Night one was a windy one but we were well stuck in anchor-wise and all awoke having had a good sleep to prepare for the epic day ahead.
A hearty breakfast, morning cleaning and the sails were raised. Dolphins farewelled us from Whangārei as we surfed out past the Heads with the wind behind us.
We jibed to head up the coast and this is when our new trainees really got a decent dose of sailing. With perfect wind on the port stern quarter, we flew along! We saw all sorts of seabirds along the way and some trainees competed for speed records as they steered the ship – the winner coming in at 8.7 knots!
As we rounded the last point of our first leg up this beautiful stretch of coast and turned into Mimiwhangata Bay, we lowered the sails and motored in to anchor. We had an explore of the deserted beach, played a game of beach cricket and a game of Camouflage. In the golden evening light, we came back to the ship to a sweet chicken curry made by Kelly and, dishes done, we are now wrapping up our day with our rounds and Sticky Date pudding from Nic.
Happy team doing really well for only Day 2!
Hei āpōpō,
Us
[photo is us on the beach with Tucker in the background as well as Motukokako (Hole in the rock) and the end of Cape Brett – where we will have go around to get back into the Bay of Islands. Seeing this landmark already is a sign of how far we travelled today. A really good day sailing for us!]
