Getting airborne again
We woke this morning to the peaceful backdrop of Resolution Bay, still waters and native birds. A lazy start saw crew still rising after 9am, but by 9:30am we were ready to lift the anchor and go. With 110 metres of chain out, John did a great job layering it into the anchor bin as it came up.
Salt Lines and Silver Fern anchored at Blumine Island
Matt directed Silver Fern out of the bay as we motored the 4nm to Blumine Island, where we anchored 60m from the shoreline. 3 RIB rides later, the crew were all ashore (except Matt who stayed on anchor watch). I took my drone the the beach, keen to fly it for the first time since early 2023, after it was replaced following a collision with a fishing trawler in Tasmania.
My personal water taxi
Matt ferrying the crew ashore at Blumine
The first flight went to plan and I captured some great aerial footage of the surrounding bay and island, while watching a weka out of the corner of my eye, after it kept trying to steal my bag. We had a great day ashore hiking and exploring and this was followed up with a rather brave swim around Silver Fern by Emma, Chris and Kevin.
Weather planning with Jess & Sharon
Johnny lands baby shark #1 for the day
Johnny the hunterer, gatherer and master-chef landed two baby sharks by 9am (and threw them back) and did a great job cooking up fresh-frozen paua from Stewart Island, that we had i the freezer. Chris tried his hand at fishing, only to catch a barracuda, which again was given a new lease of life.
Ray serving Stewart Island Paua
The weka stalking me
A blue cod had a bad day, after it was hooked on our boat rod and chased in by 2 barracuda. As our crew removed it from the hook and returned it to the water, a shag swooped it up and gulped it down before the barracuda had a second chance.
The crew returning to Silver Fern in the RIB
The crew had a great time ashore with Kevin, Emma and Chris spending several hours on the hike before returning to Silver Fern for a quick dip in the 18 degree water and lap of Silver Fern.
Kevin, Emma & Chris returning from the Blumine Island hike
Kevin, Emma and Chris take a dip
The Paua demolition is almost complete
Once the fun was over, we motor sailed around the east side of Blumine to Wharehunga Bay, to do a drive by, of the waterfront country villa that Johnny had spent years visiting as a young boy, when his family farmed the island.
Nothing like the flutter of fresh laundry
Let the fishing comp begin!
The final stop for the day was Ship Cove, where we’ll anchor overnight before hiking to the waterfall and Cook Monument. Next we’ll undertake the 4 hour hike to Furneaux Lodge, where Silver Fern and Salt Lines will meet the crew and anchor overnight.
David