Farewell to an old lady

www.sailbayofislands.com

We are enjoying the good end-of-summer weather here in the Bay of Islands. With the busy season winding down, the last few trips have been very relaxed and we even enjoyed having the Motorua Island anchorage all to ourselves one night. For those who like to get away from the crowds, the end of March and April are a really good time to be travelling in New Zealand; the weather is still fantastic, kids are back to school, and holiday-makers are back to work. It’s truly a magical time to be captivated by the beauty of Northland’s natural wonders.

Jan, one of our guests has posted his experiences of the Freewind overnight trip on his blog (in English and German). To read and see the short video clip, open Jan’s blog and scroll down the page.

View on Oneroa Bay (Long Beach) from Freewind	Motorua Island anchorage (Army Bay)

 

Farewell the Bay Belle

This week, the Bay of Islands farewelled one of the most well-known vessels in the Bay, the ferry Bay Belle, which has been transporting passengers in the Bay for over 50 years. The boat started her career on the Cream Trip taking provisions and passengers to the islands of the Bay, and later became the Paihia – Russell ferry, where she has served continuously until this week. The Bay Belle is retiring and has been sold, to be replaced by a new aluminium ferry, named the Bay Belle II. The farewell event was also an opportunity for the Bay of Islands community to pay tribute to another grand lady, although for 85-year old Jane Taylor the title “old lady” does not sit well. In fact, the first woman skipper for Fullers Bay of Islands, Jane, with her daughter Tammy, had the honours of taking the wheel and steering the Bay Belle on her last trip from Paihia to Russell. Tammy is continuing the long tradition and is also a skipper with Fullers Great Sights, one of many female skippers who have followed in the footsteps of Jane Taylor. Visitors to the Bay of Islands will no doubt notice the dominance of lady skippers amongst the Fullers Great Sights vessels (passenger and vehicle ferries and the various tour boats). We’ll miss you, Belle, and we salute you, Jane Taylor!

The Bay Belle - retiring after more than 50 years of service in the Bay of Islands

Read more here.

Quote of the week:

“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
- Jacques Cousteau

A "royal" visit in the Bay of Islands

http://www.sailbayofislands.com/

Everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather this week in the Bay, including the dolphins and the Gannets, who were busy chasing the fish in and above the water.

Gannet, Bay of Islands	Dolphins accompanying Freewind in the Bay

We also had a highly visible guest in the Bay of Islands this week – the cruise ship Queen Elizabeth II, which stopped for the day and downloaded her passengers at Paihia and Russell. She certainly dwarfed every other vessel in the Bay, including Freewind who had to detour around her, sailing to Roberton island on Wednesday.

The Queen Elizabeth II – a grand sight	The QE II anchored off Russell on Wednesday, dwarfing all the other vessels in the Bay

On Saturday, after lunch in Roberton island, we took advantage of the lovely breeze to get a good look around the Bay under sail, then stopped for a bit of fishing near Urupukapuka island. We anchored for the night in nearby Paradise Bay – the perfect place for a BBQ on board.

Nights on the water are always special, and with the full moon out in all its glory, it was an amazing night, with converastion in the cockpit till the early hours. You could not find a more fitting name to the bay – Paradise Bay … it was magic. Sunday morning began with a breakfast of Snapper (caught the day before), and as soon as the wind picked up we pulled up anchor and raised the mainsail to continue the tour of the Bay. A pod of dolphins came to say hello before continuing their business of rounding up some fish for their breakfast, and before long it was time to head back to the Paihia wharf. Another “Day in the Bay” for Freewind, with lots of wonderful memories for all on board.

Full moon on the Bay

Waitangi Day in the Bay of Islands

http://www.sailbayofislands.com/

On February the 6th New Zealand celebrates it national day – Waitangi Day, which commemorates
the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between the Maori chiefs and the British Crown, headed by Queen Victoria.
Waitangi, located in the Bay of Islands, is the centre of the celebrations which are hosted by the Maori community at Te Tii Marae (the Marae is the traditional Maori community centre).


