We got going promptly as we planned to sail all the way back to the Whangarei estuary so that we can go into Marsden Cove marina on Monday, to haul out on Wednesday. There was very little wind so we were very pleased to have Pink up catching what little wind there was. We pootled gently along going behind Small Barrier Island this time.
We finally got to the beach at Mangawhai where Roy and Libby live, the plan was to drop them off at the beach there. It is a surfing beach and definitely not an anchorage, we were bouncing around like crazy. Rowan took them up the estuary to drop them off as the breaking wave onto the beach was too big. I think they all got soaked but the plan worked. We headed on up to the anchorage at Urquharts Bay at the Whangarei Heads. It was nearly 6pm by the time we got there, the small anchorage is restricted by a large sand bank and was pretty full, we just managed to squeeze in. The wind had picked up, it was surprisingly bouncy. We had a spectacular sunset, and a very bright full moon shining before it was even dark.
Lovely calm conditions
Looking back at the narrow entrance into Fitzroy bay
Libby enjoying the ride
We passed the The Spirit of NZ on the way out, they must have spent the night in the main bay. All sails down this time
Cousins chin wagging
We check out the big chafe in the main halyard
We were so happy to see dolphins along the way
Sunset at the entrance to the Whangarei estuary, with the industrial timber yard and defunct oil depot
Vivid colours
Whangarei Heads in the evening light
Still light at 9pm at Urquhart’s Bay, with the bright shining moon just appearing over the top of the hill
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