WHANGAMUMU

 

 

 

 

 
On the way back down the coast to Whangarei we decided to call in to Whangamumu.
This used to be a whaling station in the old days and you can see the remains on the shore. It was a lovely day, and we had lunch here absolutely nobody around......

WAITATA BAY

While cruising around the Bay of Islands went to check on this house I designed  a few years ago.
It is ageing well, withe the planting on the sod roof going great guns.
it overlooks the water and out to the Pacific Ocean.
We picked up their mooring and wandered up the hill....

ALICE ALAKWE

 

While in the Bay of Islands I came across Alice.
This is the boat I built in the Solomon Isands 1982, in a native village Tavuilo on Malaita Is.
A Herreshoff Lee board ketch- without the leeboards but with the draft increased to a whole 3' 8".
Her job, which she accepted, was to take Beryl and I around the world in the tradewinds.
No motor,no rigging, no wc or shower...
Went like a train with 3days of over 200 miles.
Came 12th out of over 200 boats in the second ARC race Canaries to Barbados.
55,000 miles and a couple ov masts- We lost both south of Fiji on the way home, but got to Opua unaided in 19days. Looking a bit unloved here and am advised could be bought........

BAY OF ISLANDS

 

 

 

Managed to try out the jib on the 80 odd mile run NW up to the Bay of Islands. Steadied the boat well despite its small size.
"Ludique" is a small schooner,concieved by Bill Sellers an old mate.
Next is a lovely launch called "Lady Crossley"
Finally another ex fishing boat getting some treatment. Did not stop even tho a dinghy behind saw nobody around.

GREAT BARRIER ISLAND

 

 

 

Still at Gt. Barrier Is ( in this blog!). ,mucking around. Visiting friends and snapping interesting boats.
Population of the mountainous island is now under 1000 and dropping. Not that I could live ther, thought about it in the past. But its a great place to visit!
Tomorrow I will post some fotos of the trip up to the Bay of Islands

FISHING

 

 

 

 

Some of the fish caught at the 'Barrier'
All except the crayfish caught on board. the cray was from a friend,Max Howard down in Whangaparapara.
We certainly lived on the fish for a week....

SHAKEDOWN CRUISE

 

 

Well I am back home , so over the next little while will feed you all some images from Mason Bay's inaugural mid-winter cruise.
Whangarei down river to anchor at the harbour entrance, 'Woolshed'.
Rain strong easterlies for a couple of days. Out to Great Barrier Island, a 7hr passage of 44miles. Still a bit of left over slop and a few green gills!
Spent 4 days with the keen fishermen before Max and Kevin sailed back to Whangarei. John and I stayed on and visited some mates I know that live there.Lived thru a stormy night with 60 knots, and on the Barrier, due to high, steep terrain the 'bullets' are noisey.
to be continued.... 

INTERIM REPORT

Finally got internet access so this is to confirm still alive and kicking. MASON BAY going well, no major problems.
Out to Great Barrier Island 45 miles
Gt. Barrier direct to the Bay of Islands 80 miles
Have been mooching round here in the Bay visiting old friends.
Mid- winter feast for the Brothers of the Coast on 11th then back down the coast to homeport.
Will post fotos and full report when back in Whangarei.