Bay of Islands and Waitangi

After our 3 relaxing days out on the water where we visited the historic little town of Russell, we spent a day touring around the Bay area by car, visiting Paihia, Opua, and a walking visit of the Waitangi Treaty grounds where history was made in 1840 when the British and Maori signed the Treaty founding New Zealand.




Ken with the town of Russell in the back ground.







Kath met up with some ladies from the local Keirkeri Fibreholics group spinning wool in the courtyard of the Treaty House.




A view across the treaty ground of the flag pole and Treaty House.

Waka at Waitangi

We visited the Treaty Grounds 2 days before the 6th of Feb., which is the day the Treaty is celebrated. A number of beautifully prepared Maori waka/ canoes have been moved to the beach in preparation for the ceremonies. Note the extensive carving on these waka.

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'