Day 19 - Sat 19th Feb

Last full day on board - sailing as crew today so will get some grinding exercise on winches (Lewmar 66's!) Depart Tawa Bay in Tory Channel at 09.45 and raised main with first reef in place. Sailed across to Arthurs Bay in Bay of Many Coves, arriving at 11.45 with me on helm duty. Went ashore for coffee and showers (ist shower since Blenheim - phew!)  Cloudy day with variable winds forecast, light SE at 10kn am- picking up to  stronger 20kn, gusty winds this afternoon. Motored out of Arthurs Bay to enjoy lunch underway, passing other sailboats heeling and flying colourful genakers in the stronger winds in Queen Charlotte Sound. Sudden heels caused us to lower the main sail and continue with genoa only. Still reached 7.5kn on broad reach with just the foresail! Motored past mouth of Picton Harbour to view large dinghy race - at least 50 small Opti boats and the odd Laser 1 sailing around, looking like white caps in the distance, hearing the squeals of delight form the kids! Took loads of photos and imagined this sight with my Learn to Sail program in Gibsons - maybe one day!!!
16.00 motored into Lochmara Bay to moor/raft up for last time and dinghy ashore for 6pm BBQ dinner at Lochmara Lodge - very swanky. Live band playing outside (English girl from London called Savannah!) Enjoyed fresh lamb kebabs, fat sausages, steak, lemon fish (which is really shark - delish!) Treated myself to two glasses of champagne to celebrate this 259 mile sea voyage in Bay of Islands and Marlborough Sounds, and my ability to skipper, adapt to larger boats, and cope with real personality mix of the group. Every day a new challenge and the overall experience - unforgettable! Well done me!!!
Oh, and bought the CD's from the band so will try and send this sometime, somehow. Cheers to all of you back in freezing cold Canada, and to all the sprinkled friends and family everywhere. New Zealand is is beautiful place, as I have said before, and I am so blessed to be here and to have been able to visit. If there is a next time, I will dive in the warmer waters of Bay of Islands in the turquoise waters and hope the dolphins come to swim alongside me, and I will sail with a small, intimate crew with good music and quieter moments to savour. It is hard to take this all in and no doubt this blog has whet your appetite to visit NZ too - at least I hope so. One last word to my great g.friend Sherida - everything you ever told me about your "beloved land" is true and although you didn't manage to fulfill your dream to emigrate here, we will return one day - perhaps even together!!! I have lived some of this for you and you have never been far from my thoughts. Love to you all and thanks for sharing this blog with me on gillie's fantastic voyage!!!!!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx