Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bay of Islands Marina, Opua, North Island Saturday 3 July 2021 After all our travels together, there’s every chance that today was John’s last sail aboard Chimere.  Makes me sad just thinking about it.  John, my old university flatmate (1980 & 1981) first stepped aboard Chimere in 2013.  He’d flown over from New Zealand toContinue reading “Starting to Say Good-Bye”

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 anContinue reading “Rainbow Land”

Robertson Island (aka Motuarohia Island) … Bay of Islands, North Island Thursday 1 July 2021 After our big day yesterday, we were slow to climb from our bunks this morning, sleeping in to around 7:45am.  It seemed particularly late because our friendly marine electrician Chris was due to return around 8:15 to remove the low-pressureContinue reading “Eight for an Over-nighter”

(Back at the) Bay of Islands Marina, Opua, North Island Wednesday 30 June 2021 If yesterday we were down in the valley looking up, today it was the reverse … we were up on the ridgeline looking down.   After a restful night’s sleep, our Land Adventure slipped into high gear today, or more correctly …Continue reading “Land Adventure Continues”

Mountain Road, South Hokianga, North Island Tuesday 29 June 2021 The day started with two marine electricians, both named Chris, turning up as planned to check out a couple of non-functioning pumps and electrical connections … at least, that’s what we think it might be … but the good news is that my “problem” isContinue reading “Land Adventure”

Bay of Islands Marina, Opua, North Island Monday 28 June 2021 Having been in the marina berth for the past few days it seemed somehow strange to be backing out and actually driving away.  Like being let off our leash … albeit a self-imposed leash … But today was special.  It was an opportunity toContinue reading “Day Sail – There and Back Again”

Bay of Islands Marina, Opua, North Island Sunday 27 June 2021 As a day of rest, this one was true to label.  Pretty much nothing happened.  Apart from a walk around the coast, an afternoon nap and, oh, I cooked eggs and bacon for breakfast.  We also saw a few interesting birds, plus a 1Continue reading “Lazy, Rainy, Day of Rest”

Bay of Islands Marina, Opua, North Island Saturday 26 June 2021 The latest stage of our NZ20/21 adventure came to an end with Nicola saying her good-bye yesterday morning – off on the morning bus south to Auckland.  Today, it was Martyn and Annette’s turn, picked up by Gary and Theresa a bit after 7:00amContinue reading “The Days of Good-Byes”

It’s been a slow day in many respects, but with the werather still fine we took the opportunity to catch up on some boat maintenance – including finally getting a final top coat of grey on the foredeck, complete with grippy grit to make it less like an ice skating rink. For the past 11Continue reading “The OTHER First Mate Arrives”

Bay of Islands Marina, Opua, North Island Thursday 24 June 2021 After a restful night in the calm, yet expansive Bland Bay, a small indent on the coast a bit further north of here beckoned … uniquely named Whangamumu Harbour; phonetically written as…  Fonga-moo-moo. As it turns out, Bland Bay was just a short walkContinue reading “Whangamumu (Funga-moo-moo) … I Just Like Saying It”