Welcome, 2013

www.sailbayofislands.com

2012 is gone, welcome 2013!

Looking back on 2012, she’s been a good year…

The year started on a busy note, as usual, with our Bay of Islands charters, the sails were up, dolphins were frolicking and the tourist kept us busy and happy until the end of April.

In May, Ron was off to Fiji, arriving in Savusavu and slipping into “Fiji Frame of Mind” without any effort. We had a crew reunion in Fiji in August, and by September, Freewind and Ron were back in Russell, waiting for the weather to warm up and catching up with boat maintenance.

As soon as the days became longer with the sun warmed up the land, the tourists arrived back in the Bay of Islands and we were reminded of how lucky we were to be able to enjoy God’s Own little bit of paradise every day of the year. The great thing about sailing in the Bay is that every trip is different: the wind dictates how we sail and where we drop anchor; the sun and the clouds paint the sky and the islands a different shade every day. We get excited every time we see the friendly dolphins, even though we have seen them hundreds of times, the encounter never fails to produce that special feeling of elation… 

But the best part, for us, is meeting all our wonderful guests and getting to know them, even if it’s only for the day and we know we probably won’t ever see them again. We’ve had people from every continent on earth  (even two young ladies who had wintered over in Antarctica and were on their way back to the US), from Alaska to South Africa, from Denmark to Thailand, and everywhere in between. And, of course, it’s always a pleasure to get to know our Kiwi guests who came from all over the country, from our very own Paihia, down to Invercargill in the far south, to experience the Bay of Islands.

And as we look forward to the coming year, we would like to wish Eleanor, who was our first mate on many of Freewind’s trips this season, best of luck as she embarks on a new career and her first year at university, and the same to Melanie, our relief first mate this season, on her last year at high school. To all the good people who supported us and joined us on our sailing trips – thank you for making our job so enjoyable, and we wish you and your loved ones and the rest of the world peace, health, and happiness throughout the coming year.

And to all the sailors of the world – fair winds and following seas, may the wind always help you get to safe shores.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Photo: Henrike Stockhausen                                      

Melanie (first mate) and Captain Ron celebrating New Year’s Eve 2012 on Freewind

 

As always, we chose to get away from the crowds ashore on New Year’s Eve and slipped away to what we thought would be a quiet anchorage. However, as midnight approached we realized that the other boats anchored around us were not going to let the new year in without a loud welcome… so we joined in with the celebrations and welcomed the new year in style – a  great start to 2013.

 

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Quote of the day

The days pass happily with me wherever my ship sails.
- Joshua Slocum

Sunny days in the Bay

www.sailbayofislands.com

As we approach the end of summer, we’ve managed to capture some lovely sunny days – perfect for relaxing on deck as Freewind sails among the peaceful islands of the Bay. The fishing has been very good over the last couple of charters, and of course, where there’s fish – there are dolphins, and we have been fortunate to experience their friendly frolicking as they fish for their dinner, or just play around our bow wave.

Relaxing on deck on board Freewind		Another magical day in the Bay of Islands

We are hoping for more good weather over the Easter Holidays, as we have quite a few trips planned for the next two weeks. There are still cabins available for these trips, so please contact us for trip dates and details.

Thank you again to all our guests for the wonderful feedback you have sent us:

Hi Ron,
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful trip. It was very special to spend a night on board Freewind.
My parents loved every minute and it was the perfect way to end their long holiday in NZ.
Kristy

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Quote of the Day

There is nothing like lying flat on your back on the deck, alone except for the helmsman aft at the wheel, silence except for the lapping of the sea against the side of the ship. At that time you can be equal to Ulysses and brother to him.
- Errol Flynn

Bays, Breezes, and Ball Games

www.sailbayofislands.com

While New Zealand is in the midst of Rugby World Cup frenzy, Freewind is making the most of the good weather up here in the Bay of Islands. A good south-westerly breeze accompanied us during last Thursday-Friday’s trip, as well as the friendly bottlenose dolphins.
 


Thank you Tracey for the kind feedback on our Facebook page:

“Thanks for a great little trip around the Bay of Islands Ron. We all enjoyed ourselves doing as much or as little as we liked. A very pretty part of the world seen from a very special vessel. I think that you have left a huge impression on the boys. Thanks again, the Polson clan.”

Whether it’s celebrating the rugby, or someone’s birthday (we’ve celebrated 2 birthdays on board this month), it’s been a pleasure having everyone on board. With guests from Sweden and South Africa, Ireland and Hong Kong, it’s been great sharing your company and your appreciation of this special part of New Zealand.

Cabins on our January trips are starting to fill up, so if you are interested in joining us during late December - January, please contact us soon for dates and details. Plenty of space still available on Freewind's sailing trips in October - November.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Ron and the crew

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Quote of the day:

I know who you are, but you'll have to wipe your feet.

