[password]8Tarnhows
[position]36 09.9s 175 21.6e
[status]
Scribe Bill has disembarked and I?m taking over his job with strict instructions from Skipper( aka husband) to keep it short.
Apparently my title is boss lady which I think is a bit rough... a lady through and through but Boss on the Boat I am not !
Anyway back to our journey so far..
We left Whitianga ( pronounced Fittyanna)
On Wednesday and tootled up the most stunning coastline to the Mercury Islands where we overnighted.
Thursday we continued North to Great Barrier Island under sail so there was wind( no idea about direction of this wind)
I believe we were traveling at around 8 knots.
My sort of sailing when you can drink a cup of English Breakfast without it spilling into your lap.
Anchored in Smoke House Bay(recommended by fellow sailor in Mercury Bay)
Beautiful spot with shore facilities set up by a sailor for other such types .. only water access.
An open air bath ( rain water heated by a wood stove)library of well read books and an oven for smoking fish or cooking a pizza or in our case baking our spuds.
A pleasant evening was spent ashore chatting to other boaties.
Today we enjoyed a wee tramp( in Australian, a short walk)in a protected area free of possums , stoats and Norwegian rats .. not sure about rats of other nationalities.!!
Saw a few kauri trees ( actually climbed one of said trees with the help of a swing bridge and a ladder)and some Moho Pererus( banded rails )
Amazing dinner at a run down boat club in Fitzroy..
all organic with freshly baked bread... I purchased a lunge scarf made from alpaca wool by a lass on a boat from Guatemala.
Hmm better close here as maybe I?ve gone over my word limit.!!!!!
Libby

There?s white caps on the water
The clouds are low and grey
The wind is in the mainsail
We?re rolling home today
There?s landmarks are familiar
Slip by the larboard side
And meanwhile in the cockpit
The crew enjoy the ride
Their heads are full of memories
Laid down in recent days
Of the sea and all it?s wonder
It?s crafty, fickle ways
It?s a cruise of self discovery
Of ones capacity for awe
Of simple truths of nature
Of what a life is really for!

Poet

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