Saturday 8th April was a
beautiful day – sunny and with a dying southerly, and fortunately
the worst of my fever had passed through the night. Matt and Laurie
were heading across Cook Strait too, planning to spend some time in
the Marlborough Sounds before they sailed onto Nelson, their final
destination where they hoped to pick up work. Another convoy and more
company on the water!
We sailed out from Royal Port Nicholson
just after 9.30am, our timing planned to suit the tides across the
strait and into Tory Channel. After two hours we had motored out of
the harbour and turning west I unfurled the genoa, rather ragged
after its battering down the Wairarapa Coast. We slowly moved past
the southern Wellington coast, staying at least 3 miles offshore
to skirt around the worst of the Karori Rip. We had the tide against
us and the remnants of an uncomfortable sloppy 2m swell, and it was
not until we were due south of Cape Terawhiti that the tide turned in
our favour, shooting us across the strait at 6-7 knots. Despite the
dying southerly it was still bitterly cold, and not being very well I
felt a bit shakey and vulnerable out in the strait – I was pleased
that Honey knew what to do, and after pointing her in the direction
of Tory Channel she gamefully crossed the sea back to the South
Island.
At 4.30pm I crossed over the track that
Honey and I had set 3 months earlier when we had sailed to the Sounds
from Lyttelton. I had completed my circumnavigation of New Zealand!
Huddled in the cockpit I didn't have the energy to celebrate, instead
focussing on reaching our anchorage in Tory Channel – I figured a
circumnavigation probably doesn't count until safely reaching port.
King Billy I shot through Tory Channel
into the Sounds just after 6pm with Honey following closely behind.
With the day drawing to a close we motored through the channel,
heading to Hitaua Bay where I was hoping we could pick up a club
mooring, and enjoy a last peaceful night aboard, sheltered from the
wake of passing ferries. It was dark when we arrived in Hitaua Bay
and I picked up the mooring, with King Billy I rafting up alongside
Honey. We had made it back to the South Island! After a celebratory
meal with Matt and Laurie, I turned in early for my last sleep on
Honey.
It was a stunning day when we woke the
next morning – blue skies and calm seas, the Sounds at its best!
After hugs and good-byes to Matt, Laurie and King Billy I, Honey and
I were on our way by 9am. As I motored around Dieffenbach Point and
the short distance to Waikawa, I reminisced on all the fantastic
times that Honey and I had enjoyed over the last few months, and on
our previous circumnavigation of the South Island and Stewart Island.
From my time on Honey I really felt like I had grown into an
accomplished sailor, she had seen me safely through all sorts of
weather, and I had had some of the best experiences of my life with
her. I had already decided I would put Honey up for sale when I
finished my circumnavigation – I had bought her so I could do sail
around New Zealand, and now that was complete I wanted her to go to
someone who would take her on new and different adventures – this
short run into Waikawa marked the end of an era.
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| Looking back at where we had come before entering Waikawa Bay |
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| Waikawa - the end of the adventure |
Mum and Kai wanted to greet me on the
breakwater when I arrived. I slowed Honey to a stop in Waikawa Bay
until they arrived and got into position, and then Honey and I
motored into the marina enjoying the waves and cheers from my small
welcoming party. I had officially completed my solo circumnavigation
of New Zealand on Honey!!
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