Day 20 - Sunday 20th Feb

Dept mooring buoy at Lochmara Bay, last boat to leave, at 08.20 bound for Waikawa Bay to return Millenium Spirit to her rightful owners at Charterlink. She has been a great ride, comfy boat, steady and responsive sail and coped with all 9 of us for 5 nights and 6 days - so three cheers for Millenium Spirit!!
Once docked at 09.30 - we had the tedious task of the clean up, garbage/recycling off load, luggage, dive gear, food etc. Bus to Blenheim airport at 10.45 and small plane at 12.50 to Auckland to connect with 20.15 flight to YVR. Took photos of Long Island from plane window - fantastic overview of Marlborough Sounds from the plane - that was us down there just yesterday! What an adventure!
Long transit time at Auckland airport - very bright, modern airport with loads of shops. Last souvenirs and Rugby World Cup T-shirts for Alex - even witnessed a live Haka at airport arrivals lobby with beautiful warrior-looking maori men. Rugby-obsessed country with replayed TV footage in every safe, bar and restaurant across the land. Bit like ice-hockey in Canada! Very swollen feet and ankles from sandfly bites at Lochmara Lodge last night giving me gip before the 13 hour flight so went to airport 1st aid and got antihistamene pill and ice pack. Will zone out on plane for sure with dinner, wine and movie.

Goodbye New Zealand and to our wonderful Kiwi hosts Richard and Enid for this past week sailing the Marlborough Sounds - and thanks for having me!