Awaawaroa Bay to Waiiti Bay (dinghy) This morning Bob took me around to Waiiti Bay and I alighted with camera in hand: The aim? A few hours spent in bliss bird watching! Loaded with camera and the largest telephoto I currently own (300mm equivalent) up the hill I climbed. A short distance in, my destination […]
Paradise Cove, Urupukapuka Island to Awaawaroa Bay, Moturua Island With a change approaching, the decision was made to motor the short distance across to the sheltered Awaawaroa Bay on Moturua Island. Waiiti Bay, Bay of Islands Making the most of the weather window, a dinghy ride took us around to Waiiti Bay Bay. First, a […]
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With each year’s commencement I am always determined to keep the Blog up to date and, as always, that plan fell into disarray almost immediately upon our return to Europe in 2019. The past half decade had seen Bob and I mulling over the concept of returning to the Med in Gratis and purchasing a […]
Cloud over Russell, Bay of Islands Yes, we moved again. It’s amazing how much food four people can eat! There was even a rainbow!
Urupukapuka Bay, Urupukapuka Island: New Zealand A dinghy ride onto the exquisite creamy white sand beach of Urupukapuka Bay led the four of us into a wanderer’s paradise. Camp sites set with toilets provided for the most basic of needs, whilst showers positioned in open meadows or beneath shaded trees, enabled visitors an opportunity to […]
Paihia to Urupukapuka Island, New Zealand The intention had been to anchor in one of the protected harbours on Moturua Island. The best positions no longer vacant, Australis 1 was instead pointed toward the nature reserve of Urupakapuka Island. What a boon it proved to be, when late afternoon found us anchoring in Urupukapuka Bay. […]
Clendon Cove to Paihia More gas and fresh foods required, a motor – winds just didn’t play fair for us – into Paihia. Winds 6-9kn when we awoke increased to 15kn as Australis 1 departed. Exiting the protection of the bay, true wind was, in actuality, 24kn+. Oh to raise the sails. Perfect conditions for […]
Orokawa Bay to Clendon Cove With winds increasing over the past few days, our delightful anchorage had become just a little uncomfortable as the fetch built. Already, one of the smaller boats had dragged – and rapidly! Fortunately, there were moorings for the single hander to grab hold of and attach a line to. As […]
Orokawa Bay to Paihai to Orokawa Bay After some days spent relaxing and just being, in this peaceful bay, a major food restock was required. Anchor raised, and we were off. Dolphins twirling was the highlight: not just once but twice. Against the backdrop of the stunning landscape, they were an awe – inspiring sight. […]
Orokawa Bay, Bay of Islands: New Zealand Out in the bay trawling the line for a meal of fish to feed the hungry hoards, out of the blue a massive disturbance in the water ahead caught my eye. Two black fins, three, then four gracefully pierced the surface as their bodies rounded, then disappeared […]
New Zealand and its Bay of Islands continues to amaze. No swell, pristine, peaceful, idyllic. This bay is delightful. Awaking as dawn was breaking, on looking out the portal I discovered mist arising in the valley over the hill. Drifting westward, it wended it way out over the water, gradually engulfing the distant yachts resting […]
Having returned to Paihia, a dinghy ride into the township to stock up on fresh food led us to the local Countdown: how shopping had changed in a few short days! A Covid reducing Level 4 lockdown in New Zealand meant a guard stood at the shop entrance. A minimum of ten people were lined […]
Paroa Bay to Motuarohia Island Time for food restock, a return visit to Russell was required. Directly across from Paroa Bay was our lunchtime destination, the wildlife sanctuary of Motuarohia Island. As always, the beauty and vibrant colours of the surrounding landscape first attracted the eye. Upon entering the small bay neighbouring Cook’s Cove, heavenly […]
First off, a dinghy ride into shore. Homes were well hidden amongst the greens. A walk upon Oneroa Beach. People were making good use of their time during COVID lockdown. I love the patterns found in the sand. There was our beautiful girl! Could the Bay of Islands get any better? Well……. 1.5nm […]
A long sandy beach where holiday ‘shacks’ lined the shoreline, the perfect spot for a night’s stay. The silence was complete. Interesting Read https://www.otago.ac.nz/geology/research/index.html
The Corona Virus was taking hold in Auckland and the regions south of the city. Now at level four restrictions, a quick motor into Paihia for a restock. The last of our condiments purchased, it was time to find a more comfortable anchorage – the ferries and boat traffic make the Paihia mooring a little […]
With perfect weather, there was time for a sojourn ashore. Dinghy readied, and we were off. A loop around Australis 1. It looked like we weren’t the only ones! The tide was coming in…… There was a bit of a climb ahead! Oh, the views were so worth the effort.
Covered in more than 150 islands, the Bay of islands was created when the rising sea flooded green river valleys, leaving in their place picturesque landscape and marvellous anchorages. This morning, a short motor took Australis 1 roughly 9km north of Paihia to the anchorage of Whale Bay. Volcanic activity is evident in […]
