After stowing the last of our bags the journey began at around 10:00am. Checks complete we lined BAZ up on Taupo runway 35 and were soon airborne on the first leg to Ardmore airport near Auckland. The high frequency radio (HF) newly installed in BAZ had not been tuning reliably and we needed to have a replacement coupler unit fitted. HF radio provides long range voice communications which are necessary for flights over the ocean or in remote areas. The lunch-box sized component had been overnight couriered from Australia for South Pacific Avionics to install, but we didn't count on NZ Customs taking several hours to process the package. Never mind, we had a car courtesy of South Pacific Avionics so it was off to visit Dennis and Julie at their office and take them to lunch. Sandra and I were waiting at DHL Auckland Airport when the package containing our coupler 'popped' out. Back to Ardmore, new coupler installed, test call to Nandi strength 5 x 5 and BAZ was off Ardmore at 5:00 pm for Kerikeri airport in the Far North. A beautiful flight across the Hauraki Gulf and into a sunset filled sky landing at Kerikeri just after sunset. Sorry Dennis, we did not see you waiving as we went past Maraeti Beach…!
For several days we had been observing a nasty weather system brewing in the Tasman Sea with a diminishing prospect the weather would be suitable for a flight to Norfolk before Sunday. This was confirmed after checking the weather this morning. Strong winds, rain and low cloud at Norfolk Island was definitely uninviting. However, the forecast looked promising for Sunday and so we enjoyed a relaxing day in Kerikeri.
Stone Store, Kerikeri
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