Update

Here is an update to our status: 

It is still blowing cats and dogs out of the trees (as a Kiwi would say). No wind tomorrow. Both not good for us to leave for Nelson, so we're stuck here for a while. Unluckily that means that Sibylle and Peter are better off to continue their travel on land as we probably won't be able to sail them to Nelson in time for their flight back. We have to check the weather again tonight. 

Marcus has dismantled the motor. In the meantime, oil is back in and we started the ignition to let it turn so that the oil is distributed everywhere. A good sign was that at least this worked. Volvo Service mechanics from Riverside Whangarei, who's mal work is the cause for this whole dilemma, are sending some parts down to put the engine back together. But they are not willing to send a mechanic for help fix the trouble they caused…Thank god Marcus so far succeeded with the work. Let'S pray that the engine did not encounter any damage from the water. It had never run with water in it, so the water just sat in the pistons. Hard to imagine doing that out at sea with 3m cross sea - as Marcus had just read from a sailor. 

A super nice Kiwi (as they always are), Adam, came by our boat yesterday - he saw our trouble. He offered help, shelter, hot shower, Stay overnight in his house etc. Just lovely they guys. I called him today and he picked me, Sibylle and Peter up and drove us to town so we could buy what we needed (Marcus needed a wrench; we needed bread). What a lovely guy. He said he always drives out to new sailboats as no one comes in here on free will but only if they are in trouble or need a shelter - because the winds here are bad. Right now Cook Street, which we have to cross borderline, has daily gale warnings, meaning winds of more than 8 Bft (34knots).

Here are some pix of outside damage…Poor Alita. She was beautiful for two weeks….