Bay of Islands Marina, Opua, North Island
Friday 2 July 2021
The south east wind kept up through the night, with showers coming and going – adding to the snug feeling and overall warmness within.
The seas, in the confines of this small harbour, were flat, which was fortunate, because normally you wouldn’t choose an anchorage like this, where the wind is blowing ON shore. Given the choice, you would tend to select an anchorage where the wind is blowing OFF shore – mainly for safety and also because the seas there are generally flatter.
But we were well dug in to sand, the water was only about 3-5 metres deep, and again, the sea was flat. Consequently, we enjoyed a still night, with everyone making the most of it to get a good night’s rest.
Life aboard began to stir around 7:30 with the unmistakeable sounds of John putting the kettle on echoing through the hull. I was soon out turning on the generator to keep the batteries topped up – and the water heated – with young Thybauld clambering down out of his workshop bunk, quietly in search of dad-Dominic … whom he quickly found in the temporary saloon “cabin”.
Breakfast complete, we ventured ashore in the dinghy, where we explored the central part of the island, climbing to the top of a grass and bush covered hill, on which once stood a Maori defensive fort, or Hippa.
In fact, back in 1769 – 4th of December no less – Captain Cook dropped anchor nearby (just around headland, which is named Cooks Cove on my chart – seems logical) and explored the region. The onboard illustrator and artist Sydney Parkinson, actually made a drawing of the Maori fort, located on this very spot. Learn more about the place HERE
The showers persisted off and on, but never for very long, with the sun creating a procession of rainbows throughout the day.
By around 2:30 we were tied up once more in the marina with life being focused once more ashore. Everyone had a great time and pretty soon, it was back to John, Linda and me, figuring out what to prepare for dinner.
Tomorrow we will be joined by more of John’s immediate family, this time for a day trip … there and back again!
Smooth seas, fair breeze and rainbow land
Rob Latimer
Captain Cook’s Journal – At Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand
Gentle breezes at North-West, West-North-West, and West; very fair weather. P.M., Mr. Banks, Dr. Solander, and myself landed upon one of the Islands* (* Probably Motu-Rua) on the North side of the one the Ship lays under. This Island is about 3 Miles in Circuit, and hath upon it 40 or 50 Acres of Land cultivated and planted with roots; here are likewise several small streams of Excellent water. This Island, as well as most others in this Bay, seem to be well inhabited. At 4 a.m. sent the Long boat to the above Island for water and some hands to cut Grass, and at 9, I went with the Pinnace and Yawl over upon the Main, accompanied by Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander. In our way we passed by a point of land on which stood a Hippa or Fortified Village, the inhabitants of which waved us to come ashore, and accordingly we landed, which we had no sooner done than the People came about us with Quantitys of various sorts of fish, which we purchased of them for meer Trifles. After this they shew’d us the Village, which was a neat Compact place, and its situation well Choose. There were 2 or 3 more near unto this, but these we did not go to.
More from Cook’s Journal, 5th December 1769 HERE
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