Robertson Island (Motuarohia Island), Bay of Islands Marina, North Island
Thursday 8 July 2021
It really was a comfortable anchorage last night. So comfortable in fact that by around 8:00am I was the only one awake and ready for action.
Being something of a morning routine, I turned on the generator around 7:00am, which is a reasonably quiet piece of equipment, but rather than indicate to the sleepyheads that it might be time to get up and face the day, I suspect its gentle puurrring might have lulled everyone back to slumber.
Everything pointed to a magical day afloat. The sky was clear, the seas were calm and the 15kt forecasted sou’wester was going to be a friend for most of our planned travels.
And the plan – at least in my mind – was to head off as early as possible, in a north east direction, to Cape Brett and the ‘famous’ hole in the rock … the authorised, official hole in the rock, not to be confused with all the others we’d seen along the way.
In the end it was Linda who was out of her cabin first helping on the wheel and in charge of the engine, as I attended to the anchor and chain up front.
It must have been the sound of the main engine, or maybe me hoisting the mainsail, or perhaps the movement of the boat gently gliding through the water, but pretty soon everyone made an appearance and were getting stuck into their chosen breakfast options. All the while, the morning sun blazed in our faces
Getting away from our anchorage reasonably early meant that by 10:00am we had covered the 8 miles to Cape Brett with plenty of time to soak up the rugged vibe of the place – in absolutely perfect conditions – and make it back to our chosen lunch spot in Oke Bay.
Oke Bay offered shelter from the south west breeze, plus a tropical-looking sea that bordered on turquois in colour. It’s here that some might have been tempted to go for a swim, but instead, Matt, Cathy, James, Eva and I explored ashore – discovering that on the other side of the ridge there were houses, and roads … and even a cemetery that would have to have the best views in the whole region!
Around mid-afternoon, after some sleeping and eating – and deciding that today was not the day to go for a swim – we up-anchored and headed around the point and past Hat Island again to find a suitable anchorage for the night.
Whilst the sea was generally flat, the wind had picked up, and so our choices were somewhat narrowed. However, we found a lovely spot in Urupukapuka Bay, surrounded by brilliant green grassy hills which actually had a fair number of sheep dotted here and there – but they seemed the only “Baas” we could find.
All seemed perfect, much like paradise … but as we discovered the other day, paradise does not have internet … and neither did this beautiful bay. I hate to say it, but the absence of internet and phone coverage has become a deal breaker, and so we up-anchored and began our search for an alternative anchorage.
As it turned out, the search was more difficult than we’d anticipated, with the anchor nearly dropped in two places and actually dropped in three – only to be retrieved again after it seemed impossible to conduct a simple web-search, or send an email.
The last move was the most difficult, because the sun had already gone down, light was fading, and our choices seemed to be closing. The solution seemed to be to head back to where we’d come the day before, to Robertson Island, where we knew coverage was good.
In the end it was dark by the time we dropped anchor, but as it’s turned out, this is a pretty good place to be.
James whipped up a lovely dinner tonight and after all our travels, plus lots of sea air, everyone was keen to retire to their bunks.
Smooth seas, fair breeze and in search of 4 bars
Rob Latimer
PS I’ll have to post the photos tomorrow. The internet coverage here is not as good as I’d hoped – at least not sufficient to upload photos
NZ2020 
We continue to be thrilled by your journeying and the Blog.
Are Cathy and Eva still shivering from their first swim?
Some of these places you mention we have been to (via land mostly) but still good to recall.
My recollection of the hole in the rock is that you would have to lower the mast if you were tempted to go through . . . . but perhaps you also don’t have enough power (or thrustors) on Chimere to try and go through!
We are also thrilled to be part of “your family” via the blog and appreciate the time you are having together.
STOP PRESS NEWS (IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T HEARD IT)
George Harvey has had a heart attached – but he’s OK.
He noticed the aches and breathlessness about Monday whilst he and Joy were walking the dog . He was puffed out and had to sit down. that’s not our normal George. He told us about it during Study Group on Tuesday evening . . . . but sometime later that even Joy called an Ambulance which took him to hospital and he was later transferred to Box Hill Hospital. He’s had a stent inserted and apparent he is getting on well and is likely to be home in another 4 days or so. We will try and go to see him tomorrow.
Today we attended the Memorial Service for Steve O’Flynn.
What a wonderful service of “seeing” Steve’s amazing life. He was a joker and LOVED traveling.
The family had put together snippets of traveling videos often with a joking comment. and also a Power Point of photos.
Andy topped it off with some wonderful words which wrapped it all up.
Continue to enjoy the travels and I’m looking forward to the “hole in the rock”.
Regard
Lyn
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Well, it is 10am, and I have just really loved enjoying your yesterday’s travels, HOW FANTASTIC, to see you all together enjoying, all that beautiful scenery, and in such a great private inviroment. I am glad you take such great pics to look back on.
I have Judy and Jess here, just overnight, they are still asleep, we went to Judy’s friend Cathy’s Mums funeral yesterday, and dinner at Peters last night. An old friend John Brisbane. from Heathmont church days came for dinner too, He lives in S.A.now and Peter was in his wedding party. John had rung me to see when he could catch up, I knew we were going to Pete’s so suggested John come there, and kept it a surprise, it was around 23yrs since seeing him, it was great. John & Wendys daughter is studying in Melb. I have not got much news, Jenn, Nick and kids are having a week at Porpunkah. Lots of love Carmel. It is amazing to be able to contact you this way, where you are.
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Great you have the link Carmel, and thanks for making contact!
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Hi Latimer family,
It’s so lovely to see you all there travelling together. What a special time for you all to share and enjoy! It’s very precious!!
I just love reading about where you are and what you’re doing and seeing – nothing like a bit of armchair travelling for me!
It’s the last day of the school holidays so I’m back to work on Monday…oh, yay!! Where are you when I need you, Linda? I need a Pirate costume for Friday…I presume it’s to help promote our School Production (“Pirates of the Curry Bean”) – you know how much I LOVE dressing up?!! I think an eye patch is the best they’re going to get from me!
I’ve been thinking of you a bit lately as I have been archiving all the school photos and memorabilia…I’m loving spending time going back over and organising the photos and reminding myself of staff and students from the past (including very cute Matt and James). Where does the time go?
I streamed Steven O’Flynn’s funeral yesterday – it was a lovely tribute to him. I sat here and laughed and cried. I didn’t really know Steven, only met him a couple of times but what an amazing bloke – I wish I’d had the pleasure of spending time with him – he looked like a really fun, adventurous, brave and creative person. Judy will certainly have a gaping hole in her life from now on.
On that solemn note (and my second glass of wine) I’d better go and find some food for dinner!
Continue to enjoy and cherish all the moments you are sharing together with your family!
Stay safe and well! I look forward to catching up with you when you return!!
Helen xx
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That’s lovely Helen. Great you enjoy the Ships Log, otherwise known as a SLog. Linda will be in touch, to be sure. Being a sailor, I can’t condone dressings up as a pirate … too much history … but good news is Linda should be able to deck you out good an proper now girly, because she’ll be home next week sometime … an remember … “to Err is to human , but to Arr is to pirate”
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