There are two

While breezy it was a nice day yesterday. We did a wash in the morning and the laundry went out on the lines. We went ashore late morning with the idea we’d walk to the bay to the north of us and visit the shop. Within minutes of being ashore we met a woman, Mary, walking her dog in the opposite direction. I asked her if she knew a little about the currents in the area. She did and soon we were chatting and walking together. She owns a small property on the island. She was due to take the Tuesday ferry which has yet to get here due to the same weather conditions pinning us here. She had tenants flying in and so she’s homeless and staying with a friend. Mary was walking her dog to the bay to the north too so we ended up walking this leg together. Along the way she gave us the idea to walk further to the better shop in the next bay round.

In the end it was two bays round and we were ready for lunch and the healthy cafe there. After feeding we picked up a few supplies then headed back. It seemed a lot further going back, probably not having someone else to chat to did that.

Close to the wharf we ended up chatting to another sailor about channel conditions. The long and the short of it is we really should leave a bit after low tide. The currents reach 3 knots and if they opposed the prevailing winds it can be nasty. If they oppose our desired direction they would be a pain.

The forecast for Friday is still strong. For Saturday it’s lessening and on Sunday the winds will have shifted to the south making travel in that direction awkward to say the least. If we leave after low tide on Saturday we’ll arrive in Waiheke after dark which we should never do coming into an unknown anchorage. It looked impossible. Until we remembered there are two tides each day. And that gives us a great opportunity.

Our current plan is to leave about 3am on Saturday morning, catch the favourable currents through the channel and round the tip of the Coromandel and get to Waiheke Island in time for breakfast. We haven’t entirely decided where to anchor but we can make our minds up today. We’ll also prep the boat today so we’re ready to go as soon as we wake up. Early night tonight.

We’re getting over being off the internet. It’s a bit of a trauma at first but soon we feel quite liberated. There is nothing we can do. Nothing to respond to urgently. No news of the outside world. Nothing. It’s kind of nice for a bit. And that’s what we like when we’re up in the islands. Wasn’t expecting it here but we have it. We did consider moving the boat today but that smacks of desperation. One more day won’t hurt. I’m sure we’ll connect once at Waiheke.