Launching the wakas at Waitangi, Bay of Islands on Waitangi Day
 
The focus of the celebrations is on the waterfront of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds where the historical Waka (Maori canoe) is launched every year and many other waka and traditional craft, as well as local boats and the New Zealand Navy join in the celebrations.


Freewind will be sailing past the fleet of boats and if you join us on our weekend trip you will have a unique opportunity to watch the events from the water.

A cultural mix on Waitangi Day, Bay of Islands: the NZ Navy, traditional sailing ship, and Maori canoe	Waka (traditional Maori canoe) at Waitangi Day celebrations, Bay of Islands

The weather report is looking very good, so we are looking forward to a great weekend – a warm welcome and “Haere Mai” to all the dignitaries and many visitors who are coming to the Bay of Islands this weekend.

For information on sailing with Freewind, please check http://www.sailbayofislands.com/


For those in New Zealand, watching TV1, don't forget to tune in at 7 PM on Saturday (Feb. 5th) to Coasters, hosted by Al Brown. This week the programme featurs the Bay of Islands, the Russell Boat Club, and the tall ship R.Tucker Thompson (pictured above) at the Tall Ships Regatta.  Read more here.

See you on the water!

Fresh breezes for 2011

Well, 2011 has started on a very upbeat note – while are thoughts are with our boating friends, the boating community, and the many thousands who have suffered in the devastating Queensland floods in Australia, here in the Bay of Islands it has been a very good start to the year. The sun has been out almost every day, and the few showery intervals are keeping everything green and crisp and the water tanks full. We have had some amazing days on the water, Freewind loving the fresh breezes, many lovely walks on Urapukapuka and Roberton island, good fishing and happy dolphins swimming and jumping beside Freewind.

Relaxing with the dolphins on board Freewind	Freewind getting a lift with the spinnaker

Lonely Planet Update

For all you Lonely Planet followers, we thought you’d like to know that the Bay of Islands is listed second in their 10 Classic Sailing Adventures page (that’s a world-wide survey – The British Virgin Islands was at no. 1). Now that’s no small feat for an unspoilt bay in a little country at the end of the world. This is what Lonely Planet had to say about us:

“2. Bay of Islands, New Zealand

This small island nation has a habit of throwing up some of the world’s best sailors (see its America’s Cup successes) and has one of the highest per-capita rates of boat ownership in the world. And with water like this, why wouldn’t it? Famed for its stunning coastal scenery, the Bay of Islands in NZ’s ‘winterless north’ is one of the country’s most worthwhile attractions, punctuated by dozens of coves and filled with clear waters ranging in hue from turquoise to deep blue. Though a hugely popular tourist and sailing destination, the 150 or so islands have thankfully escaped development (the townships are all on the mainland).”

For the full article and to see who else made the list, see http://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/northland-and-the-bay-of-islands/bay-of-islands/travel-tips-and-articles/75884 .


We on Freewind, like most sailors and visitors in the Bay, are doing our best to keep the waters of the Bay of Islands and the islands themselves as untouched and pristine as could be.  We try and source most of the food we serve from local producers, and our eco-fuel is the wind!

We love to share our little bit of paradise with other travellers and invite you to join us on one of our overnight scheduled or specially-arranged sailing trips. Please see our contact details at www.sailbayofislands.com.

And for those who have already been on one of our trips – we welcome your comments and photos, or anything else  which you would like to share with us on the web.

Fair winds and following seas!   
                                     from the Freewind crew.


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Quote of the week:

Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and mankind the vessel.

             -- August Hare

Tall Ships Regatta - January 8th, 2011

Thank you to all our guests who have sent comments and photos - please keep them coming in, and we will combine them in our future posts. Email to: freewind@sailbayofislands.com


The Bay of Islands Tall Ship and Classic boat Regatta will be held on Saturday, January 8th, 2011.

This annual event, sponsored by the Russell Boating Club, is one of the highlights of summer sailing in the Bay.



The Soren Larson at the Bay of Islands
Tall Ships Regatta


Freewind will be sailing through the fleet of tall ships and classic yachts which come to the Bay of Islands every year to take part in this gathering. It is an unforgettable experience and a great photo opportunity.

