On the hard at South Pacific Gateway Marina for the winter. Wishing fair winds and calm seas to everyone sailing north.

Sitting out wind and rain at Smokehouse Bay by Great Barrier Island with a current barometric pressure of 995.

Wing on wing sail to Mercury Island. Lovely anchorage secluded for the time being.

Enjoying the Man O" War vineyard and the local trails on Waiheke Island.

Under the heading, "Better safe than sorry," we left our "hurricane hole" at Great Barrier and sailed to Gulf Harbour Marina near Auckland. At least we were able to watch the all female crewed boat in the Volvo Around the World race win the in-port race in Auckland harbour before they head off to their next stop in Brazil in a few days.

Had a lovely sail to Great Barrier Reef and anchored in Namaru Bay on the NW side. Relocated the next day to Kaiarara Bay near Port Fitzroy. The youth training tall ship Spirit of New Zealand is anchored nearby. We are watching the forecasts for Tropical Cyclone Pam as it heads toward New Zealand after projected landfull in Vanuatu.

After three enjoyable months in Whangarei Town Basin, we chopped off the roots and motored to the Hens and Chickens Island wildlife sanctuary and anchored in Boulder Bay. Nice to be rocked to sleep by the gentle swell.