Two Geordies

Two Geordies, one guitar

A sneaky little weather window presented on the Friday and promised sunshine and variable 10 knot breezes. Threatened sou'easter didn't materialise until the Tuesday. Joined by two neat Geordie guys, Callum and Rob. It was great having them on board for three nights. Chance Bay, Stafford Bay, Take-In Bay. Caught a 44cm Gurnard and plenty of sharks. Steamed 51 miles.

Labour day

Sunrise from Stafford Bay

We might have gone further, but a fresh NW breeze turned into the best part of a gale. So we parked up in Stafford Bay in company with two small sailboats rafted up on the other buoy. Stafford offers excellent shelter in NW winds. Fishing was slow and our one good specimen was a cod, so he had to go back; the season opens on December 20th. Two reported maritime incidents, both a result of the strong winds and rough seas, endorsed our decision. However, holiday Monday especially was a beautiful day. On the way in, for old time sake, we dropped in to Putanui west to wait for the tide.  We berthed at Havelock in the late afternoon having steamed just 32 miles. The trip had a nice feel to it; relaxed and satisfying.

Goats at Stafford Bay

Poppy passing No 4 outward

Stafford Bay

Sue photographing shag nests

Goat on the cliff

Family of goats on the foreshore

I took a couple of days leave and we went aboard on the Tuesday evening. We sailed on Wednesday morning at 1100 with a plan to go to Homestead Bay, Port Ligar. The wind was fresh from the NW so we looked into Stafford Bay to see what it was like. We were surprised to find how sheltered it was. The bush was lovely with Nikaus and ferns, and there were fish, and shags, and a pair of Paradise ducks. In the mornings and evenings goats came down to fossick on the beach. We stayed three nights. Great Escape visited us on the Friday. We came in on the Saturday about 1230.

Shags nesting

Gurnard 45cms

Hopeful

Jellyfish after dark