
We look to you, our ending,
our hope for heaven and earth.

When the coast is left and we journey on
to the rim of the sky and the sea,
be the sailor’s friend, be the dolphin Christ;
lead us on to eternity.

When the clouds are low and the wind is strong,
when tomorrow’s storm draws near,
be the spirit bird hov’ring overhead
who will take away our fear.

Jason's front page also had this challenging artwork depicting the Last Supper  by Raoef Mamedov... I find it equally captivating and challenging.Raoef Mamedov's 'The Last Supper.' 

Our youngest son, Jonathan, was welcomed into membership at Mitcham Baptist last Sunday - a proud day for us as he continues his journey of discipleship.  We have never seen him as 'suffering' from Down's Syndrom and celebrate with him his many abilities.  He is and continues to be much more than 'a person with a disability.'  He is Jonathan - literally 'beloved of God.'

One commentator has written of Mamedov's work of art:

Sure, many people have interpreted this iconic image, but none made quite like this. Using models with Down's Syndrome, Raoef Mamedov forces us to question what our ideas of 'normal' are and whether to perceive people with the condition as 'sufferers.