Firefly - Heading south to Auckland

Its Wednesday 10th December and Firefly is en route to Fairway Bay Marina just north of Auckland. Its a 50 mile passage and it started well with a strong breeze from behind. For an hour or so the wind dropped and the engine was on, however, it has now switched direction as the sea breeze is builds up, its beautifully sunny and the scenery is great as we travel south near the coast.

At the end of the previous posting we described our arrival at Hukatere Lodge on 90 Mile Beach during our land based travels. Found at the end of a long unmade road and nestled in the dunes just off the extensive beach (which is actually 64 miles long). Gabi, the owner of the lodge and a really friendly lady, originally from Germany, made us feel at home, immediately offering us beer and wine to drink and locally caught smoked marlin as a starter for a special dinner.

The impromptu birthday celebration was for Uve, the only other guest, also a German, who was travelling around NZ for a month and had turned up the previous day. Sitting on the deck overlooking the sea in the warm evening sun we talked about life in New Zealand and inevitably, our sailing trip to NZ from the UK. Bruce, a Moari (and also part Scottish) joined us for the dinner of locally caught snapper. He said a traditional Moari blessing and explained about his local tribe. He had been both a doctor and politician, now retired, but still involved in ongoing discussions about land rights between Moaris and Europeans. Over desert we had a rendition of Happy Birthday and popped open a bottle of NZ Champagne. A really great evening was had by all.

More socialising followed on our arrival back at Whangaroa with the second Ocean Cruising Club get together. This time it was a delicious afternoon BBQ provided by Richard and Joy at their wonderful house located deep in the 'bush' a mile or so away from the anchorage. Both of the OCC events were notable for the very high propensity of English people - either having relocated totally, in NZ just for summers or having recently sailed in - it made us feel really at home.

From Whangaroa we started heading south and have been doing so with a 'Top Gear' like approach - Barney and Juanita being dropped off ashore in the dinghy and traveling in the Toyota people carrier 'racing' Firefly to the next agreed meeting point. The first stop after a 40 mile sail was at Whangaruru. The road travelers arrived first, but were 'hot and bothered' after a lovely sunny day was spent driving, shopping and sightseeing. The sailors were very relaxed having sailed nearly all the way with a perfect wind, (exactly opposite in direction from forecast) and a flat sea.

The second day we split up again to reach Tutukaka, Firefly arriving first but it was not so pleasant this time as the weather had changed and we had a 'Devon like drizzle'. The third and final 'race' day was 20 mile sail to the new and really well equipped Marsden Cove marina (£12 per night!) near the entrance to the spectacular Whangerei harbour. The weather improved while we were sailing and we ran goosewinged in 20 to 25 knots of wind so sailed very quickly. However the car arrived first again and as we docked Firefly the rain started again. Our evening was spent nice and cosy down below and we ate a lovely Moussaka prepared by Susie and watched the last 3 episodes of Fawlty Towers - we have worked our way through all 12 over the last week!

Barney and Juanita's nautical adventure is now over and they left the boat this morning to move to a rented cottage at a farm inland near Wellsford. Firefly will be left at the next marina for a few days as Paul and Susie are also going to stay at the farm, and enjoy some space and a bath!

Paul, Susie, Barney and Juanita