We thought we’d be able to stay in communication by email with more success than has actually happened. The hotel assured us by phone that they had internet access, but it turned out not to be the case. We eventually located a wifi service (called Kiwifi, which I thought was rather clever) in the harbor area and signed up, but we have to sit in our car in the parking lot to get it to work, which is not conducive to frequent internet sessions.

It is supposed to be the start of summer here, but every day has been grey and cloudy, in the 60’s with blustery winds between 20 to 30 knots.  It has apparently been like this for three weeks straight!  Sweater and jacket weather every day, but not freezing cold.  We didn’t go sailing until yesterday, hoping the wind would quiet down a bit. You can tell by the grin on Mike’s face that it was worth the wait! We were out for about 7 1/2 hours sailing in a brisk breeze around some outer islands off the coast near Auckland. For lunch we anchored in a cove and warmed up with corn chowder cooked by Anouk and served from Raven’s galley. 

The final step before finalizing the purchase (and wiring the $$$) is the survey (or pre-purchase exam – as a horse person I think of it as a vet check;-).  A crew had already crawled all over the boat, from stem to stern and top (of the mast) to bottom checking out all systems while she was berthed in her slip, but the parts underwater needed to be inspected as well. At Gulf Harbour Marina’s expansive yard, Raven was hoisted out of the water on a gigantic rolling lift to provide access for those final inspections, from hull integrity to propellor health.

The photo at the top of the page is linked to this gallery of photos that we have been taking on our trip…lots of photos of the sailboat Raven during her pre-purchase exam, plus a few scenic photos taken on a casual walk nearby. We had time to take in a couple of side excursions as well, including a visit to Kelly Archer Boatworks, where the first prototype of the Dashews’ newly designed powerboats are under construction, starting with the 83′ long aluminum yacht Wind Horse. A one-off boat design like this is completely built by hand, an amazing feat in these days of mass production. New Zealand is one of very few countries left in the world where skilled boatbuilders are capable of pulling this off.

Another memorable occasion was a visit with Jim and Cheryl Schmidt, boating friends of the Dashews who set up the introduction. The Schmidts live on country property that borders a river where their Dashew designed sailboat Wakaroa is tied up to a dock. Jim collects antique airplanes and we were treated to not only a tour of the hangar where he houses them, but a joyride for each of us inches vintage (circa 1928) de Havilland Gypsy Moth as well! I really dig the leather helmet!

This morning I went on a two-hour hike through a park very close by the Gulf Harbour Marina, It featured a spectacular coastal walk through parkland and wetlands, and then a steep uphill climb into pastures with sheep and hereford cattle.  Wildflowers blossomed in profusion. On the beach the pohutukawa trees were in full bloom. This native New Zealand tree blooms around Christmas time with a blazing display of red flowers – earning it the title of New Zealand’s Christmas tree. 

We are scheduled to arrive in LA Friday morning the 17th, but may move up our departure by a day or two if there is space on the airline. The weather forecast for the next several days is nothing to get excited about…not very conducive to playing the tourist.

Merry Christmas!