Christmas 2022

This year's Christmas cruise started from Havelock with Nina arriving on the Thursday in rain and Callum arriving on Friday in hot sun. Sailed on Saturday morning around 9.30. Noted that the usual rafts of penguins and shearwaters at Tawero were absent. Looked in at Homestead Bay, but all options taken up. Grape Escape was on Maori Bay which was a good choice. Gannets present, swooping down low over the water. Crossed to Ketu to find the outer buoy vacant and took that. Stayed there Christmas Day (Sunday). 

Moved off the buoy Boxing Day (Monday) for Tennyson Inlet and dropped anchor in Ngawhakawhiti Bay, also known as World's End.

On the Tuesday with freshening SE winds (north of Separation Point) we thought we'd head south. Productive fishing on a favourite mark near the gannet colony. 

And on our last night, a busy sky at sunset. This is one of our most photographed views looking down the length of the Kenepuru. Steamed 96 nm.

Slips everywhere

Slips 2022

In October we went for a short cruise up the Kenepuru looking at slips after two major weather events had wrought havoc. By far in a way the worst (though not the biggest) is at Portage where the Kenepuru Road has been undermined.

Erin's picture

 

Orion entering Havelock

Matariki

 

Hikapu Reach

Sailed on Friday afternoon with an unpromising forecast and the hope of a nice day on the Sunday. Hikapu Reach looked awesome and menacing. We parked in Ferndale for shelter from the northerly. Saturday was mild with light rain and we read our books. Sunday was indeed a beautiful day and we sat out on deck in warm sunshine.

Saturday

Sunday

Nina steered for the transit of the channel and Erin captured us coming in past Johnson Light.

Coming in

Small repair

Canine helper

A small leak, but an annoying one because it's right over Sue's bunk! All fixed now thanks to Poppy who is clearly being a big help.

 

Easter 2022

 

Maud Island from the north

Karere

Departed Havelock Thursday April 14 at 1600 and arrived Hallam Cove in the dark. The Friday was beautiful, calm, sunny, and warm. Saturday and Easter Sunday a moderate SE breeze kept us pinned down in Hallam Cove. In company with three launches rafted up on the outer buoy. People in the baches with their kids and dogs. Monday we headed out into Waitata Reach cruising for dolphins which we didn't see, but we did see seals. Flat calm. Went into Homestead Bay where Sue caught us four fat cod for our tea. Tuesday was flat calm again with occasional showers turning into warm sun in the afternoon. Wednesday we headed out at 0800. Amazing light, and wisps of cloud clinging to the slopes and gullies. Back in coverage, we caught up with Nina who was walking the Milford track with Sam. In Popoure Reach ran in company with Karere for a while (Percy Voss 1952 Gardner-engined launch, Doug and Colleen). All fast Havelock H8 by 1200, total of 71 nm. 

Rising fuel price

Mahoenui on Picton fuel jetty

Mahoenui on Picton fuel jetty

With sanctions on Russia affecting world oil prices, the price at the pump has risen sharply and is set to keep rising. We went on the Havelock fueller with Orion and took 454 litres at $2.08/litre. Here Mahoenui is taking who-knows-how-much in Picton one week later.

March 6 cruise

 

Kauauroa Bay at sunset

Māori Bay, Port Ligar

Mussel barge, Forsyth Island

Cyclone Dovi

 

Sat Feb 12 2200 hrs

Sea Bee

 

Sea Bee

Sea Bee (middle, in the distance) seen at anchor in Waikawa Bay February 2022. Dodging foul weather since she came into the Sounds from Auckland. Sea Bee was built in 1965 by Harold Saunders. See the Orion history page for a better photo.

New Year 2022

 

Sam, Dylan, Sue, Nina

Sailed New Year's Eve at 1630 for the anchorage in Chance Bay. Much revelry aboard Orion with fabulous food by Nina, festoon lights, loud music thank you Sue, and a few bevvies. Next day moved north to Kauauroa Bay, stopping by Yncyca Bay to admire Manoa and to wish Leon and Michelle HNY. Swimming and fishing in K-Bay. Next day up early for Bird Island and some reliable cod fishing. Spotted Tyros underway. That night eating the cod in Hallam Cove. Lots of shearwaters, few or no penguins, no dolphins, heaps of rays including babies. Last night in Long Bay on the Kenepuru. Grape Escape came by in the morning and we went in late morning in company with Kerenia. Calm, hot weather throughout. Logged 104 nm. 

Countdown to midnight

Countdown to midnight

Sam, Nina, and a codfish

Dark arts