2ND - 4TH MARCH, 2013

We spent a day on our own, no other yachts around in Kiwiriki Bay so we crept a little further in.  Below is a view from the saloon windows of each side of the bay. It was lovely to hear all the birds in the morning and sea gently coming in against the rocks.  We decided to head around to the east side of the island the following morning as the winds were forecast to come from the SWest so we would not have the usual big swell the Pacific gives on the east coast.   As we sailed around in about 15 knots of wind with main and genoa out we had a pod of very large dolphins playing along side, then we caught a 10lb Kingfish, quite a fighter.  Whilst I brought the yacht up into wind, put it on auto and got the net and gaff out, Jonathan was still bringing it in, we eventually landed it and put it head down in the bucket and net over it.

We sailed as far as The Needles but as we came around the corner we lost the wind so had to motor the rest of the way.  We eventually found a small sheltered cove just north of Harataonga beach.  There was one other yacht in the cove called 'Deja vu'  as they came near us in the dingy we offered them some fish fillets which they collected on their way back to the boat and came aboard for drinks, he is an electrical engineer but servicing places such as Scott's Antarctic Base, he has just returned from there after four months away as it is only occupied during the summer months.  His wife, Lisa, is a very keen sailor as well racing yachts in various countries.

The following morning we took the dingy to the beach, a few difficulties coming in and shipped a few waves then dragged it up the beach.  We did a four hour walk along the Harataonga track, not too difficult as comparatively flat after the initial climb but J's knee and lower back were playing up so we decided not to go the whole way. We took a different route back which did involve a strong climb but magnificent views of the bay and islands and Aqualuna at anchor below.  

Tomorrow we have planned to head to Waiheke Island again and then on to Auckland as the Water Maker is causing problems and needs an expert to look at it for some reason the wires have got quite hot around it and not sure why.  We hope the forecast is right and the winds will come in South Easterly so that we have a good run back it will also mean it is time to leave the east coast.  Sadly it has meant we have not yet got around the other side of the Coromandel Peninsular to see an old friend, Alex Elson, but hope to do so before we head to Sydney (by air) for a family wedding at the end of March.