Together in Kerikeri

Dave and Don in ZK-WLK, Bill in ZK-WLL and I assembled in Kerikeri today ready for our trip across the Tasman.  My 2.9hr flight from Paraparaumu was challenging in parts with strong westerlies all the way and rain interrupting my track.  We're obviously already a tight team as Dave and Don arrived from North Shore, Bill from Ardmore (Auckland) and I all arrived within 15mins of each other.

Bill's RV-7 ZK-WLL, Dave's RV-8 ZK-WLK and my RV-6 ZK-VRV on arrival in Kerikeri

We're grateful to John Nicholls of Bay of Islands Aero Club for arranging hangar spaces for our three aircraft. They're much happier indoors and sheltered from the showers that have been passing through all afternoon.

This afternoon we've been re-checking all our plans and equipment. Fortunately with a few minor exceptions our plans are all in sync and the only equipment we're missing is Bill's toothbrush and toothpaste which his wife Anne has confirmed are in their usual place at home!

We're all set for a departure to Norfolk Island tomorrow morning. We've agreed we'll probably stay at Norfolk until Thursday to let a cold front pass through the Tasman Sea. There's a nice big high pressure zone following the front which should provide calm and clear conditions for the trip into Lord Howe  Island for fuel and then onto Port Macquarie.