Russell, Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand

Date: 14/10/15 Position: Matauwhai Bay, Russell

On Saturday afternoon we left Oke Bay in the Bay of Islands. The friendly, local pod of dolphins farewelled us by escorting us out of the bay. We motored into a light head wind as we passed through Albert Channel and continued on towards Parekura Bay where we looked at the possibility of an available mooring for the summer. It seemed a quiet and fairly well protected bay so we'll keep it in mind. Our intention was to continue on to Russell for the night but as the wind was not in our favour we dropped the anchor in Pareanui Bay for the night. It was a peaceful, little bay with a modern house ashore with big signs on their manicured lawn saying Private Property. Later we were joined by another yacht and a motor launch.

On Sunday morning we left Pareanui Bay and motored a short distance out into the more open water of Te Rawhiti Inlet where we were able to catch a breeze in the sails and turn the engine off. We tacked our way back and forth in a light SW 5 - 12 knot breeze. The island chain to our north looked very inviting and we intend to return to these at some point to walk and kayak around them. As we rounded Tapeka Point we found we were on a collision course with the local Sunday yacht race. The yachts looked spectacular with their colourful spinnakers filled. Wayne skillfully had us tack between the yachts and a short time later we dropped anchor outside the heavily moored Matauwhai Bay which is the next bay around from Russell. After lunch we rowed ashore in the dinghy and left it tied up at the Russell Boating Club's pontoon along with about a dozen other dinghies. We had a pleasant walk into the small, quaint, historical town of Russell which was once the capital of New Zealand. We wandered around the streets before taking a bush track up to Flagstaff Hill. The houses are lovely, big, old weatherboards with neat and tidy gardens. After walking back to the Boat Club we were in luck to discover Sunday was roast night so we enjoyed a delicious roast beef and vegetables.

On Monday we went ashore into Russell again as the shops were closed the previous day. We were able to swap a few books at the secondhand bookshop/post office, have a rare ice cream and go for another walk which was part of a circle walk which links Opua, Pahia and Russell by ferries and walking.

On Tuesday morning we sailed out of Matauwhai Bay with just the headsail and 10 knots from the NW. We sailed up Veronica Channel to Opua where we anchored off the port between the channel and the mooring area with plenty of swinging room. There are hundreds of yachts around Opua either in the marina or on moorings. We felt privileged and in awe of spotting the tiny yacht 'Gannet' which looks to be about 20ft long. The 73 year old owner Web Chiles is sailing around the world in it. It has no cabin top or dodger of any kind but we did spy two stern chain plates that Ambler also has for towing a drogue in heavy weather. His website is www.inthepresentsea.com if you would like to follow him. It's an interesting read. After a trip ashore to Opua to check out the marine outlets we returned to Ambler.

In the afternoon we were in the middle of having a bite to eat and a cup of tea when we heard 'crash'. We both flew up on deck to find a Leopard 46 Catamaran colliding with our poker pole. We had followed this same catamaran, flying their quarantine flag up Veronica Channel earlier in the day. Unbelievably it was only blowing 15 knots at the most but it was dragging its anchor. I got the engine started and into reverse as Wayne fended the cat off then let out a further 25 metres of chain. We had only 5 metres of chain left out of our 70 metres. We appraised the situation then realised the catamaran was dragging down on us again. Wayne quickly went on board the cat to lower the fenders that had been pulled up but still left tied on from when they docked in to clear customs earlier. We moved our kayak from the port side and rigged our fenders and dock lines then we motored alongside the cat and made fast. Then our chain was able to be pulled in to a respectable 50 metres. It wasn't long before their anchor and snubbing lines became limp as Ambler held both boats fast. It was after dark when the couple from the catamaran returned and Wayne helped them retrieve and reset their anchor a safe distance down wind of Ambler.

Wednesday morning was cold with a brisk breeze blowing from the south and rain falling on the nearby hills. We left Opua early and went a short distance down the channel and anchored off the town of Paihia. We went ashore mid morning and tied up at the town wharf. Paihia was a nice little town, buzzing with holiday makers. After we bought some fresh supplies of meat and vegetables we returned to Ambler and sailed across to Matauwhai Bay near Russell where we have secured a 4 tonne mooring for the summer.

This afternoon we met some of the other local boaties who all seem very nice people. Tomorrow we plan to sail towards Whangaroa Harbour about 36nm further north up the coast.

All is good on board. Kathy and Wayne

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