My father used to say, “Never be in a hurry to enter port or to leave it.” We didn’t follow his advice this time.
Our final weeks and days in New Zealand were filled with last minute unexpected projects. When we checked into the country back in November the Customs Officer asked me if we planned to do any major work on the boat while in New Zealand. I said no. We had some routine maintenance to do but we didn’t plan to haul out or do anything major. I jinxed us.
We did haul out. We replaced four shrouds as well as the anchor windlass and washdown pump. Just before we left, we replaced the holding tank and hoses. Even when doing the routine maintenance task of flushing the engine’s heat exchanger we discovered a seized bolt and had to replace the thermostat housing.
Last December, when we left the Bay of Islands, we planned to be back in early April. It would give us a month to enjoy the area before leaving for Fiji. We ended up returning three days before departing New Zealand for Fiji.
We arrived back to the Bay of Islands on a Sunday afternoon. Monday morning we got a spot at the Bay of Islands Marina where we rushed around completing final boat jobs, provisioning and completing the exit formalities with the New Zealand Authorities. The reason for the rush was that there was a good weather window coming for our passage north. I had been watching the weather for the last month and this one looked good. Our friends on Renard had been in the Bay of Islands for a few weeks so they were ready to go. I was hesitant. We had too many things to do to be ready to leave in just three days. I was sure there would be another weather window though I couldn’t see one in the next ten days. My father’s saying played in the back of my head but I agreed to go and I’m glad we did.
In hindsight, it was a very good weather window. When we checked in with Gulf Harbour Radio they commented that this was one of the best weather windows they had seen in years. It was unusually good. Having said this, the ride wasn’t easy. The first night was rough. Sharlene was seasick but by the second day things became easier. Sharlene started to feel better. Also, we were fast and able to sail almost the whole way to Minerva Reef.
Because we left in such a hurry, we didn’t take the time to post on the blog. I have some half-written posts that I’ll finish off and post. They will be out of chronological order but they’ll be there.
As I write, we are swinging at anchor off Namena Island, Fiji. More to come.
Cormacks On Cambria 