KATIPO is home again !!

We picked up our mooring buoy in the estuary at Shelly Park at about 1.00 pm today after a long cool night sailing in winds from 14 to 28 knots from near Bream Head to Waiheke Island, where we arrived off Gannet Rock at dawn. From there we motor-sailed the last few miles into a fresh SW wind to home.  Denise was waving from the end of the sandspit, it was great to see her. 

Denise, Ted and I had a hearty lunch  and had a few laughs together. Then Ted boarded the local ferry to take him into Auckland and home.  Ted has been an excellent fellow to sail with.  He has covered many sea  miles over the years and has much experience.  He is someone you can rely upon and is not one to panic.  Thanks Ted for all you contributed  to this voyage and the earlier leg from Auckland to Rarotonga.

Later in the day Lee, Angela, and grand children Zoe and Olivia came to welcome me home.  Lee helped when I moved Katipo into her usual mooring place in the estuary outside our house. Shay and Jo arrived from Auckland City and Shay helped us tidy up on board. I had a yarn to Tim on the phone so quite a family home coming.

My  neighbours gave a gave a cheer as Katipo sailed in and held up a welcome home banner - fantastic.

What next ??  lots of catching up to do and some painting on our house. A few jobs to do on Katipo.
 I will certainly be writing a short summary about the voyage in the course of the next few days - the high lights, changes to be made etc.