camp new zealand | A Family Afloat

Lots of exciting things and big changes for the Lauducci family in 2021.

We finally took Shawnigan out for a sail and not just a day sail, an 11 day stretch off the dock! The dock lines were almost cemented in place by this point, but we managed to untie them and sail across the Cook Straights and over to the Marlborough Sounds for a few weeks of summer bliss and an anchorage in front of our friend’s house.

Of course we also had more adventures in the camper, more school, and more work… and with more covid threats and mandates on the horizon, we started to brainstorm further about our future options for travel/living…..

One huge change for us was that Nina graduated high school and was set to return to the US. She flew back on January 24th, 2021 to live with her Auntie Tara, go to community college and work.

For the rest of this post, I will let the pictures do most of the talking to avoid any more delays with getting this post out (already almost 4 years overdue as it is!)

Sun’s out fun’s out! Ellamae and her friend Joy, and Taj got towed behind the dinghy in the bay just outside the marina.

Another quick camping trip lead us to “U pic-em” strawberry fields and more beaches for surf at Opunake.

Last family photo before Nina left for the USA.

Ellamae and Josie on the TRX while camping.

WE LEFT THE DOCK!!! 2 Week trip over to the Marlborough Sounds: January 11, 2021 – Jan 22nd. . Our sail over went smoothly. It was something I think we all missed.

And we’re off… finally left the dock and sailed to the Marlborough Sounds .

Living life off the boat was DEFINTELY something we all missed! First anchorage was Ketu Bay.

We made our way over to North West Bay to anchor off our friend’s property and spend time with them for a while. They had their boat moored off their property as well.

There was plenty to do around the property, a much appreciated feature when being anchored out.

Devil’s Staircase in the background and a view down to our boat from the peak itself.

Hike up Devil’s Staircase with Sue. We were greeted by goats at the top.

We even hunted a goat! Special thanks to Frank for his marksmanship skills and Sue for her butchering skills.

Along with the Nor West Bay Clan, we sailed over to the “Te Towaka Sports” event. Its an annual classic Kiwi multi-sport competition for adults and children which included a 3 legged race, sack race, wheel barrow race, cross country race, short sprint, gumboot toss, nail hammering and more.

Saying farewell to SV Tora family as we leave to make our way back to the North Island.

Our sail back on January 22 was lovely, but we weren’t quite ready to return to the dock life again. We were reminded of what our sailing life was like and missed it. This initiated some “what next” conversations.

2 days after getting back we spent one last day with all 3 kids before Nina flew off to the US.

January 24th: along with Nina’s friends, we went to the Wellington Airport to send her off. Bittersweet goodbyes. How on earth was it time for Nina to spread her wings already?!

Taj at the cafe in Plimmerton with the window serving table, our boat neighbor Morgan and Taj, Steve and his girls Amelia and Elli joined us at Zeelandia.

Quick weekend getaway before school started up the coast to Otaki and Nga Manu Nature Reserve. Yes, that’s a A2 RAW MILK vending machine!!!!

Moving into February….

Taj’s first day of Second Grade at Te Ra Waldorf School.

Ellamae’s first day at Raphael House Waldorf

Josie working on her TRX skills with her limited foot mobilty.

Christian worked on his foil pumping dock start skills.

Ellamae and friend, Joy, making homemade tacos in the boat galley, hanging with her new school mates and enjoying the warmer water at the marina.

We milked a bit more out of summer, despite school being back in session. We found that some of the hottest, less windy days in the Wellington area were in February. Our friends Steve, Amy and their kids Van and Beau joined us for a campout/surf trip down at Cape Palliser, which is the most southern tip of the North Island of New Zealand.

Ellamae joined teen CrossFit classes at 2 locations in Porirua.

We had a resident sting ray that we named “Bob” for he had a bobbed tail. He was very friendly and loved to be fed and touched. Ellamae’s friend, Joy, got to partake in the petting.

March brought Autumn weather; increased winds, apple orchard picking and beautiful lighting.

Christian was excited about the windy season, as you can tell by the pictures above.

The pigs at the apple orchard were very happy pigs, as they were fed all of the fallen apples.

Our fellow marina friend Danica’s baby shower included a manicure for all, including Taj. Other visible faces include Ellamae, Caroline, Janie, Tara and Eleanor (face not visible).

Josie did a lot of ocean swimming when her foot limited other activities. The water was cold !

Various fun things that felt sharable. Ellamae ice skating with friends, a giant tug-of-war at her school, more “ship shape” for Josie, freshwater eels, train station scooter bike hangout (it was only 5 min away from our boat) and Taj learning how to play the violin.

Christian took Taj for a multi-day hike. They worked hard on this one!

Happy 8th birthday to Taj! Grandma and Grandpa Facetimed for a bday song. He got a Harry Potter wand too!

Traditional Chocolate Chip Pancakes for Birthday Breakfast.,

He hosted Taj’s birthday party at the local indoor jump/trampoline place. Friends from his Playcentre school and his Waldorf school attended.

Taj school also had a celebration for his birthday.

We met with our US sailing friends, Leo and Laurel for breakfast and another celebration of Taj’s birthday.

April school holidays brought more camper vanning in Sharkie. Josie had her foot in a boot, but we were still able to explore a lot. And the kids got more “Kiwi Guardian” medallions. This time we went east and north up the south east coast of the North Island, all the way to just east of Gisborne.

Sharkie getting its 6 monthly “WOF” , which is a “warrant of fitness” to make sure it’s road safe.

Te Awa Beach, Napier- Freedom Camping right on the beach and at the pump track!

Te Whanganui – A – Orotu Ahuriri Estuary

Another beachfront freedom camping site.

Morere Springs offered hot pools to soak in.

We made it to “Gizzy” and camped at our friend Vicky’s house. Thanks Vicky!

Love how look for these Kiwi Guardian posts took us to some great little nature paths.

Footy hanging out at the beach in the boot while the rest of the family played.

We were hoping to see some Kiwis here, but we knew that it wasn’t realistic during the day time. We did run into a DOC worker though who had this cool kiwi tracker device. Apparently it picks up their calls. The kids got to try and were both given kiwi feathers that the man had just collected.