More crew came to visit. My friend Jeff Dryer from Southern CA has just left
after sailing for 2 weeks out of Whangarei Harbor. Our best and longest sail
was out to and around the Great Barrier Island. Averaging over 6 knots
with the wind off the starboard beam to quarter blowing 15 to 25 knots it
was an exciting sail there. We anchored in Port Fitzroy surrounded by the
rugged green hills covered with many varieties of trees and lush ferns. WE
took many great hikes along clear rushing streams and to the tops of hills
to See the views. We even drove around the island traveling through the
valleys and over the mountains having an opportunity to see a great deal
more if the Island.
Just outside Whangarei harbor entrance we had a great day drift fishing
thanks to Roger and Jenny acting as guides to find the good spots. Jeff
caught more fish that day than he ever had. Of course Jeff had ‘the life of
Riley’ as Roger was taking the fish off the hook as well as baiting his
hook. All he had to do was catch the fish, mostly snapper and one gurda.
Back in the harbor Jenny did a great fish fry in a beer batter with Chips
for everyone and of course a few beers to help wash down that salty food.

Photo #1 – Jeffrey with Whangarei city, river & Bay in the background
2 – Tom, Jenny, and Roger on the Dock
3 – Jim taking a dip in a cool mountain stream
4 – Cute Church on the beach
5 – NZ sheep grazing on the Airport runway
6 – INTENTION anchored in Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island
7 – Jeff fishing
8 – Roger handling Jeff”s fish
9 – beautiful NZ sunset