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Firefly - Clockwise around the Hauraki Gulf



Sunday 25th January 2015 is yet another beautifully sunny day here in New Zealand - since New Year we have had only one cloudy day. During the last week we have sailed around the Hauraki Gulf in a clockwise direction reaching Waiheke Island from the Coromandel Peninsula. From there we have stopped at Ponui Island, Pine Harbour Marina near Beachlands, Rangitoto Island, Tiritiri Island and the Whangaparoa Peninsula. This evening Firefly will be berthed in Fairway Bay Marina as we are about start a month of road travel.



Before leaving the Coromandel we visited the Rapaura Water Gardens near Tapu, successfully hitch hiking the 20 miles south without having to wait very long for lifts. The various ponds were fed by a small river and the tranquil setting was deep in the bush. The water lillies in particular were spectacular and the visit was very memorable. On arrival back in Coromandel Town, Jasmine Greenhill, daughter of Barney and Juanita, met up with us and joined us on board for the next 4 days.



The following morning Jasmine managed to catch a fish, a snapper that was for once over the minimum size. It was therefore immediately despatched and prepared for her dinner that evening. A gentle beam reach took us all the way to Man O War Bay where we cooked the fish using the requently used on board BBQ. We had 2 great walks on Waiheke, up to the ridge line to see the views and then to Stony Battery to see the WW2 gun emplacements. Never fired in anger but built in case of a Japanese attack, this battery had very large guns - the hardware is long gone but the concrete bunkers where the guns were located are still intact and are massive.



The sail from Ponui Island to Pine Harbour was one of the windiest for some time and with the wind reaching 30 knots so it was good to be on a very broad reach. A taxi collected us from the marina for the short ride to Ayrlies Garden. This is said to be the best private garden in New Zealand and was a must see for Susie. Mrs Beverly McConnell started it in 1964 and since then has transformed the 10 acres of pasture land into a beautiful garden. Although it was near to Auckland we were the only visitors and had an excellent day following the paths and walking around the wetlands in the valley below.



Jasmine left us at Pine Harbour and from there we sailed close hauled in a light breeze to Rangitoto Island. Walking to the top of this relatively recent but inactive volcano was a very hot affair but the views of the Gulf and Auckland were stunning. The city was really showing why it is known as the 'city of sails' as there were boats everywhere, this being probably the busiest weekend of the year with 'Auckland Day' being celebrated on Monday.



Tiritiri Island just off the Whangaparoa Peninsula was our final island stop and was highly recommended in the pilot book. Managed by the Department of Conservation, all of the introduced mammals (NZ had no mammals originally) have been eradicated and the bush and the birds have been re introduced. On the Wattle trail there were several bird feeding areas and incredibly close up we saw red crowned Paraketes, Bellbirds, Tuis, Saddle backs, Stitchbirds, Fantails, Spottless Crakes, NZ Robins and Riflemen. At the lighthouse we also came across Takahe for the first time, a goose sized bird that is apparently well known for stealing food from picknickers!



These postings will now cease for the next month during the forthcoming road trip while Firefly takes a break. Initially we have a few days visiting Rotorua and Lake Taupo to the south of Auckland. Following that we fly to the South Island and are doing a 25 day trip in an anti clockwise direction, celebrating our silver wedding anniversary en route.



Paul and Susie

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