day 183
Miriam: Night is falling on Tuhua: the Kaka are screeching as they fly overhead, the Tui ringing their echoing bell tones in the canopy, the gulls nattering at one another as they settle in to roost. The veins of obsidian in the rock rising to the island’s heights gleamed in the last light of day. Today was brilliantly sunny and warm, a nourishing and restful day filled with naps and basking. We rose early and packed the armada in preparation to go to Tauranga for the sail part we need only to find out they don’t have it and so we got to spend one last day in this lovely place. I celebrated by heading out for a snorkel, navigating through the jellyfish to the point. There were less today and they are so beautiful as long as you can avoid the tentacles. The point was all surge tossed, white water and dancing seaweed and so many fish, more than I’ve seen yet in NZ including a huge Red Moki and a bunch of Butterfish. I swam through the sea cave and around the pinnacles, loving being moved by the swell and navigating the rough waters to safety.
Today marks half a year for Bluebird’s journey and we are preparing for the last passage home to Waikawa. I made brownies to celebrate. Watching the wind predictions for the days ahead it seems around midnight tonight is the ideal time to begin and we may just go straight through if the wind dictates that approach, about 500 miles ahead of us. We begin the liminal rhythms of passage and hope for safe sailing all the way home.
Naomi here Dear diary Tonight we ride for Renwick , Shields shall be splintered, spears shall be broken, a raw day, a red day, and the sun rises . (Love from Jamie). We are so well rested after today we won’t get tired at all on this passage :) we had a super tasty cheesy milky polenta with salamis and a side of broccolis so we are all well nourished and there will be NO GRIPING on THIS passage.
Jamie: the day will come when the courage of man shall fail. But it is not this day. We bid you farewell tuhua. Picton: I bid thee stand. We bow to no one. Once again the galleon bluebird will find her slip in the bosom of waikawa.
Matt: It is not for us to master all the tides of the world, merely uproot the evil dandelions when we get back to windsong