Ardmachree in the Bay of Islands

During our 5 week trip to New Zealand we were fortunate to be able to spend a few days out on Ardmachree. The water was clear and warm and invited us in for a swim each day.

As you can see many normal items on Ardmachree were not installed for this short time on the water, but with the great weather most of the teak got at least a couple of coats of varnish.

Slice of Heaven

Last November Andy and Irene launched the Power Cat 'Slice of Heaven'. This was the conclusion of their dream that started 4 years and 3 months ago with nothing more than a few buckets of epoxy, balsa wood, fiberglass cloth, plans and a great deal of determination. They supervised the complete project and did most of the labour except when specialized help was required.

She is 13.5 m in length and has a beam of 8.5 m. Power is from twin 165 hp Volvo turbo diesels and is expected to have a cruising speed of 17 knots. The bridge is equipted with the most modern navigation instruments and engine monitoring.

The galley not only has the usual frig and freezer but also a washer/dryer and most unusually a dish washer. As you can see from a couple of the interior shots the design is very modern and practical.

Slice of Heaven con't

Crossing the Bay of Islands 'Slice of Heaven' passes Ardmachree with ease, through we were sailing with only the fore sail out. In the second photo, the 'nine pin' just off the north entrance to the Bay of Islands can be seen in the back ground.










Seen below are Andy and Irene in Ardmchree's cockpit with their cat 'A Slice of Heaven' at anchor near by.

Matamata Sculpture Symposium

For the last twenty years Matamata has held a Sculpture Symposium in the Railway Square. The sculptures are made of the local Hinurea Stone and the artists come from all over the country. The stone is donated by the Quarry Company and the artists have two weeks to finnish their sculptures and on the Staurday morning there is an auction of the donated finnished works.













Mum standing beside a stylised Moari fish hook.

Matamata New Zealand

Matamata in the heart of the Waikato is primarily a dairying and race horse breeding area. It also became known as 'Hobbiton' as parts of the Peter Jackson movies Lord of the Rings were filmed on a local farm.




The town clock on Broadway and a view of the central business area.

New Zealand Family

It is not often that we three sisters and husbands have a chance to get together at Mum and Dad's.