Bay of Islands with Ken

Ken arrived in the Bay of Islands after a rather long flight from Fredericton NB via Toronto, Shanghai, Sydney and Auckland on the 1 Feb. Ken and I go all the way back to High School...a rather long time ago. We have been looking forward to his visit for some time and soon cast off from the Kerikeri Cruising Club for a few days sailing out on the 'Bay'.

It wasn't all just relaxing, chatting and swimming as on our 2nd day out we climbed to one of the lookouts over Roberton Island, affording a beautiful view of most of the Bay.

Christmas 2010

Christmas this year was spent on Ardmachree, and as Rose and Carl had no kids at home or visiting they decided to join us. We were able to get away for 3 days, Christmas eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Also Kath's Birthday).
The first photo is Ardmachree's main cabin decorated for the season, followed by Rose and Carl in the cockpit and dolphins swimming past and under us as we sail to our anchorage.













The last pic is crew/guests working hard to ensure that the boats bottom is clean and ready to go.

A great few days out in the Bay, good sailing, swimming and celebrating the festive season.

Spring Cleaning

Fortunately it doesn't happen too often. Today was an exception when we decided to clean out the cockpit locker. Everything was looked at, considered, and even a few things thrown out. Most of it was returned to a clean locker.

Kerikeri's Christmas Parade

The Kerikeri Retirement Home consistently has one of the best floats in the Xmas Parade. 'Good on them'

First trip out....

During our first trip out for the season, fate was not with us. Shortly after leaving our anchorage a loud and distressing noise was coming from the engine. A little investigate showed that we had sheared a large bolt from the alternator. With the engine too hot to be worked on and no wind our next best option was to call to Andy and Irene for a tow.

In the photo is Ardmachree being towed for the first time in her 26 years. Andy and Irene's power cat got us back to the marina where we were helped into our berth by a cruiser who saw our plight.

Back on board Ardmachree

Shortly after arriving back on Ardmachree it was time to move 'slowly' over to the 'tidal grid' to remove the accumulated oysters and barnacles from the propeller. Once cleaned we can now get over to the boat yard to be hauled out and repaint the bottom.