Thank you Summer Wine, thank you forum

[MapisM]

Ok, it isn't the first time that the forum gives me the opportunity to meet other boaters, go cruising with them, and eventually make new friends.
But during a trip I'm making down under, this has been true more than ever.

Aside from enjoying AndieMac hospitality in Tasmania and doing a fair bit of boating with him (but by now he's not a "new" friend anymore! ), I had the opportunity to meet B, the owner and builder of a beautiful wooden steam launch of which I already posted some pics in the AWBF thread, and also J, the owner of Flemingo, a stunning wooden trawler, also introduced in the same thread.

Now, after moving to NZ, I got in touch with D (Summer Wine on these pages), who invited us for a couple of days of cruising around Waiheke Island on his 22 years old (but immaculate!), NZ built wooden launch.
Just the perfect vessel for enjoying a bit of cruising NZ style - and so far, a true highlight of the NZ part of our trip, which has been very interesting also in many other respects, anyway.
Bottom line, many thanks again D for your invitation, we really enjoyed the cruise and your hospitality! :encouragement:

I am now in the northern tip of NZ, a somewhat remote place with just a limited mobile connection, so for the moment I am only posting one pic, to hopefully give at least a flavour of the atmosphere I'm talking about.
Taken in Man O' War Bay, eastern coast of Waiheke Island, while returning onboard after a wine tasting in the winery that takes the name from the bay itself.
Magic.

 

[Greg2]

Looks fantastic. I went to NZ several years ago on business, much to SWMBO's annoyance because it is firmly on her bucket list. Work meant that i didn't get to do much in the way of what i would have liked to do but I saw enough to know that I will return with my good lady. Meeting fellow forumites would be the icing on the cake

 

[rafiki_]

MM this is a beautiful picture. Just right to brighten a dull Saturday morning, when I should be on board, but the weather forecast is not good here. Thank you.

 

[MapisM]

i didn't get to do much in the way of what i would have liked to do but I saw enough to know that I will return with my good lady.

Go for it, you won't be disappointed.
But be warned, it's a BIG Country, requiring long transfer time if you want to drive around it - and even more so in the S than in the N island.
We have been here for one month, and will stay for another, but I have a funny feeling that we will still come back home thinking to have just scratched the surface...

 

[MapisM]

MM this is a beautiful picture. Just right to brighten a dull Saturday morning, when I should be on board, but the weather forecast is not good here. Thank you.

My pleasure, glad you liked it!
Sorry to have posted just one pic for the moment, I'll try to put together a decent trip report once back home...

 

[rafiki_]

My pleasure, glad you liked it!
Sorry to have posted just one pic for the moment, I'll try to put together a decent trip report once back home...

Great, looking forward to that!

 

[rotrax]

Ok, it isn't the first time that the forum gives me the opportunity to meet other boaters, go cruising with them, and eventually make new friends.
But during a trip I'm making down under, this has been true more than ever.

Aside from enjoying AndieMac hospitality in Tasmania and doing a fair bit of boating with him (but by now he's not a "new" friend anymore! ), I had the opportunity to meet B, the owner and builder of a beautiful wooden steam launch of which I already posted some pics in the AWBF thread, and also J, the owner of Flemingo, a stunning wooden trawler, also introduced in the same thread.

Now, after moving to NZ, I got in touch with D (Summer Wine on these pages), who invited us for a couple of days of cruising around Waiheke Island on his 22 years old (but immaculate!), NZ built wooden launch.
Just the perfect vessel for enjoying a bit of cruising NZ style - and so far, a true highlight of the NZ part of our trip, which has been very interesting also in many other respects, anyway.
Bottom line, many thanks again D for your invitation, we really enjoyed the cruise and your hospitality! :encouragement:

I am now in the northern tip of NZ, a somewhat remote place with just a limited mobile connection, so for the moment I am only posting one pic, to hopefully give at least a flavour of the atmosphere I'm talking about.
Taken in Man O' War Bay, eastern coast of Waiheke Island, while returning onboard after a wine tasting in the winery that takes the name from the bay itself.
Magic.

Echo all you say.

Just back from 4 months, based in Welly, where we keep a 32 foot steel Hartley yacht in Seaview Marina. No. 1 son, partner and our Grandchildren are there.

We had almost a month camping in the north country, up almost to the lighthouse on the Cape. As we have seen lots of lighthouses at the end of bits of land we did not go the last 40 K's, but went to several wild bits of the 90 Mile Beach. The Tasman looks wicked in bad weather-not as sheltered as the East side.

We like the place-your picture shows why!

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

[scubaman]

Indeed a lovely picture, P, looking forward to more!

I have only heard nice things said about NZ. Must vist it some day.

That's a very nice timing you guys have, following the summer to the southern hemisphere, and then back just as things are warming up here.

 

[Summer. Wine]

MapisM it was a pleasure to have you both on board. Thanks for posting such a fine picture of our little ship. We are currently back in Onetangi for the Easter break still with excellent weather. Best wishes for your stay in the Far North.

 

[AndieMac]

I've been wondering how you folks have been spending your time in the land of the long white cloud......should have known there was going to be a boat involved nice pic btw!