-Capt. Richard Brown of the schooner America to Prince Albert of England, 1851

Freewind back in the Bay of Islands

www.sailbayofislands.com

The northerly gale this week in the Bay of Islands brought Freewind back to Russell after a 7-day passage from New Caledonia. It was not one of those perfect trips with nice breezes and clear blue skies. The first few days was sailing to windward, a little off course but making good speed. Once Freewind reached the northerly winds from the storm to the south it was all go towards New Zealand, with 30-35 knot winds the whole way. A rough, but speedy progress.

The boat is now safely on her mooring in Mathauwhi Bay in Russell and Ron is getting his “land legs” after all those months on board. Not for long, though – on Friday, Freewind will be out again with our first charter of the season, and another, overnight trip on Sat-Sun this weekend. For details, see September Specials on www.sailbayofislands.com .

Freewind, on her mooring in Savusavu before her passage to New Caledonia and New Zealand		Bar-tailed Godwits with their long, upturned beaks, back on NZ shores after their long passage from Alaska

The timing for returning to New Zealand must be perfect – we heard that those amazing voyagers - the Godwits - are also starting to arrive back in New Zealand, and their voyage is much more impressive than Freewind’s: after flying 10 days non-stop 11,000 km all the way from Alaska (!!) the Bar-tailed Godwits have also started to arrive in their wintering grounds (our gorgeous NZ summer) here in NZ.
They spend the southern summer on the Christchurch coastline and every year the City Council organises a spring celebration to mark the arrival of the first Godwit migrants. The Christchurch Cathedral bells ring for 30 minutes when the first birds are seen on the Avon-Heathcote Estuary. This year the cathedral's bells are out of action due to the earthquake, so the bells of St Paul's Anglican Church in Papanui will ring out at 12.30 for the birds today, Wednesday Sept 14th.

Welcome back Freewind, welcome back Godwits!

Ron has posted photos from Savusavu and New Caledonia on http://captainronsblognz.blogspot.com/ .

Details on our Bay of Islands sailing trips and schedules on www.sailbayofislands.com .

The Bay of Islands during the Rugby World Cup

www.sailbayofislands.com

If you are planning to visit New Zealand during Sept-October, there’s even more reason to come up to the Bay of Islands, only 3-hr drive north of Auckland. The Bay of Islands will be hosting a variety of events leading to and during the Rugby World Cup, so even if you’re not a rugby fan, you’re welcome to join in the fun.
We’ve highlighted some of the events here, for a full list and more details, see: Northland events during Rugby World Cup 2011.

Games played at the Northland Events Centre, Whangarei:
Tonga vs. Canada: Wed, Sep 14,                           Tonga vs. Japan: Wed, Sept 21.

The Bay of Islands will be hosting the Canadian Rugby team during Sept 2 – Sept 11, 2011, and the Tongan and Japanese teams during Sept 15 - 20.

Paihia in the Bay of Islands will be the scene of festivals, family fun events and cultural showcasing during the Rugby World Cup, September – October, 2011.

Russell, the “Hellhole of the Pacific”
When: Friday 7 October to Sunday 23 October, 10am to 4pm.  Where: Russell waterfront and village centre
Russell-Kororareka is recreating its most infamous days when Kororareka was known as the Hell-hole of the Pacific and a favourite stopping place for whalers and sailors of 19th century sailing ships. During October 7-23, the streets of this now charming village will once again see the likes of whalers, warriors, loose women, missionaries and townsfolk of 1830-1847. Re-creation of historical scenes on the streets and in heritage buildings will liven up visitors’ experience of Russell on top of the normal attraction of the town, which includes the oldest NZ tannery-printhouse, the Russell museum, a great selection of restaurants on the waterfront and the Trader’s Mall, Nature Reserve walks, and two excellent beaches.

The Russell wharf is where Freewind will pick you up for the real Bay of Islands experience – a day sail or overnight trip in the Bay.

Russell will also be hosting the Oyster Festival on Sept 17 at the Russell waterfront: oysters and much more….

Paihia: From Sept 9 to Sept 22, Paihia will host a multitude of events, including showcasing Maori culture (Kapa Haka festival, traditional Maori crafts, etc.), beach activities (sandcastle competition, beach sports) and food events.  On Sept 20 and 22 the Seafood festival in Paihia will give you an opportunity to catch or just enjoy the taste of locally caught seafood, plus lots of fun activities for the whole family (including the “pie-hia” eating competition) on the Paihia village green.

Whangarei, on the way to the Bay of Islands, will also be hosting art events and family activities during this time, and if you are a rugby fan, the “Rugby, Racing, and Beer” exhibition at the Matakohe Museum on the way up north (State Highway 1), would be an interesting stop.

This will be a busy time for tourist operators in the Bay of Islands and we are all looking forward to sharing our wonderful bit of paradise with all our guests. Please make your bookings on Freewind early – we will be offering day sails and overnight trips, plus private tailor-made charters with our usual focus on everyone having an enjoyable and relaxing time, experiencing the natural beauty of the Bay and its islands, good food and comfortable accommodation, and expert seamanship and local knowledge from Ron, Freewind’s experienced skipper. Details on www.sailbayofislands.com .

Looking forward to hearing from you -- fair winds and following seas,

Ron and the crew on Freewind.