Home again, naturally.

Arrived home around midnight last night after the much travelled 14 hr car-bus-train-car--plane experience once more, dear friends...

Such a full and satisfying last two weeks with Birthdays, BBQ's and Bay of Islands sailing experiences on some brilliant days.  So, where do I begin...

Sister Catherine arrived on the 13th Feb and we promptly set off to re-provision in KeriKeri - including some nicely vacuum packed select meats from the bespoke Churchill Butchers. Back to Opua and out into the Bay with a couple of misty days then clear weather once more for some serious Lilo time and cove-cruising with Fenton and Barb in Hirondelle ll. No Dolphins this time but warm days and blue skies.  Visited some of our favourite haunts with a couple of new bays - it would take more than a few weeks to visit every possible anchorage.  

Back on the Marina we were delighted to welcome Graham and Jan on the 20th - over from the UK for two weeks and staying at the delightful 'Knock 'n Bottle ' historic cottage for the first week.  The weather stayed kind and we slipped into their bay to pick them up for an overnighter out amongst the islands.  A still night at Parorenui with barbequed snags and some libations was a great introduction to BoI cruising.  Even better was the anchorage in WaeWaetorea passage where Graham was able to 'spot' the elusive and endangered NZ Dotterel  for the first time.  Heading back to base in a wonderful broad reach we passed through myriads of sea-birds meticulously identified by Sir Graham who was in seventh Heaven on the foredeck!

The next day was a 'rest' day as we prepared for the next round of visitors as Cathy headed south to meet Amber, Ted and Jonathan on yet another 'red-eye' from Oz.  They stayed in Ngunguru with Barry and Ruby overnight and then we welcomed the irrepressible TedFred and his entourage on the 24th with PFD's and harnesses pre-prepared!

PoppaG and the lively TedFred - Sally's @ Russell

The glorious summer weather continued and we had a marvellous day out at Roberton Island, returning to the Bayview accommodation that evening.

Saturday 25th was 'The Birthday BBQ' and we welcomed more than 20 family and friends for the lunch-time celebrations.  What a fantastic setting looking up the estuary towards Paihia and it was great to catch up with cousins, uncles and 'old' friends who had made the effort to travel north for the weekend.

BBQ - some of the gathered family and friends

Sunday 26th was going to be a sleep-in day but Grant had arranged for Mother and daughter to go Parasailing (on Cathy's 'Bucket-List' )

so it was after midday before the two yachts set off with a Motley Crew into a building and very fine sea-breeze heading for a afternoon swims, an evening anchorage with drinks at dusk and a shared evening repast...
 Brilliant!  Motoring home later that night navigating a moon-lit channel through calm waters and balmy skies remains a special memory...

The last couple of nights sharing time with family included fish 'n chips on the Russell foreshore and kayaking the foreshore...

Sir Graham in the Iqyaq paddling in...

 We sat on the verandah reflecting on the time Mum and Dad had spent in this location and the memories we had of family 'boating' experiences - some of which were both memorable and challenging!  It was great to re-live those experiences and to give thanks for those shared times and memories. 

I give thanks for the gift of grace in the gathered experience we were privileged to share together.  Thanks be to God!

Lots of tracks #Feb2017