We have finally arrived at Echo Echo’s resting ground for 2017. Her hull is still very grubby, but the cockpit is clean again and the decks so so. We arrived late yesterday afternoon and anchored just opposite the marina. We had booked to come into the marina today and timed it to enter at slack tide, as we have been warned that this marina is difficult to get into the berths. We enjoyed this passage to Tauranga, day sailing our way down and the weather we had was glorious, even if the wind was a little light on.

My last blog was from Smokehouse Bay two days ago. As we were leaving Smokehouse Bay at Great Barrier Island we noticed a boat that we recognized. It was Dale on Dragonsbane. We called him up on the radio and he was also going to Tauranga. As our chartplotter in the cockpit had malfunctioned and constantly was turning itself on and off continuously we have been unable to use it. We said to Dale that we would follow him out the narrow channel as well as use our Ipad to see if there were any shallow patches or obstacles. As we were both going in the same direction, I said to him that I would keep in touch with him on the journey. We had a great saiingl day and it was so good, as there was no swell and we used our gennaker in the light winds. We were doing between 5-7 knots all day and cruised along. The only frustrating part was the lack of a chartplotter in the cockpit. During the day, Dale stayed within viewing range of our boat. Late in the afternoon, when it was time to consider where to anchor we looked at our options.

We chose to go to Boat Harbour as we could make it by 7 pm and there would still be heaps of daylight after that. The sun doesn’t set until about 8:20pm. I told Dale of our plans and he liked that option as well. Once anchored Dale came over to our boat for dinner. I was making a curry and there was enough for three people. He bought over some wine and beer and we had a lovely night chatting. His wife Tanya has gone to Australia to visit her sister and I think Dale enjoyed having company. The bay was not large, but ended up being very protective and it was a scenic spot.

The next morning we got up early to get a start to Tauranga. We decided that we would go all the way to Tauranga and anchor close to the marina ready to enter at slack tide the next day. Dale decided he would try to get into the marina that day. It was another beautiful day, although we did have to motor sail part of the time. We got to see 6 orcas and the largest one was banging his tail on the water. We were not sure if he was being aggressive or playing but it was an impressive display. We have been lucky this trip to also see a huge pod of dolphins swimming along beside our boat. They did this for ages and I hope the videos I took work out. In the afternoon Neil turned the engine off and we sailed for a while at 2-3 knots. It was going to be the last time we sailed for a while, so I think he wanted to enjoy the last day. He also got the fishing rod out, plus our hand line to try to catch a fish. But unfortunately we didn’t catch anything on the journey to Tauranga. We also tested our water maker to see if it leaked and it didn’t so that is wonderful news for us. Next week we will have to pickle it for long term storage which is not a nice process as it involves using this horrible toxic chemical.

Going down the coastline of New Zealand, I said to Neil that it was one of the best scenic coastlines we have sailed. Lots of bays, small towns and beaches. We really need to spend more time cruising this coast and there are so many islands so close by off the coast. As we approached Tauranga, it felt weird to see tall buildings and my first thought was of Florida. It has been a long time since we have seen such a big city with high rise buildings. The last time would have been Panama City. I actually didn’t like the feeling at first, as I wanted the boat to turn around and go back to one of the small islands. The lure of the city doesn’t have the same appeal as it used to for me. It also made me realise that our journey has now come to an end. I was on the verge of tears as Neil and I both felt a little sad to enter Tauranga. He did say he was excited to see his family, as was I, but not knowing when we can continue the sailing seems to make it a lot harder to accept the end. The good thing is we are both positive about wanting to sail in the future and all that we have experienced has not put us off the idea.

Coming into the marina this morning was a little tricky and they do have a guy called Brett who cruises around in a dinghy with a big bumper on the front to bump you into the berths. He did say the marina is not an easy one to enter and one of the hardest in the world. Great, is what I thought and that made we feel a little nervous. We had line and fenders reader and I gave him lines as well which he took to the berth ready for us. It took two attempts as the current/wind not only was pushing us into the berth but sideways as well. We got in with Brett bumping gently our stern to keep it straight while Neil reversed into the berth. We wanted to reverse so that we could get visitors to enter the transom from the floating dock. This was going to be easier for Neil’s dad to get on board.

We had only just arrived and had not finished tying the lines when Neil’s mum and dad, plus friends of theirs arrived. It was lovely to see them and we helped them on board. A short time later Neil’s sister Anne, and Warwick with Jack and Meg arrived as well. We all had fish and chips wrapped in paper for lunch as that is what Neil requested. I had offered to make lunch for everyone, but Neil’s mum said fish and chips was fine for them and she was happy to buy them for everyone.

Once Neil’s family had gone we saw Dale who is in the berth opposite us and we also went to see Laurie and Chris on Moonraker. Laurie was not there, but we saw Chris and invited them for drinks tomorrow night. Tomorrow morning we are getting picked up by Neil’s mum to go and get a few groceries and then we will go back to their house. In the afternoon we will probably visit Anne and Warrick at their place. A day off from the boat. Starting Monday, it will be a busy week, as we need to start working on what we need to do to prepare the boat to be left for a year. I will leave Tauranga on December 12 and so a lot to do before I leave.