We left Peter and Caroline’s house after they had gone to work and had about an hours journey to Opua where we picked up the boat we have chartered for the next 3 days. Named “Freewheeling” she is a Davison 28 yacht that Glenn had been recommended by one of the guys he went racing with last week in Auckland. Apparently she has “no bad habits”! After going through everything we had been taught on our Day Skipper course in July we signed all the paperwork with Kim, the guy who runs Fairwinds Charters and by early afternoon we were out on the high seas. Our first ever bareboat charter! And in New Zealand!
We set a course to our mooring for tonight to Urupokapuka Island in Paradise Bay. The swell made the first leg very uncomfortable but the wind was good, so Glenn was especially enthusiastic about it all. The boat was a lot smaller than the ones we typically get on our Greek sailing holidays but a great size for just the two of us to handle. As we approached our destination the sea calmed and Yvonne perked up.
The Bay of Islands is famous for its Dolphin pods and Orca Whales and we greatly anticipated seeing them. However, on this short journey, nothing.
We dropped anchor in Paradise Bay to moor for the night with only three other boats for a bit of company. So far all had gone to plan and the sun came out to greet us there. The bay is a start point for several trails around the island so Glenn placed the outboard on the dinghy and after several attempts to get the engine going, off we pootled to the shore. The beach was beautiful white fine sand and someone had rigged up a swing rope on one of the trees - of course we found this irresistibly to lark around on (56 year olds, tut!) The trail reached the top of the island with stunning views of the Bay of Islands. The blue sea, turquoise bays, white beaches all surrounded by lush green islands in every direction. We were very pleased we came here.
The dinghy outboard motor on the return trip conked out and Glenn gallantly rowed back to “Freewheeling”. Dinner was reheated (prepared last night in our host’s kitchen) and we supped a fine New Zealand wine whilst the sunset. Retirement is great!
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| Yup, "Freewheeling" is an easy boat to sail. |
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| On the beach at Paradise Bay |
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| Yvonne was overjoyed to find this rope swing - paradise indeed! |
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| Some of the many sandy bays on one of the islands. |
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| The good ship "Freewheeling" (on the left) at anchor in Paradise bay. |
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