But, that would be tomorrow (Thursday NZ time, Wednesday US time).
Today, we packed and packed, then did some boat work. I finished reinstalling the starboard forward porthole. It’s now done. I also pulled the fuel injectors on the diesel. They are still leaking a little since our fuel contamination problem and subsequent cleanup in Fiji in 2013. They were cleaned, but evidently not pressure checked. Something’s not seating right, so out they come and I’m having them pressure checked this time. Hopefully that’ll solve the problem. They drip about 1/2 pint in 12 hours of run time. Not a lot, but knowing there’s diesel oil drizzling over a hot engine isn’t my idea of a “relaxing sail”.
Ann spent the day digging out all our “land clothes” which are buried in various hard to access spots in the boat. Almost as much fun as doing the laundry. Both are vital, but not a lot of fun.
We ended the day with a hike up Mt. Parahaka. It’s the local mountain that towers over Whangarei. For us, it’s about a two hour round trip hike up through some beautiful rain forest. Relaxing as well as good exercise to get us ready for our upcoming bike ride.
So…tomorrow at 0940 we fly from Whangarei to Auckland, then onward to Christchurch on the South Island for about three weeks of sightseeing. The fun starts on March 3rd with a four day mountain bike ride on the Otago Rail Trail. We’ll ride about 20-30 miles/day in the mountains on an old train route. That means it’s now a dirt/gravel trail. Not super tough riding, but about 40% harder than doing it on the road, so it will “feel” more like 40 miles/day. Much of it along some pristine river, where if all goes well I’ll do some fly fishing. Each night we’re booked into a farm or very small inn.
This is back country touring and we’re really looking forward to it.
If the back country part were not enough adventure, add that we’ve been watching the weather report for the last two weeks and it’s showing a BIG storm hitting that area right in the middle of our trip. Should make for even MORE of an adventure, eh? If you want to follow the weather Google “Clyde” or “Alexandria” and “South Island, New Zealand” and you can see about where we’ll be.
Stay tuned. We’ll blog as long as we can get some internets along the way. At the very least we’ll sum it up when we’re done!
Good to hear that the porthole is no longer a hole. That half pint leak seems a little excessive to me. If it was beer I would be really pissed. Here’s hoping, as I raise a pint of suds, that the pressure testing will solve your little time bomb issue.
Have a really great time on your trip. I wish you many tugs on the fly rod. Stay warm, reasonably dry, and post pics. And don’t be sliding down any steep hills; unless you intend to of course.