Abel Tasman National Park …

A great couple of days were spent in Nelson, a part of the country we had only visited very briefly in the past. On our first night, Peter Jones, whom I had grown up with back in Auckland, and his partner, Donna came down to SOL bearing gifts of homegrown veges, a cooked chook and wine – a lovely surprise, they stayed for dinner and we chatted for hours. On Monday, an old neighbour of ours from when we were living in Matakana, north of Auckland, 20 years ago, Frank Carlisle, drove over from Blenheim, for normal people a near 2hr drive, but Frank, who has never been “normal”, whizzed over in his very sporty Lotus Elise!! to spend most of the day with us, including taking us to The Boat Shed for a super, late lunch. 

Then Tuesday we enjoyed a Tiki tour of Nelson and surrounds with Peter, going out to the Boulder Bank – a 13km naturally formed bank of rocks which provides protection for the Port of Nelson from the weather of Tasman Bay, the Matai River, past the centre of New Zealand – geographically – and to the hills overlooking Motueka, culminating in lunch and a bit of ‘home-made wine and port tasting’ at his place – and a very nice drop he makes indeed.

Peter and Jamie at the Boulder Bank

Looking out from Nelson, Boulder Bank visible on left, Abel Tasman National Park in background

Having restocked, organised NZ sim cards for our phones, and tossed up as to whether we would go up the East Coast or the West Coast to get to Auckland (I thought the East Coast route would be prettier, however, West Coast won due to the better weather – gale force winds in Cook Strait not being too appealing). Wednesday, we left for the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park anchoring the first night in Stilwell Bay where we headed ashore and walked the coast to Marahau, a really pleasant 15km round trip walk – we hadn’t walked far since leaving Australia of course so it was excellent to get off the boat and stretch our legs. 

A great 7.5km walk through the bush to Marahau

A natural tunnel on the way to Takaka

This magnificent piece of New Zealand coastline would have to be one of the best. We moved on to Onetahuti then Totaranui, spending a night in each of these delightful anchorages. Whilst in Totaranui we bussed into Takaka for a little look, the lovely lady bus driver giving us an impromptu guided tour!!

Tuesday, 12^th Dec, Jamie and I set off on the next 550 nautical mile leg of our trip. Leaving the amazing South Island for now, we will be back here in April 2018 with Jim and Terry, friends visiting from Canada, doing it by land in a motorhome then. 

We upped anchor as the sun rose and set the sails, starting out with three reefs in the main and just the little stormsail as we were expecting 25+knots of wind as we passed Farewell Spit – and we were not disappointed – she blew! and she blew some more (30kn for a time)!! We were off the Taranaki Coastline, where, had we been closer to shore, we would have seen Mt Egmont/Taranaki, by lunchtime. We made good passage, over 180 nautical miles on day one. 

Tuna, tuna !!

We caught our first tuna, followed later that day with another, woo hoo were we excited, Tuna, Tuna!!! 

Tuna steaks for dinner

Rounding Cape Reinga, the tip of the North Island of New Zealand is quite amazing, it is here where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet – and yes, you see a very obvious line of very disturbed water, what looks to be waves hitting each other from two different directions. We rounded the Cape 54hrs after departing the South Island, it had been a great sail, hassle-free and comfortable, but it was not finished yet. 

We turned and made our course in the direction of Auckland, where we plan to spend Christmas Day with my dad in Forrest Hill, (sadly, he is in a Rest Home there with dementia).

Bypassing the Bay of Islands for now, we will be definitely back there in mid-January, we kept on sailing till we dropped our anchor in Whangarei – slightly more than 3 ½ days constant sailing and after fish and chips for dinner – we headed to bed, a place we had not spent long in since departing the magical Abel Tasman area.

Whangarei Quarry Tropical Gardens with Jenny

Three great days were spent in Whangarei, anchored just outside the Port of Whangarei Marine Centre, where my oldest brother, Andrew, has his fishing boat. We had a couple of meals with Andrew and wife, Jenny, did the usual - washing, grocery shopping and had some time for a bit of sightseeing in what is actually a really nice spot - Whangarei - having only quickly driven through it in the past it was great to spend some time. The inner harbour area where the marina houses many boats is amazing - so many boats, from so many countries as well as boutiques, eateries, local craft and souvenir shops. After staying to help celebrate Andrew's birthday we set sail south.

Our anchorage, Stillwell Bay, Abel Tasman Park

Could have been Thailand !!

Nesting gulls, Onetahuti