On Saturday, regatta boats and spectator boats of all ages, shapes and sizes will be sailing the Bay in a  memorable collection  of sail and colour. It is a light-hearted race, where classic boat owners and sailors young and old share their love of traditional sailing boats with the aim of having a good sail and lots of fun.


If you want to join the spectator boat fleet on board Freewind, be sure to book early to secure a bunk on our overnight trip for Januray 8/9th 2011, on our website, www.sailbayofislands.com .

See you there,
Ron

Great sailing in the Bay

www.sailbayofislands.com

Hi everyone,

We are continuing to enjoy fantastic weather in the Bay of Islands.                                     Nesting Terns

There was a good breeze on the weekend, which filled Freewind’s sails and made for a great sail all around the Bay. After  a stop at Roberton Island (the twin lagoons) for lunch and some site-seeing, we carried on to Urupukapuka Islands, where we anchored for the night, sheltered from the north-westerly wind. Returning on Sunday, we sailed close to Black Rocks on the western side of the Bay, where the terns are nesting at the moment.

Sailing into Roberton Islands (Motu Arohia)	Freewind anchored at Roberton Island

                                    

The trail up to the lookout in Roberton Island is one of the most popular tracks in the Bay of Islands – short and steep, it gives you a great opportunity for some exercise with a very rewarding prize – one of the best 360-degree scenic views in New Zealand (the photo on the right was taken from the lookout at the top of the track).

More good news from DOC (the NZ  Department of Conservation): Due to combined efforts of DOC staff, boaties and the Bay of Islands community, the eradication of rats and stoats from the eastern Bay islands is bringing back many native birds, including the endangered  New Zealand Dotterels – they can now nest and breed safely there. A few breeding pairs are being monitored by DOC and the Guardians of the Bay on Urupukapuka and Roberton Islands; anyone stopping at Twin Lagoons in Roberton Islands will notice the cordoned area right on the beach that encloses the delicate Dotterels’ nesting ground. We are hoping this year will be a good one for the NZ Dotterels, which number only around 1700 and nest on the sand, just above the tide-line, where we all love to roam. So please, if you see DOC signs of Dotterel nesting grounds – please take care.

The New Zealand Dotterel (Tūturiwhatu)
 
 
 
From our Guest book [today, Mon, December 13th, 2010]:
“Thanks very much for the time aboard Freewind.  We all had a great time and loved being up in the Bay of Islands.  The hospitality was excellent and with Ron’s knowledge of sailing and the Bays, it was a  real treat.  I hope we can do it again soon.
Regards
Stuart and Ula"

See you on the water,
Ron and the crew

Welcome to Freewind's Log

http://www.sailbayofislands.com/

First update for December                                                     

Welcome to our new (b)log - a fresh start to the 2010/2011 summer sailing season, which has just begun here in New Zealand. Ron and Freewind returned from Fiji just about a month ago, stopping in New Caledonia on the way. So it's all go once again - ready to explore the Bay of Islands and show our visitors how lucky we all are to have such amazing scenic cruising grounds right at our doorstep.

Freewind is looking bright and spanky, as usual, with her new coat of varnish on the woodwork and an upgrade on the aft cabins, for extra comfort to all our passengers.

The weather in the northern part of New Zealand, the Bay of islands included, has been lovely for most of November, and although the farmers could do with a bit more rain, the sailors are happy with the blue skies and warm breezes of the last few weeks. So - it's looking like a good summer of sailing ahead.

Ron hauling the mainsail

Headsail on Freewind



On the bow

These photos, taken by Shirley Gray of Whangarei last Sunday, only prove the point - the skies were picture-perfect blue, and the wind was 'just right' for a lovely sail around the Bay, stopping in Urupukapuka Bay, Ururpukapuka Island for lunch.

Our new "Freewind Overnight Cruises" brochure will be coming out of the printing press next week, so if you would like a PDF copy emailed to you, please let us know, at freewind@sailbayofislands.com.

We will be uploading more photos and posts in the next few weeks, so please drop by again soon.

Until then, fair winds and following seas,

From Freewind, and the crew.




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Quote of the week:
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It's not which way the wind is blowing from, but the way in which you set your sails that determines where you are heading.

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