We are currently in Bayswater Marina, near Auckland.
We made this detour on our way up to the north end of New Zealand, where we will “jump off” on our crossing to Australia. We needed to be near Auckland to sell our car. Jim has spent the last two days at car auctions, trying to get rid of our beautiful 1996 Nissan Sedan with 173,000 kilometers on it, and a cracked windshield. She has served us well these past 4 months. Jim finally sold it today for $1500 NZ dollars, which is less than half what we paid for it. At least that job is done!
The other draw of Bayswater Marina is that it is where our friends on the yacht, AZUL are moored. AZUL is the home of Molly and Jessie’s best friends, the 14-year old twins, Daniel and Anderson, and their slightly older brother, Josh. Molly and Jessie have been fretting about having to say good-bye to them. They all love each other so, and get along great together. We thought that maybe a thorough saturation would help ease the pain of good-bye. They have been together now, 24/7 for the past 3 days, and show no sign of said saturation. They have played tennis, kite-boarded, flown kites, played games, played music and watched movies from dawn till late at night. I think we are all going out tomorrow to an anchorage to spend even more time together, then we absolutely must part and head for Opua. Fortunately, Jim and I like the AZUL parents as much as the kids like each other. Juan is an underwater film-maker from Spain, and Diane is from Tennessee. They have lived in Spain, Italy and England, and are now thinking that they want to stay in New Zealand, on the south island. Their kids all speak 3 languages fluently, and are very musical. Good skills for Molly and Jessie to emulate! I don’t know how we will ever see them again, except Juan may be coming up to the northwest to film the giant octopus for the Cousteau Society. It would be great if he could bring the family.
The weather has been pretty stinky lately – blowing 25-30 knots and bitterly ( 65 degrees!) cold. The crossing to Australia is weighing heavy on my mind. What if it is rough AND cold? For 1200 miles? Well, Jeanna, what if it is beautiful and sunny and the wind is on the beam the whole time? Attitude is 90% of success. I vow to improve mine. Our boat is packed to the hatches with food. All I will need to pick up in Opua is some fresh vegetables and fruit. I wonder what the custom officials in Australia will confiscate…
We will keep you posted on our progress! ~ Jeanna
Jessie is not here to write the Question of the Week, so I will just tell you that -40 degrees is where Celsius and Fahrenheit are the same number. Remember, to change C to F, you double the Celsius number, subtract 10%, and add 32 degrees.