Paroa Bay, Waiwhapuku Bay & Omakiwi Cove

...Monday morning was spent reconfiguring the inside storage system to accommodate the impending arrival of the female crew-members with their 'gentle' insistence of some space in this seemingly overly male-orientated vessel "full of gadgets and stuff!"

Who am I to argue, I muttered under my breath while sweatingly re-organising all my important things into less- obvious places - I just hoped i would remember the new locations when I came to look for something...

Water tanks full, morning coffee imbibed, showered, shaved and shampooed - I couldn't have been more ready when the luxury El-Cheapo limo rolled gently into the carpark mid-afternoon (looking laden to the gunwales).  Naturally I made no comment when much of the cargo consisted of essential supplies like chocolate and nibbles!

All good, we quietly slipped mooring lines and coasted out into the estuary in search of sun, quiet bays and warm water... and mindful that this was just a day before New Years eve, possibly the most congested time of year for Ipipiri.

Paroa Bay

Heading toward the ubiquitous Opunga Cove under a delightful sailing breeze, we quixotically decided to veer south and steered into Paroa Bay for the night with a dying SW ensuring a quiet night.  All that was left was for the Skipper to cook dinner, make coffee and provide the hand-made Rocky Road for general consumption.

RJ enjoying Chocolate while taking her ease post-dining in the cockpit

Waiwhapuku Bay

The next morning, general consensus was that a east facing sandy bay was in order and that Roberton Island was possible (too windy) but Waiwhapuku Bay would be perfect - and thus it turned out to be (see pics)

Sisterly Belles above Waiwhapuku Bay

Gorgeous View!

 With a predicted change to NE already taking place mid-afternoon, we up anchored and head-sailed gently across to Omakiwi Cove, where a number of like-minded souls had gathered to see in the new year.  SWMBO declined to surface for a last photo op in 2013 citing "bad hair day" issues  but a retiring view can be glimpsed in the Great Cabin shot below... 

The above map shows some of the tracks - I must have been a little distracted and forgot to turn the data-logger on a couple of times... but you get the general idea!

New years day 2014 dawned clear (I was up to see the sunrise!)- but the "too bright too early" aphorism turned out to be accurate as we scuttled back to Opua under darkening skies and the heavy downpours intermittently occluded the beautiful scenery past Tapeka Point and home to the berth.

I did enjoy the hour or so of quiet this morning as I reflected back on 2013 while sitting drinking a nice cup of Ceylon black...  I thought of the moments of significance that had passed my way (Facebook helpfully gave me 2013 in review without me even  asking!)

Some of the moments had been more kataphatic - the beauty of the islands and the sheer joy of sailing again, the delightful exuberance and heart-warming wonder of grandchildren, the times of camaraderie with paddling buddies, good coffee and good friends.

Other experiences,  have been much more in the apophatic tradition - a welcome place for an introverted mystic! Such moments have included the privilege this morning of sitting in a quiet bay enjoying the pristine beauty of God's creative handiwork, of gentle walks and the companionship of Ash along the way, the weeks Silent Retreat at Sana Casa in Queenscliff, the loving support of my dearly beloved...

It's not hard to find some very good reasons to give thanks for the year past and anticipate the serendipitous grace and presence of God in the year to come.

Nanny and pa timed their arrival well as I headed toward the obligatory morning coffee at Diana's cafe and we imbibed as the girls enjoyed their welcome home hot showers.

Dinner at the OCC concluded a great three days of sailing as the sun set over Opua hill...