Mixed Fortunes
Aurora_b
Mike and Liz Downing
Mon 9 Apr 2012 10:51
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Leaving Tauranga proved to be a good decision. 3
days of good sailing and a safe arrival before the tropical
storm hit the area. We had been concerned that the storm might
result in more fall-out from the Rena and our concerns were more than
justified. The forecast read:
Southeast 30 knots gusting 40
knots, but 35 knots gusting 45 knots north of Whangaparaoa Peninsula, rising to
40 knots gusting 50 knots but 45 knots gusting 55 knots in the north this
morning. Becoming southeast 40 knots gusting 50 knots everywhere this evening.
Sea rough but very rough in the north. Sea becoming very rough but high in the
north this morning, then very rough everywhere this evening. Fair visibility in
showers developing this morning, becoming poor in rain from afternoon, heavy at
times.
Not nice! Even worse when they
add that swells will be 6 metres or more. Over the wreck of the
Rena they recorded high winds and swells of 10 metres, and the whole stern
section that had sunk just below the water level back in February, disappeared
completely into the depths releasing more containers and more debris. The
area around it in the Bay of Plenty outside Tauranga was a no-go area
once again. The annual yacht race from Auckland to Tauranga that takes place
every Easter, was cancelled due to the danger from debris. We were very
pleased to have left Tauranga and Gulf Harbour proved to be a very sheltered
haven.
Not so fortunate was the small pool
of oil under the engine when we arrived. We had a small leak most of the way
across the Pacific and the local Volvo agent in Tauranga sorted it out with
new oil pipes to/from the oil cooler before being lifted ashore last
summer. These very expensive pipes (£450!!) contain middle sections of
rubber with crimps at each end to seal them. At least they are supposed to
seal them, but after just 18 hours of running, oil is leaking through. The good
news is that as they are genuine Volvo parts fitted by a genuine Volvo
dealer they are under warranty for 12 months, so they will fit new pipes free of
charge. The bad news is that they don't have any in New Zealand and they will
have to come from Sweden and go through the Volvo dealer route to get
here. We hope to find out tomorrow how long we will have to
wait. We had hoped to leave New Zealand at the end of April with the
annual Fiji rally, but this could now be in doubt.
With the storm out the way, Easter weather was
surprisingly good - no rain and a fair amount of sunshine. We have a berth right
at the entrance to the marina and have never seen so many boats in New
Zealand head out to sea. It was reminiscent of Poole Bay back home
with boats sailing in all directions. For us it was a good opportunity to strip,
clean and re-lubricate all the winches. We have 9 and the big ones take 4 hours
each and the small ones 2 hours - 3 in a day is about my limit! So Good
Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday were accounted for. Today, Easter
Monday, was a day off - a trip to Tiritiri Matangi, and tomorrow's blog
entry.
 Gulf Harbour - 1000+ boats of all shapes and
sizes.
 One of the more interesting boats just along the
pontoon from us.
 Aurora B, with a fish/dive charter boat
behind.
 Winches to be serviced - 3 on either side of the
cockpit and 3 on the mast.
 Gulf Harbour continues on to become a
marina village - canals with houses and
apartments having
their own berths
outside.
 Cafes and restaurants along the water's edge
complete the picture.
 Perhaps we don't have to go back to the UK after
all - decent cakes at last! We've found the New
Zealand
cakes to be pretty plain, but here there's a
cake shop selling fresh cream apple turnovers - the first we've
found in New Zealand!
 Striking - and an interesting
keel!
 Auckland - 18 miles away taken from Gulf Harbour
with a long lens.
 The extinct volcano Rangitoto at the entrance to
Auckland harbour (again, 18 miles in the distance).
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