We ended up waiting  a couple of weeks for our new part for the mainsheet traveller. We made the most of it though, think that  we visited everything worth looking at in Noumea. Museums, galleries, shops, notable houses, the cathedral, cemeteries, markets, a few restaurants and sampled the products of all the boulangeries in 3 miles radius! Loved it!

Noumea - Aug 22

We had to make an unexpected stop in New Caledonia. The passage from New Zealand was a bit rough and we broke the mainsheet traveller. Ian managed to rig an emergency system that got us to close to Noumea. As we made our approach, about 10 miles out, our engine stopped, without warning. Unable to restart it, we just sailed, with very little wind, only made it to port before dark. Nothing major fortunately, water got in the fuel tank, it was sorted in a couple of days and we did not loose too many litres of fuel. As we have to wait for a new part to be tooled for our mainsheet traveller, we make the most of Noumea.

Noumea - New Caledonia - July 22

Djibaou Cultural Centre - July 22

More testing required, we need at least 20 hours of motoring before Ian feels comfortable that the engine is bedded down. So we go round and round the Bay of Island. We hire a car for our last provisioning trip to KeriKeri before we go and as we have time we finally go up to the Rangirouha National Park. We'd been wanting to go and see  the first settlement in New Zealand and its landmark, the Marsden Cross. As per usual, the park is a delight to be in, with very informative panels and audio narration available on our phone. Beautiful despite the overcast weather or maybe because of it... it feels almost haunted... very atmospheric. A couple of days later, we wave goodbye to New Zealand.

Rangirouha National Park - July 22

Leaving New Zealand - July 22

With the engine back in, we spent a few days in the Opua are, testing all the systems. We are not going too far, plenty of lovely, empty anchorages within a couple of hours from the marina. Everything is seems to be working, we may be able to finally escape New Zealand. After 2 and a half years it is not going to be easy as we both enjoyed the country, the lifestyle, the scenery, the cruising ground and all the walking available... not forgetting the people... we could definitely live here if they would let us!

Bay of Islands - June 22

Looking good... if it looks as good as it runs we should be laughing!

All we need to do now if 20 hours trial at sea,  and if it all works out we should be able to finally leave New Zealand. But not soon enough, our visa expires within a couple of days of the engine actually starting again after a few days of teething problems. So we do have to lodge another application... The sea trials are now completed, we had the most perfect weather for it, no wind and no waves. So far so good.

Engine back In - June 22

Mount Cook is the further South we will go, not enough time to go all the way to the Sounds at the bottom of the South Island. Work on the engine is progressing, we are getting weekly emails to keep us informed. We need to be back in Opua by the middle of the  month so we can get ready.  In the meantime, we are making the most of it. Such a beautiful country. Highlights, Akaroa and its French twist, Arthurs Pass even if the weather deteriorates at the top, the Nelson lakes and their reflections.

Road Trip - June 22

This trip proved to be the right thing to do. Nothing like stunning sceneries to take our minds off it all. Admittedly costly on top of an engine refit but can you put a price on sanity?! Highlights, Mount Cook in the sunshine, Kaikoura an its seals, Clearwater lake and its tiny village. Loved waking up in different fabulous places every day.

Road Trip - May 22

Disaster, the engine is not doing well and we have to have it fixed before we can go any further. This means we will be immobilised for up to 5 weeks, whilst parts are ordered and received and the work is undertaken. We are both extremely disappointed but despite everything, as luck would have it, we have the opportunity to tour the South Island in a campervan.  Hopefully we'll have an engine in working order before our visa expire at the end of May!

Engineless - May 22

We are now on the clock, we should be leaving New Zealand sometimes in May and we are both feeling a bit sad about it. So as a treat,  we decide to go and do the Tongariro Crossing, our last Hurrah in New Zealand. Glad we went and done it. It was just perfect. the weather could not have been better, not so many people on the trail and the scenery was just spectacular. We also stop in Taupo on the way. The rest of the month is all about getting ready to go north, to Opua and the Bay of Islands, from where we are  waiting for the right weather window to leave, direction Fiji.

Marsden Cove - April 22

Tongariro - April 22

Taupo - April 22

Bay of Island - April 22

Back to Marsden Cove, via Kawau Island. It was lovely to be back on the move and at anchor in such beautiful surroundings for a few days. The island is just enchanting with its mansion, lawns and peacocks. As for being back in Marsden Cove marina, it feels like coming home. Mr X is lifted out for the yearly bottom scrub and general maintenance. We are again fortunate, house and dogs sitting is on offer as we are on the hard. Could not have planned it any better.

Kawau - March 22

Marsden Cove - March 22