Trip to RiverHead

Monday 21st January 2019 The Restaurant From the top of the steps we could just see the ferry The view from the inside the restaurant was beautiful We really enjoyed our meal

Monday 21st January 2019 Arrival at RiverHead We got there at 7:00 pm pretty well on the dot. We left the ferry moored at the Landing while ... ... we climbed up the stairs We had two and half hours before we were due to depart back to WestHaven.

Monday 21st January 2019 The Chelsea Sugar Factory, Kauri Point, Hobsonville and Herald Island We set off down the Waitemata passed the Chelsea Sugar Factory Then we went passed Kauri Point where the NZ Navy keep all their munitions well out of the way of any dwellings in case of any explosions. On the other side of the harbour was Hobsonville which used to operate as an airport, but is now a very large housing community development. Under the SH 16 Motorway bridge Then we had to get around Herald Island - named after Governor Hobson's ship - and avoid moored boats and fishing nets Once passed there we were on our way up the last leg of the trip to RiverHead

Monday 21st January 2019 Birkenhead The booking had all gone to plan so we were welcomed on board by Jacks - good name for a sailor. Once on board we climbed up onto the open top deck to have a look around ... ... and then we were off to BirkenHead where Duncan and Miriam were going to join us. We had to cross the Waitemata Harbour under the Harbour Bridge which is an impressive structure when seen from this viewpoint After 15 minutes of a rather choppy swell, there was BirkenHead ahead of us ... and there were Duncan and Miriam waiting!

Monday 21st January 2019 Travel to WestHaven We set off from home at about 2:00 pm. All good until we got off the Motorway at Nelson Street where we met roadworks that had closed Franklin Road off. Google Maps had a go at getting us to turn right onto Franklin Road again, until we took control back and headed off straight ahead hoping that Google would reconfigure itself, which it did. After a tortuous drive through skinny little streets with cars parked both sides, we got to West haven and Pier Z at 4:30 pm. There was a little cafe just to the left, but it was just closing down! Down below the pier were a whole lot of Shags We kicked our heels for half an hour till 5:00 pm when we were able to get down onto the pontoon and down to the end where the Red Boat Ferry had just arrived.