Christmas 2021

We sailed on Christmas Eve and went to our old haunt at Take-In Bay. Just did our Christmas thing the way we like to. A bit of a cool breeze from SE, but it didn't stop Sue and Nina from swimming. Nina was so happy to be reunited with Poppy. Big ups to Sue who did all the planning and shopping, forgot nothing, and cooked on Christmas Day.

Poppy and Nina

Sue and Nina, Kenepuru

Coverage

Us

Kenepuru from Take-In Bay

Christmas Day sunset

Monograde 30

Oil Change

Slightly overdue at 230 hours, Ken gave us a hand. Continuing for another year with the Morris Oil Ring Free XHD30. I think I topped up once with 1 litre since the last oil change; pretty amazing for an engine first commissioned in 1977. Anyway, the engine seems to like it and it matches the spec in the operator's manual. We get it from Tractor Repairs & Spares in Renwick. See Gardner swami Joe McCool on YouTube on the subject of oil.

July storm

 

These were the Waitohi Wharf readings at 2 am on the Saturday morning when it really started to get going. Then it just went on and on until eventually there was 187 mm (7.5 inches) in 24 hours.

Wairau River

Genuine Gardner Parts

 

Genuine Gardner Parts

Two oil filters, two secondary fuel filters, two crankcase breather filters. Also an injector puller because it may soon be time to clean and set the injectors. These parts come from one of my favourite places to shop - Gardner Spare Parts. 

Waikawa fog

 

Waikawa

Not unusual to get fog at this time of year, with the low sun it can create some moody mornings. This shot was taken by Sue while walking Poppy along the eastern breakwater at Waikawa marina. Something worth noting is the very high barometer - 1038 hPa - creating very calm, cold conditions.

QBW21

Sunday afternoon

Fine day

Indifferent weather with more rain forecast, didn't bother to head out. Nina home for the weekend, reunited with Poppy. Caught up with Grape Escape, otherwise pretty quiet.

Phil

Phil cruising the Kenepuru

Took advantage of a spell of settled weather to head up the Kenepuru. Joined by cousin Phil, pictured here. Spent one night out at Take-In Bay. Overcast overnight and a pretty dawn. Warm by midday. Grape Escape spotted in Long Bay, and Sofia (outward) passed at Black Rock on the Sunday. Total 35 nautical miles.

 

Easter 2021

 

Tennyson Inlet

Tom and A leaving Ketu Bay

Sea cruise

It was great to be joined by Tom and A Rowley for our Easter cruise. We delayed the start by a couple of days to take advantage of a spot of very good weather. We sailed on Easter Monday and came back late afternoon on Thursday. We steamed 115 nm and sighted dolphin, seal, octopus, shearwater, blue penguin and gannet. Caught and ate 8 cod and 1 gurnard. Visited two new places - Wakatahuri, and Hopai Bay farm in Crail Bay.

Waitangi weekend

 

Big gurnard!

Saturday CORE whānau on board for picnic lunch (Fiona, Karl, Lucy, Jess, Duncan, Fia, Matt, and Linda Ojala). Nina arrived from Wellington on the plane. Janice and Norma dropped in. 1630 moved to the fueller took 326 litres. 1645 sailed for Yncyca or Kauauroa 3 pob 1 dob. Ended up at Kauauroa Bay, anchored in the eastern part of the bay between the mussel farms and the steeply shelving beach. Sue's trip for fishing with one big gurnard from the aft deck, and three cod from the dinghy around the rocky edges. Nina swimming. Hyperactive mussel barges to watch. Logged 41 nm.

New Year 2021

Nina on watch, Outer Sounds

Dolphins at Post Office Point

Gardner in full song

This year's New Year cruise defined by the best dolphin experience ever.  A large pod of what we think were common dolphin approached on our starboard bow, passed under the boat, and surfaced on our port quarter. Fortunately, Nina was quick to grab her phone and capture the clip above. Fishing was good. We've got a thing about only catching what we'll eat, and so we put one kahawai and four fat cod in the fridge. Overnighted in: Kauauroa Bay, Ngawhakawhiti, and Chance Bay. Logged 72.2 nm.