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Riverhead Ferry Cruise, 20th November 2011
It was 12-30pm and we were on board the MV Kawau Isle, a 45 foot
timber launch, the start of our cruise from Auckland downtown via
the upper harbour to Riverhead and back. There were 35 of us all
told. The day turned out bright and sunny, though with lots of cloud
and a very steady breeze for the first part of the day coming from
the north west. Just a few whitecaps, a good half metre chop, some
spray flying but not enough to put off the few intrepid ones sitting
up forward in the exposed open. The rest of us spread ourselves
comfortably through the main cabin, and spilling out into the
covered open stern area. We looked forward to a perfect day.
The estimated 20km took us around 1.5 hours to reach our
destination, the Riverhead Hotel. Seeing Auckland
environs from different vantage points was pleasant, and reminded
one how interesting the upper harbour can be.
Our host kept up an interesting patter as we went along, pointing
out features of interest, exotic places we hardly remembered or knew
about, like Hobsonville and Paremoremo. Half an hour into the trip
the waves became calmer as we generally hugged the northern
coastline, chugging along at a steady 8 to 10 knots. The harbour
seems much bigger when on the water, and looking at maps of the area
seems to support that impression.
As we got closer to our destination travelling up the
narrower confines of the upper estuary we slowed, ensuring we kept
to the unseen deeper but narrower channel and clear of the shallows.
It was 2 pm and disembarking most partook of the pleasant
pre-ordered hotel lunch, while a few of us had decided to be
independent and walked on to one of two reserve areas for a separate
lunch, before returning later to enjoy a cool drink. Our two hour
leisurely stopover done, we returned to the boat for our 4pm
departure
for home. The wind had largely died down leaving still a confused
light chop, some largish waves causing the boat to roll a little.
Very pleasant and relaxing. Arriving back in Auckland it became a
rapid walk back to Britomart hoping not to miss the next train for
Papakura leaving us not much time. But we all seemed to make it, and
were home by 6-30pm.
Norm Beazer
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