The day before yesterday, in the afternoon we docked at Whangarei marina.

It was a long way up from the bay where we stayed overnight in the first bay on the east side just inside the mouth of the Hatea river.

In the morning, we had strong winds when lifting the anchor but all worked out fine and quickly we were back in the navigable water of the river.

Terry taught Joe how to navigate in the well marked channel between the red and green markers. They did pretty well.

Further up the river I took over. We then approached the “Te Matau a Pohe” bridge. “The Fish Hook of Pohe” bridge in English.
This bridge is a rolling bascule bridge. It features a span that can be lifted to allow boats and ships to pass underneath. It’s design is inspired by traditional Māori fish hooks, which is reflected in its distinctive appearance.

After calling bridge control on VHF 18, they stopped traffic, open the bridge and we could pass without stopping because it was on a Sunday.

On the left bank there are many small boat yards and business with boats. Small marinas are also in between. Then the last about 1 – 2 NM the water got really shallow.

Without knowing that there are catamarans bigger than mine up into Whangarei marina and Terry’s local knowledge I would have stopped my approach when the water depth reach 2.0 m. However I continued.

Then we saw the marina and also the reserved berth just at the end of the pier.

Terry called his friend Ray to take the lines. He and people from the boat in front of us gave us a hand. Thus docking was very easy. The catamaran in front of us left shortly after our arrival and we move MaRe a boat’s length forward.

Then Ray, a former fisherman, came on board and we enjoyed the time talking about various things. A good time with friends. Next Maria, Terry’s wife, came and enlarged the group.

However, then came the farewell, which might not have been the final farewell.

Shortly after they left, I got a call from Terry telling me that Tanya is at the gate. So she also came on board for another chat. Terry will be busy when we will leave for Opua and Tanya has a to tight schedule with her professional work, she proposed that Grace, one of Boh’s sisters could sail with us Opua. That would be nice.

Yesterday, Joe and I took off each with shopping list. About 1500 we were back on board; Joe just arrive minutes before me. I got all I wanted to get and a lot of information on what I could get where. Whangarei really is a good place; all is in walking distance.

When we came back, there was a big box with fresh golden kiwis and a book with maps of the Northland’s East Coast on the table. Terry or Tanya was my thought. When calling Terry, I learned Ray came by with this wonderful present and I have him a thank you call. Gosh, I’m lucky having met all this people connected to Boh. (She’s now wrestling cows on an Australian farm but will come back to NZ for her university studies.)

After a late lunch with cuscus with vegetables and a tzatziki. We ate it’s on the cockpit, but we had the desert of fresh kiwis inside the salon with the heater on. I was kind of tired and didn’t want to get out in the cold and work. I spent the late afternoon in the salon resting. I only prepared dough for new bread. Joe finished kitchen work an searched the web for organic grains. We need to stow 20 kg of spelt.

I went to bed early; Joe as well.

Now I have to get up. Changing the antennae is the main tasks for today.