Whangerei, New Zealand    November 2015

We've come down the coast to Whangerei which is 14 miles up a river.   We decided to make Riverside Drive Marina our base while we were in NZ.   It's a bit funky,  but that's the way we like it. Its a small place, with about 30 slips and a hardstand.     There's people here who have been here a long time, 10 years, as well as cruisers who have come back year after year.   Its a friendly group with a Sunday BBQ every week.   Up the river just a bit more is Whangerei Marina in Town Basin; they have the advantage of being right in town, so for local stuff you pretty much don't need a car.   We bought a car anyway so we could travel around New Zealand.  

Nearing our marina, you pass under a bascule bridge

Jenny from "Lady" (standing) organized a nice THanksgiving dinner at Reva's restaurant in Whangerei.

 This is the Sunday crowd for the weekly BBQ.  The marina keeps up this nice shelter with a gas BBQ for the cruiser's use.

 Friend, Walt and Jane, came to New Zealand for a month of touring sans Callisto.    They stopped in Whangerei for a visit and we had dinner at the tavern over the water in Parua Bay, a short ride from Whangerei.   DO you think Jim enjoyed his meat pie?   Indeed he did.

 We had a nice New Year's Eve dinner with the RDM crowd.