Hopefully you have saved some of this nice weather when we come over in a couple of weeks, looking forward to catching up again and hearing about your travels.

 

[Greg2]

Go for it, you won't be disappointed.
But be warned, it's a BIG Country, requiring long transfer time if you want to drive around it - and even more so in the S than in the N island.
We have been here for one month, and will stay for another, but I have a funny feeling that we will still come back home thinking to have just scratched the surface...

Thanks for the tip!
Best we plan a long trip then

 

[MapisM]

MapisM it was a pleasure to have you both on board. Thanks for posting such a fine picture of our little ship. We are currently back in Onetangi for the Easter break still with excellent weather. Best wishes for your stay in the Far North.

Thanks to you D for the great opportunity, it was indeed a pleasure also for us.
I'll email you asap the dates of our next stops in Auckland, to see if we'll find another opportunity to catch up before leaving.
Cheers, P.

 

[MapisM]

I've been wondering how you folks have been spending your time in the land of the long white cloud......should have known there was going to be a boat involved nice pic btw!

Hopefully you have saved some of this nice weather when we come over in a couple of weeks, looking forward to catching up again and hearing about your travels.

Funny that you should say that C, because today when we woke up, Whangaroa bay (right in front of the house where we are staying) was completely disappeared in fog...!
...but glorious sunshine is back again as I'm writing, phew!
The locals did warn us that by this time of the year the weather begins to be variable, but according to them this means that also some possible bad weather shouldn't last long.
Looking forward to your arrival, our best regards also to A & A in the meantime!

PS: re. boating pics, I was thinking to post some of our cruises, both in Tamar river and in Norfolk Bay, in a final report of our winter (EU winter, that is!) down under, but I just wanted to quickly thank Summer Wine in the meantime.
You already know how much we loved also Tasmania, anyway!

 

[MapisM]

Indeed a lovely picture, P, looking forward to more!

I have only heard nice things said about NZ. Must vist it some day.

That's a very nice timing you guys have, following the summer to the southern hemisphere, and then back just as things are warming up here.

Hi K, yeah, I definitely would recommend NZ as a "bucket list" place to anyone who likes travelling.

Talking of weather warming up in the N hemisphere, did you make up your mind about the timing for a trip to Sardinia yet?
No hurry anyway, just let us know when you will have some possible dates!

 

[MapisM]

Echo all you say.

Just back from 4 months, based in Welly, where we keep a 32 foot steel Hartley yacht in Seaview Marina. No. 1 son, partner and our Grandchildren are there.

We had almost a month camping in the north country, up almost to the lighthouse on the Cape. As we have seen lots of lighthouses at the end of bits of land we did not go the last 40 K's, but went to several wild bits of the 90 Mile Beach. The Tasman looks wicked in bad weather-not as sheltered as the East side.

We like the place-your picture shows why!

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Yep, the Tasman Sea surely can be rough.
We already had a taste of it during our stay in the S island, along its W coast, and particularly when we went to Wharariki Beach, in its northern tip.

We'll probably drive up to the Cape Reinga lighthouse tomorrow, looking forward to seeing the famous 90 Mile Beach!

You must have cruised the northern sounds on the S islands a bit I suppose, being based in Wellington?
We only crossed from Picton by ferry, and I must say that in some spots I was impressed by how they can squeeze such big ferries right between the rocks!

 

[rotrax]

Yep, the Tasman Sea surely can be rough.
We already had a taste of it during our stay in the S island, along its W coast, and particularly when we went to Wharariki Beach, in its northern tip.

We'll probably drive up to the Cape Reinga lighthouse tomorrow, looking forward to seeing the famous 90 Mile Beach!

You must have cruised the northern sounds on the S islands a bit I suppose, being based in Wellington?
We only crossed from Picton by ferry, and I must say that in some spots I was impressed by how they can squeeze such big ferries right between the rocks!

No, not yet-we had a senior moment and bought the Hartley very cheaply in December.

Took a bit of a flier really, but it turned out to be a real result. A 32 foot steel yacht up and running for a total outlay of less than $11,000 NZ-about £5,500.00!

As with all boats, it took a bit of sorting. When we first got it I would not have taken it on Tooting Bec Common pond! It took 3 months to prepare it to a reasonable standard. We have found a young couple who will maintain and sail her while we are gone for some help with the mooring fees.

We wont be back in Welly untill October 2016, and then we will cross the Cook Strait and visit the sounds.

We will live on the boat at the marina-it is very well equipped- and sail as and when the weather allows.

We quite fancy taking her North up the East coast-Napier, Gisbourne, Aukland, Harukai Gulf and Bay of Islands.

So much to do, so little time......................................

 

[scubaman]

Hi K, yeah, I definitely would recommend NZ as a "bucket list" place to anyone who likes travelling.

Talking of weather warming up in the N hemisphere, did you make up your mind about the timing for a trip to Sardinia yet?
No hurry anyway, just let us know when you will have some possible dates!

Hi P, I'm sorry to have been a bit slow in getting back to this.

We just discussed this with my wife the other day, I'll get back to this on an email.