The Auckland skyline can be pretty awesome from the water

When I was a kid we hand reared calves: Daisy, Blue Bell etc. We knew they would eventually be in the freezer. (And once processed we had frozen steak, mince etc. labeled with the date, cut … and name )

Also - apparently autocorrect doesn’t like Simrad (I had “fixed” it in the post but it still changed it … 😂)

It’s good kit! My unit uses RayMarine but I did some training on another coastguard boat that has Sinead (all the ex Americas Cup Protectors that are now with Coastguard NZ have Simrad electronics). I’m having to relearn / refresh

The locals helped get folks off too. Here’s some pics of locals helping. (From the Profile Boats facebook page - I have a v similar boat parked in my driveway still )

The weather did produce a rainbow or two. Here’s a pic taken from the Coastguard boat yesterday. The approaching thunderstorm helped create the rainbow.

It was good to get out in her. The thunderstorms passing over were good to get familiar with the radar, how she handled in the rough etc. but all while in familiar waters and with the knowledge that the thunderstorms would pass so we weren’t in for a long rough ride.

Gotta have plans A, B and C! Trying to bring a boat back from Whitianga to Gulf Harbour (by sea). Ended up on Plan C: fly to Whitianga on Sunday, overnight there, then Whiti to Akl on Monday. Luckily the forecast was correct and Monday was a stunner (even dolphins paid a visit west of Channel Is.)

Bugger!!

Auckland to Wellington isn’t too far but it’s another 5.5 -6 hrs to Cape Reinga