Date: April 21st, 2010
We left the North Shore Aero Club in 25 knots of wind (with 40 knot winds at 2000ft!!) The flight took us down towards the Auckland Skytower, Rangitoto and Waiheke Island before heading over the firth of Thames to the Corommandel Peninsula. The eastern side of the Corommandel proved challenging – at time we felt like a cork in a washing machine as we tracked further down the coast for a fuel stop and lunch in Whitianga where Julies Uncle Ross arrived to take us & Jerry into town. Felt good to be on tera-firma if only for a short time. Could of happily bailed on the next leg from Whitianga to Pauanui, but all was soon forgotten on arrival where coffee and freshly made pikelets were waiting for us. Pauanui to Tauranga improved slightly although we were holding about 40-50 degrees drift to offset the wind coming into Tauranga with 25-30 knots of wind on landing. Julies dad Ken was a welcome sight on the ground as we piled people and luggage into Kens ‘people-mover’ and headed home for a stiff drink and a recount of the days flying amongst the pilots and co-pilots!
Date: April 21st, 2010
We left the North Shore Aero Club in 25 knots of wind (with 40 knot winds at 2000ft!!) The flight took us down towards the Auckland Skytower, Rangitoto and Waiheke Island before heading over the firth of Thames to the Corommandel Peninsula. The eastern side of the Corommandel proved challenging – at time we felt like a cork in a washing machine as we tracked further down the coast for a fuel stop and lunch in Whitianga where Julies Uncle Ross arrived to take us & Jerry into town. Felt good to be on tera-firma if only for a short time. Could of happily bailed on the next leg from Whitianga to Pauanui, but all was soon forgotten on arrival where coffee and freshly made pikelets were waiting for us. Pauanui to Tauranga improved slightly although we were holding about 40-50 degrees drift to offset the wind coming into Tauranga with 25-30 knots of wind on landing. Julies dad Ken was a welcome sight on the ground as we piled people and luggage into Kens ‘people-mover’ and headed home for a stiff drink and a recount of the days flying amongst the pilots and co-pilots!
Date: April 19th, 2010
After leaving Wanaka on the 9th of April we have travelled around 1600 nm and the tiger has flown 24.5 hours. We have past the half way mark.
Date: April 19th, 2010
This is the life! A rest day today on board El Vencedor and Diva. Two of our group just happened to have a 40ft launch each – shame!! Spent the day relaxing off Onetangi Beach at Waiheke Island on the boats with a spot of fishing off Motatapu Island, loads of eating and many bottles of wine!! Karen taught us about phosphorous later in the evening from an inflatable dinghy. (what happens in camp….stays in camp!!). A huge thank you to Captains Denny & Val and Jim for looking after us and giving us a taste of the “high life”.
Date: April 19th, 2010
This is the life! A rest day today on board El Vencedor and Diva. Two of our group just happened to have a 40ft launch each – shame!! Spent the day relaxing off Onetangi Beach at Waiheke Island on the boats with a spot of fishing off Motatapu Island, loads of eating and many bottles of wine!! Karen taught us about phosphorous later in the evening from an inflatable dinghy. (what happens in camp….stays in camp!!). A huge thank you to Captains Denny & Val and Jim for looking after us and giving us a taste of the “high life”.
