Late afternoon, yesterday, the weather was gorgeous and we enjoyed watching the other boaters and people diving off boats and generally enjoying themselves.
As you can see, it was mid-morning before we up anchored. We decided to make the 10.30am bridge opening, and we just made it with 5 mins to spare.
The CG boats were in dock when we went through this morning.
The rest of the journey was not much fun, other than looking at a coastline that has pines and some sand dunes. We kind of hugged the coast as much as possible, but had to cross Grand Traverse Bay to get to Northport. We made the decision to go for fuel...we had 80 gallons left, without opening the reserve tank, (which gave us 170 gallons! Plenty) which we made the decision to do, just in case. This was going to be an expensive fill up.
Northport is inside Grand Traverse Bay, on the western side of the Bay.
The end of the peninsula is on the right of this chart, as we round the corner into Northport. You can see our track in the top of the chart.
We docked at the fuel dock just after 1pm. It took us an hour to fill up...638 of them! The pump was not a fast one.
Waz backed around, once fuelled up, and we carefully docked between the poles. There was no wind or current, so it was easy. For the first time ever, we put the Passarelle out to get off the boat. Waz is demonstrating it, here...looking bored, as usual, lol.
We had to do a little dance around our kiwi flag to get on and off tho. Once I put the curtain up at the back, we got off at the side.
The weather tomorrow is not supposed to be good, so we will stay a day and enjoy the town.
IT was 3.30pm before we actually got to go and find some lunch. We were too busy fuelling and docking before that.
This scene is opposite the Marina.
In town, the Mill is now an Ice-cream store.
We think this is attached to a Restaurant.
We have enjoyed entertaining with New Zealand wines!
I have to give special mention to our lunch at 3.30pm. We had been told to go to Barb's Bakery on the street around the corner. Apparently her donuts are legendary. Well, when in Northport, do as the locals do. Eat Donuts!
There weren't many donuts left by the time we ordered our coffee and buns. We ended up with two donuts...cake and baked, and a cinnamon twist (baked) and two cinnamon pinwheel buns (also baked). All were delicious, and though not our ideal lunch...all those carbs and sugars, but we didn't care, at that stage...just HUNGRY!
We didn't indulge in ice-cream afterwards, you might be relieved to know, lol. That would have to wait!
We cooked some steak for dinner...been hanging out for some good steak, but this wasn't that good. A pity. I cooked it Diane Style...one of our favorites.
We had pineapple cake for dessert, with whipped cream, of course....didn't I tell you I had a bakefest yesterday? Don't ask me what got into me to make cakes, but I did!
I whipped up a pineapple cake with fresh pineapple, which was delish....and an apple (we have apples that aren't nice to eat, so Im cooking with them) cinnamon raising cake. This one is the larger of the two, but not as good...I grated the apple, and in retrospect I should have made them chunks. Both are really moist, but ...well, the pineapple is the winner.
So...what to do with them all??? Cut them into portions and freeze them. We have dessert forever!
Ok, now I got that off my chest...:) Having prepared portions is good!
The Wifi was down on the Marina which didn't please us so I didn't get the blog written as planned. Bummer!
Not to worry...all is done now.
Tuesday!
We knew a stormy day was forecast, and we weren't disappointed to find a grey and rainy day appear at just after 7am. Not to worry. The weather changes greatly here within the daylight hours we are finding. Time to move on later??? maybe.
We put the laundry on while we went back to the bakery for breakfast. Donuts for brekky, anyone?
Well, sometimes you just have to DO IT! Dessert for breakfast. Wish we hadn't, in retrospect, but never mind. The bakery was packed with locals, and we had some interesting conversations with the folks at our big round table. This is very much a traditional type of bakery...no bread, and most donuts, and pastry type desserts, Danish kind.
We had coffee with our donuts. I had a custard filled, chocolate covered donut! Waz had a cream cheese, strawberry Danish pastry. We also had a fresh cherry and blueberry muffin each. Excellent, though I still think I make better muffins!:)
The weather cleared somewhat during the morning, but the wind was still creating a rock and roll out on the lake, past the breakwater.
Our dock neighbors went out this morning, all suited up in their rain gear.
De had already decided to stay another day/night.
The Marina has been well laid out and the facilities are excellent...including the FREE washer and dryer. They do hold your driver's license while you hold the door key to the laundry, though:)
Today we cleaned the boat inside...well, I did, while Waz attended to the engine room et al. I vacuumed the floors and wiped all the walls down. It is amazing how dusty these shiny wood walls get.
A damp rag us my best friend most days. The bugs are driving me crazy...everywhere...big and little, and the spider poo is terrible to behold. How to get it off the gel coat on the boat is beyond me.
Anyway...
after a Tonkatsu dinner with smashed squash and broccoli, tomato and sour cream for the broccoli, we went to the supermarket for some more veg. I didn't find what I wanted yesterday, and there was less choice today, but I was able to make some other choices today. Canteloupe, and some ready to eat nectarines. Oh well!
We were going to walk more tonight, having already walked this afternoon, but the supermarket visit put paid to that idea. It is cooling off outside and a jacket was called for at the last minute.
So here we are, sitting watching a food show...Food Fighters...sheesh:)
Early to bed tonight as we are off early in the morning to Frankfort. This is going to be an 8 hr day, I think.
Ciao for now...we are all caught up!
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