Moving right along...McClune Xmas prep part two

So the next part of our weekend was to have some time out. We decided not to decorate the tree straight away as we had so much on, but instead we would take some time out and go out on the boat for the day.

We got my sister and her family to come with us.

We spent the first part of the trip out there getting used to being on the boat again. I keep forgetting how it bounces around over the waves and the kids get quite nervous about it. But hey, that was all forgotten once we reached Rakino and a lovely quiet beach with blue water. Wow, it was beautiful. The kids had a wonderful time playing in the water, building sandcastles, burying each other with sand. Bliss. Just a little way from Auckland city.

 

We had lunch, then the boys went out diving for scallops. 1.5 hours later they came back with the limit for them both.

While they were gone we wandered over the hill and found an even more pristine beach with a private jetty.

We did our bit picking up bits of rubbish on the way back, then the boys came back and Andy and I went out for a 'sightseeing' dive. There was a little island just out from the beach, so we cruised out there and checked it out. It was really murky, but we saw quite a bit of sea life. Lots of big starfish. Lots of sea cucumbers and a few baby John Dory. I was wondering where the big ones were and hoping they were being chased by sharks somewhere else.

It was fantastic. And the first dive we've done together. It was nice cruising below the waves holding hands (ok, enough of me being soppy!). Andy was amazing with his directions too. We got back to where we were meant to surface but couldn't see the anchor rope, so surfaced anyway, and as we broke the water, I could almost reach out to touch the boat. WOWEE! He did GOOD!

It was all going so well, until I drove back to the beach, I tried to make the boat go faster and there was just no grunt. Andy told me I should be going slowly anyway, so we didn't think too much about it.

But as we all got back on the boat to leave, it stayed that way, there was just no grunt in the motor. We were going so slowly.

We went through all the checks. We even dived under the boat to see if there was something stuck around the motors blades. We rang Rob to see if he'd had this problem before, and then realised the tempurature guage was on. Eeeeeek. So we made an executive decision to use the auxillary motor and cruise slowly back home. Only that motor wouldn't start. Then finally did start but cut out shortly after.

At this point the kids were starting to get a little worried. And it was getting on in time, so we called the coastguard. We were able to tell them where we were. What had happened etc etc. Within minutes they were with us.

A huge big boat with "lion" on the side. It was pretty cool. The kids were very excited as they towed us to a sheltered bay where we put all children and women on board, then they towed the boat with the boys on board back to base.

We chatted to the guys on board who were really lovely. Dan went to sleep and the kids were so excited to be on this big boat and be able to see everything. We were able to sit at the 'computer' area which Matt thought was amazing. And to be honest, so did I. We heard alot of calls being made for people needing help and were glad we had called when we did. We might have been stuck out there a lot longer otherwise.

We finally got back around 6.30pm and left the boys to clean up while we took the kids home for dinner.

They were exhausted. So were we. And there went our 'afternoon' to decorate the Xmas tree.

And all I kept thinking was how grateful I was it didn't happen the day before when Andy had taken a friends hubby and kids out on the boat. Now that would have been embarrassing! LOL.

Still it was a wonderful day and we were/are very grateful for the Auckland Coastguard who saved our bacon. Guess what we're now members of? Yep, the Auckland Coastguard. LOL.

Back tomorrow with more stories of our Xmas prep.

Comments

[Vicki]

Wow - now thats an adventure and a half! Will we be seeing you on TV now? LOL. Its amazing the places you get to find on a boat and the photos are stunning.

[Penny]

Whoops! So glad it turned out okay. :) Another story for the scrapbook eh? Heh heh.

[Hannah]

Wow, amazing adventure! Hope the boat is okay or can be fixed easily. The beaches you visited are so beautiful - I have never been there, but now I want to!
And yummmmmm ... scallops!

[mandyb]

Gosh you have all the excitement in your family.... glad you got 'rescued' and made it home in one piece...

[Jane]

That is an awesome event. Well, it wouldn't have been if it hadn't gone so well. But, how exciting.