Well, it seems as if today is the end of our 2016 sailing season ending with a champagne reception last night on Aros Mear with David, Gitte and Hans Christian and lifting out the water here in Port Whangarei this morning.

In our few days here it is apparent the New Zealanders have fully embraced Health & Safety with rules for this and that, signs to warn you of stuff and demands for certificates of conformity. Me? Conform? Seems like most things with the exception of lifting yachts.

For the first time we stayed aboard, couldn't get off in fact, as the boat was lifted what seemed like 20 metres in the air with us quaking and dangling in the breeze in some fairly dirty old slings. It wasn't as much fun as I'd envisaged.

Anyway, here we are, all propped up in our long term summer berth ready to leave for Christmas run home then 3 or 4 months of touring on land when we get back.

It's been a long year. Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Galapagos, Marquesas, Tuamotos, Tahiti and Society Islands, northern Cools, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand.

"We've moved and we've kept on moving,
Proved the points that needed proving
Lost the friends that needed losing.
Found others on the way......"

Lots of them great cruising buddies. The Californian surfer boys on Windekind, Florian and Julian the musicians.......and Dave! The latter entertaining us for countless nights like the pro he is, Sven and Lisa, the Cape Horners, Trev and Jan booming across the airwaves blowing wax from everyone's ears at morning call, Team Van Keddesi. Jane and Russell, New Zealand's own Dame Edna. David and Gitte (Gitte, who finally succumbed to my charms and good looks and suggested we go below and look at her etchings) and many more. Too many to mention.

Hi and thanks to all.

Here it is by numbers:

- 23 days as longest passage (2,980 miles)
- 31 different islands
- 32 nights on a mooring
- 46 days on the hard (Jamaica)
- 62 nights at sea
- 65 nights in marinas
- 159 nights at anchor
- 265 hours under engine
- 8,559 miles sailed (equivalent of sailing Largs to Tarbert every day for ten months?!!!


The Time Bandit Blog will keep going but probably less frequently. Please drop in now and again, but do come back in April next year when we prep to set off......somewhere.

Happy Christmas.