Yea! We are back in the water again. After many delays,
umpteen dollars and cyclone Lusi, Mazu made it back in the water. We were so
glad to have our home floating again. I turned on the freezer and fridge (items
we could not use while out of the water as we have a “keeled-cooled” system)
and it appeared that all systems were a go. Unfortunately the next morning I
noticed that the fridge was no longer cool. Darn we forgot that it was on the
frits before we left. A refrigeration
company was called and a service man (Ross, who also is a fishing expert and
gave me lots of advice on fishing) figured out the issue and we soon were
up and cooling again. A run to the store for provisions and we were ready to
go.
Our first shake down cruise was to Waiheke Island. We decide to
motor so we could concentrate on the ins and outs of our new chart-plotter;
soon we are nicely tucked into a nice anchorage on the west side of Onetangie
Bay. We celebrate with a couple of cold beers and enjoy the sunset and burgers
off the grill, now we are really living again.
The next day I am anxious to try out my new fishing lures, I
want to catch a snapper which I hear are everywhere here, we get a late start
and miss the prime fishing time, no fish, but we get a nice dingy cruise in. We then
move over to the East side of the bay and meet up with our friends on Double
Diamond and Exit Strategy. We have drinks on Mazu then meet on DD for and tasty
dinner, great wine and a spectacular sunset. Our plan is to go to shore
tomorrow to walk to some of the small wineries that make Waiheke a popular
tourist destination.
Waiheke walking wine
tour:
Melody and Jeff pick me up in the morning; Mel is sitting
this excursion out as he is not really into wine. After a nice lunch we start
our hike up to the winery trail. While the steps up are steep we are rewarded
with a great view of Onetangi Bay. We meander down a few streets and soon find
the correct road to the first winery. We do not stay as the tasting room is not
open only the restaurant. Here is where it gets fun. The trail to the next
winery is through the vineyards. It is interesting to see the grapes
and vines up close. Soon we arrive at Obsidian Winery.
Obsidian winery, like most on Waiheke is very small, but
they produce all their own grapes and produce the wine themselves. We are well
taken care of and sample several different wines. Each one is very good. It is
hard to make a choice, but I purchase a bottle of their Chardonnay. We were
then off through the vineyards again to the next.
Waiheke is a very hilly island and parts of the trail is
very steep, but it is very pretty and soon we are at Stonyridge winery.
The setting is very pretty so we sit and have a glass of water. The staff does
not seem to notice us and as it is running late we decide to carry on to the
next place.
Wild on Waiheke winery and brewery is unique
as they have skeet shooting and archery as activities you can participate in
while you sample their beers and/or wines, some combination. Unfortunately they
are closed when we arrive, so no shooting for us. They do let us have a beer
and relax.
The bus stop is right outside their place so we take the bus
back to Onetangi Beach. Our little group will split up in the morning with
Double Diamond and Exit Strategy going on to other anchorages. We will stay for
another day while we decide where to go next.
Here are some pictures from Waiheke Island:
 |
| Stonyridge Winery |
 |
| Stonyridge Croquette Club |
1 comment:
The pictures were so beautiful! Looks like you having a blast, miss you girl!
Post a Comment