Warm Rain Ship's Log

Auckland

We're in Auckland, the city of sails, tied up in a slip at Pier 21, which is right in the heart of the city. We're looking forward to seeing the sights!

Chock-A-Block

We're in Islington Bay on Rangitoto Island, about 9 miles from Auckland. Because of its proximity to Auckland it's a very popular anchorage and this weekend is no exception. It's a three-day holiday weekend for the Queen's birthday or some such thing and the boaties are out in force. The gale force winds from earlier this week have abated and everyone is out boating. We spent hours yesterday watching what we call "Bay TV". That's what we call it when we sit in the cockpit and watch boats come into the bay and anchor. I don't think there's a square foot of mud & sand under the water that's not plowed by an anchor. The anchorage is chock-a-block. There are well over 100 boats in the bay and they just keep coming.

Islington Bay

After a rolly morning in Oneroa Bay with 2 foot wind waves on top of 3 foot ocean swells, we moved to Islington Bay on Rangitoto Island. There have been low pressure systems every day and the wind forecasts change by each morning and evening, what great fun ;)

The Great Escape

After 11 days and 2 gales we finally escaped the Coromandel Penninsula and are anchored in Putuki Bay on Waiheke Island, about 13 miles from Auckland. Today we will dink in and go for a long walk which will feel good after being boat bound for so many days. We will hang in the Waiheke Island area for a while before heading to Auckland.

Thar She Blows

It's crazy here. As a result of a tropical cyclone traveling too far south we've had wild winds the last couple days. Yesterday it blew 30-35+ knots most of the day and it's forecast to get even windier today, 45-50knots dying out this evening. We're fine - tucked into Te Kouma Harbour but we don't get too much sleep when it's this windy. We're up & down during the night checking to make sure the anchor hasn't dragged, etc. We'll be glad when things have calmed down.

Hike to Te Kouma Head

Te Kouma Harbour is beautiful but after a couple days stuck on the boat due to bad weather we were ready for a hike, so we landed on the small beach and made our way up the hillside (through a cow pasture) to Te Kouma Head. From the top we had fantastic views of the Hauraki Gulf, islands and the mainland. Most importantly, we also had cell phone reception! In the harbour we're surrounded by hills and our reception was nil, but once on top of the hill we were, as our friend Beth says, golden. We checked messages and made phone calls while swatting flies and enjoying the view. Nature & technology at its finest.

Gale Force Winds in Te Kouma Harbour

It's been wet and wild here the past couple days - the result of a tropical cyclone that's made its way west of New Zealand. Yesterday we had winds in the 20+ knot range during the day and the rain began mid-afternoon. The evening/night was sleepless as the wind was gusting 35+ knots in our anchorage and it was pouring buckets. Needless to say we didn't get much sleep until the wind subsided around 4am. Today the wind switched directions so we sought shelter on the other side of the bay where it's nice & calm, even though it's blowing 25+ knots out in the bay. Once the weather settles down we're hoping for some time ashore - fingers crossed.

Coromandel Peninsula

We are in a lovely bay called Te Kouma on the Coromandel Peninsula. The beaches are great and the walks over the rolling green hills are very welcome. In the morning we hear the cows bleating/mooing and see a great multitude of wild turkeys (animals not people) in the afternoon and evening. It is a slice of heaven here. On our last day on Great Barrier Island we hiked along Bridal Track and Warrens Track to a waterfall. A nice last day event but we are both very sore today due to the hilly ups and downs. Today we are tucked up into a little bay well protected from the gale force winds that will be here in a few hours.

Smokehouse Bay

We're enjoying our stay at Great Barrier Island. We're currently anchored behind two beautiful rocks/islets in Kiwiriki Bay. Yesterday we took a dinghy ride across the harbor to Smokehouse Bay. Onshore locals have set up a cool camp for yachties. There's a smokehouse where you can smoke your freshly caught fish, and a bath house - a small shack with a bathtub and hot water heater inside. The bath water is heated by a wood burning stove just outside of the shack. Across from the shack there are several large wash basins with fresh running water, clothes ringers and three clothes lines - the perfect place to do laundry. It's a very cool place - I'll post pictures next time we have an internet connection.

Rip Van Wanker

By in large the boating community here in New Zealand is considerate especially the yachties(sailboats). The power launches on the other hand think nothing of anchoring directly in front of you, backing up to within 20 feet and starting their diesel gen sets. Imagine my surprise when a yachtie dropped his anchor in front of me. I asked him to move over so he did not pick up my anchor while dragging his. He then told me he was just fine and had been around a lot longer than me and to go back to bed. I have found out from similar incidents there is no use arguing at that point but I was pissed. Today Dawn & I were trying to think of a name for this character because he still is around the Great Barrier Island area. We wondered how to combine "Older than you" with being a "Boating A-Hole" and we both hit on the perfect name at the same time. He shall be known from now on as "Rip Van Wanker" In New Zealand, Wanker is a popular term for what we would refer to back home as a CBA "Certified Boating A-Hole". Can you tell I have too much time on my hands?