Departure Day

Returning to the water...

No matter how much flex you allow for all those jobs, time accelerates the closer you get to departure. 

And here we were, all of a sudden: Departure Day!

Having splashed at 1000, we motored over to the Whangarei Cruising Club for a good clean up, washing all the hardstand grime from the boat. We also had a few jobs to complete, including post-service checks for the gennie & watermaker - jobs that couldn't be completed until we were back in the water. Neither worked.

Ready for the off!

We set off down the river anyway, as we had our Immigration out-clearance booked at Marsden Cove for 1400. Gusting 1600, by the time our Border Protection officer arrived. Never mind, it took that long to get the gennie running, top-off the fuel tanks (400 litres) and ship the last of the fresh & frozen rations - thanks to Sue!

We never did get the watermaker running - with full water tanks and reserve cans (500 litres), that was a job for later.

Farewell!

After a teary farewell, we scraped over the marina bar at 1700 and motored out into Bream Bay and a freshening S'ly. All sails up, and we cleared Bream Head at 1800 as the sun set behind New Zealand - our last glimpse of 'The Land of the Long White Cloud'.

Next stop Raoul Island in the Kermadecs!