Thursday  December 6^th Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island, Northland,  New Zealand  South Pacific Ocean 36 35.2S 174 50.3E  Today’s Blog by David (Time zone GMT+13.00; UTC +13.00)

Lenie and  Terry left us from Tutukaka on Monday morning, bound for Chirstchurch  a full day’s taxi, bus and plane journey south. Meanwhile, Peter and I dived at the Poor Knights Islands,  another supposed diving Mecca. I say supposed, because it think we must have been spoilt in the Tuamotous Islands, Society islands and Tonga because while the dining was good, it was hardly special. However, I did get a photo of my twin brother:

This Grumpy chappie is an aptly named Scorpion fish

And this the view as I left my twin bro in the cave

S’Funny, the technical name for these fish is – surprisingly -  “Blue Fish”. 

Lance and Mary (Perer’s Sister) arrived on Tuesday a day which also was distinguished by being Peter’s Birthday - so we needed to celebrate. Firstly, we drank to “Absent Friends” with a bottle of fizz that I had actually bought for a valedictory drink with Terry and Lenie before their departure.

“Absent Friends”

But then we went out on the town of Tutukaka - -to celebrate in style at the towns topmost venue!  

The Ocean Resort Hotel

I have to say Peter really does know how to enjoy himself!

So partied, out we woke expecting that weather forecast in the range full house Aces on Tens through to five Jacks.  In the event, it would appear the NZ Met Office is out if town again because this morning we sailed here in FOG with about 300-800 yards visibility with a forecast of N30 gusting 40kts backing W 25-35knots. We stopped briefly at Kawau Island for lunch at the Kawau Yacht Club returning to the boat to learn that we were well five Queens. N30-45knots with 55 knot gusts in squalls backing NW 30-35kts overnight.

Against that forecast there seemed no better anchorage than the one we are in so we have decided to tough it out here.

BTW – the tornadoes that have gone through Auckland today have – so far – missed us. Wish us luck!