Date: April 23rd, 2010
Despite strong protests from Pete, we have picked up another passenger. “Jerry” will never forget his night in Napier where he met the love of his life…“Jemimah”. Since their chance meeting, these two have become inseparable, traveling everywhere together in the back of either Nick or Jims aeroplane. We took off early from Napier in brilliant sunshine down the coast via Cape Kidnappers on track to Martinborough landing on a private strip owned by Pauline and Alistair. In true kiwi hospitality, they lent us their vehicle to get into town for lunch. As the weather was so settled we decided today was the day for crossing the Cook Strait. Having refueled, a quick check of the aircraft and doning life jackets we made our way from Turakirae Head on the south coast of the North Island over the Cook Strait to Omaka at Blenheim.
Date: April 23rd, 2010
Just a quick update. More photos coming later tonight. We’ve been battling wind and weather today. In Dunedin tonight. An update on our stats. – we have now done 41 hours flying in the tiger, travelled 2665 nautical miles (5000 km!!) which is equivalent to flying from Auckland to Brisbane and return (minus the duty free booze!!)
Date: April 21st, 2010
Overnight the wind had all but disappeared. Departed Tauranga and tracked along the coast for our first fuel stop and picnic lunch on the airfield at Opotiki in brilliant sunshine. The limp windsock was a welcome sight! Peter & Jerry hitched into town for fuel and was picked up and returned to the airfield by one of the locals, Kevin. The next leg from Opotiki took us around the coast to the lighthouse at the East Cape and then onto Gisborne. This is a very remote and rugged piece of NZ but the weather totally enhanced the trip. Into Gisborne for another fuel stop before a stunning flight at sunset to Napier. Thanks to Nigel at the Albatross Motel for picking us up and for a great nights stay.
Date: April 21st, 2010
Overnight the wind had all but disappeared. Departed Tauranga and tracked along the coast for our first fuel stop and picnic lunch on the airfield at Opotiki in brilliant sunshine. The limp windsock was a welcome sight! Peter & Jerry hitched into town for fuel and was picked up and returned to the airfield by one of the locals, Kevin. The next leg from Opotiki took us around the coast to the lighthouse at the East Cape and then onto Gisborne. This is a very remote and rugged piece of NZ but the weather totally enhanced the trip. Into Gisborne for another fuel stop before a stunning flight at sunset to Napier. Thanks to Nigel at the Albatross Motel for picking us up and for a great nights stay.
