Weather windows etc.

Dare we say it, but there looks to be a reasonable window opening up later this week so we hope to be leaving then. We should be getting W-SW for a few days - ideal. So, fingers crossed. In the meantime we are holed up in the Opua Marina which is getting quite boring as there is not much to do here. We frequent the cafe which is really quite good and there are a number of walks. Jim walked from here to Paihia the other day along the foreshore which was pleasant and we are intending to do that again either today or tomorrow, whenever the rain stops!! Our diesel tanks are full; all we need to do now is a bit of re-provisioning and top up the LPG. We can only do either of these things in Paihia so we will need to organise some sort of transport. Jim will be stocking up on as many cheese Kranskys as will fit in the freezer in a bid to stave off the awful day when chickpeas are the order of the day! We were joking again that with losing weight at sea all he will be in the end will be a wisp of white hair floating about, in and out of the ether!! Not much different from now actually - particularly the floating about!! Not so much of the white hair just now though because Gina cut his hair yesterday. We found an outdoor seat overlooking the wharf (very picturesque) and the deed was done. These outdoor haircutting expeditions always attract a fair bit of interest and sometimes ribald comment from passersby. Gina does an excellent job and it's far more enjoyable than sitting in a barber's chair. Couple of personal comments:
Anna - we now have a very solid handle in the head; thank you for suggesting it.
Russell - we saw "Glyn Bird" the other day. She's moored by Marriott Is. in the Waikare Inlet just across from the marina. The wheelhouse and all the superstructure has been removed so it looks like someone is getting serious about restoration. Just hope that she is rebuilt in a suitable and sympathetic manner as befits an old lady like her.
We'll confirm the departure date once things become clearer.
Cheers and love again from Jim and Gina

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