Thursday 20 January Sailing into Auckland

City waterfront

It was a fabulous sail into Auckland all the way from Waiheke island to dropping the sails as we approached the marina entrance. Many big harbours are busy with shipping traffic, not Auckland, a few high speed ferries, a couple of fishermen in their dinghies and a couple of in bound yachts were the only other craft we saw. All the boats we didn't see out on the water were in Westhaven Marina, the biggest marina in the southern hemisphere, a council owned and run facility with 1432 berths of which 95% were occupied. We can only stay for 2 nights because they're fully booked.

Westhaven mariina

It's a 5 minute cycle ride from our dock to the office past 3 yachts clubs including the haloed RNZYS (Royall NZ Yacht Squadron) host of the America's Cup. Once checked in I zapped over to the big supermarket on my bike to do a big shop and arrange for a big van to deliver our goodies straight to the boat ater in the day. For once I didn't have to lug the bags – my sort of supermarket shopping!

Meanwhile David was in swindlery heaven – the biggest chandlery in the southern hemisphere. Except there wasn't anything we really needed. Across from Sailors Store I found a dive shop with booties to fit my mini feet in the half price basket; a win-win find.

One of the key reasons for coming into Auckland this week is to take delivery of a water heater to replace the one that was fitted when we bought Jackster. It was leaking water from the tank into the hot water circulating from the engine and increasing the level of water cooler in the engine. For once replaced under warranty without quibble. Amazing.