We’ve not moved from the marina… Feels like the Hotel California, you can check out anytime but you can never leave. We have been busy. More house sitting (really love these dogs). Visited Waipu (one of the earliest European settlement in NZ) and its cave, and a bit of sight seeing in Whangarei for a change rather than visiting the shops. Impressive falls too.
The time goes so fast. We are still at the marina, weather is still atrocious (glad we packed hot water bottles all those years ago, we finally have use for them!). Struck lucky again, house and dogs sitting for our neighbours in the marina. Both dogs are lovely and the house is fabulous, as for the Ute (pick up truck), Ian loves it. Another lock down in the middle of the month means that moving about is possible but not advised. Guess we’ll stay here for a while longer.
Finally back living on board, after 6 weeks. We’ll stay in the marina until the weather improves. It is nasty out there and hanging on the hook in a bay is not so attractive. At least in the marina we have plenty of opportunities to socialise and easy access to shore and facilities. We had some great walks, Waipu coastal pathway was a winner. But our local beaches are also very attractive. We’re still pottering on the boat. The job list never seem to diminish…
Back to the mainland to haul out in Whangarei. As it turns out we did not go further than Marsden Cove at the mouth of the river. The boat was on the hard for 6 weeks, while we were coming home every night to a roaring log fire. Made working on the boat a bit less of a chore. In walking distance to beautiful beaches, we had some fabulous walks despite the cold and wet weather.
Great Barrier Island, the perfect place for a lock down. We spend 8 weeks in the same anchorage, the longest we have ever spent in one place ever. Plenty of walks, taking the dinghy for a row, doing a few jobs on the boat, we have not really had time to get bored. Amazing how the same walks can provide so much delights. By the end of May we are back to Marsden cove to haul out Mr X.
After a mad rush to get back to Whangarei for our haul out at the end of March, Covid 19 finally caught up with New Zealand. Total lock down is announced for 6 weeks and we head back to Great Barrier Island where we know we can get shelter in all weather. Kaiarara Bay is our home for the duration. Glad we are here it is just simply beautiful.
Going north in the Hauraki Gulf, we are scheduled to come out of the water at the end of March in Whangarei and there are plenty of places in between to explore. Taking in Waiheke island, the Coromandel peninsula and Great Barrier island. As per usual, all in a bit of a rush, could definitly spend more time in all the above.