#98 NOW April 3, 2006 0745UTC +12 hours (New Zealand Standard Time) Anchored in Waterfall Bay S4113.5 E17358.0 Temp 63, North gusting to 15 kts Good Morning, Last Thursday, I left Waikawa Bay, cruised around the Snout, and into Picton Harbour where I had arranged for a slip for 24 hours. It was a short run of only 4 = miles. However, there was a great deal of traffic in and out of this little seaport, it being the main terminus of the South Island. To my surprise, Keith Offord and his lovely wife were at the dock to meet me. We had crossed paths several times in Australia. They had left their boat in Tasmania and flown home to Picton for a little break. I enjoyed a nice concrete floating dock with water and power for a miserly $9.60 US. The US dollar is very strong down here, being about .60 for one NZ dollar. I took this opportunity to give the boat a good wash down, stock up on food, and fill the water tanks. Marlborough Sounds Region is a large area of inlets, islands, protected little bays, and coves. It reminds me a lot of the San Juan and Gulf Islands in Washington and British Columbia. There are numerous well-groomed hiking trails, and camping sites. Much of it is a National Park and the wildlife is abundant. So, Friday morning I backed out of the dock and set about exploring this area. http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/regions/marlborough.shtml My objective was to find a nice cove that I could anchor in for the weekend. I poked along sticking my nose into Double Cove, up Lochmara Bay, and finally up Onahau Bay. At the far North end of the Bay are two little bays, Mistletoe Bay and Waterfall Bay. Being by myself, I saw little point in staying at Mistletoe Bay. So, I dropped anchor in the protected waters of Waterfall Bay. Unfortunately, you cannot see the waterfall from the anchorage. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful spot receiving one of my coveted five star ratings for both beauty and anchoring security. http://www.portligar.co.nz/ There are many fools in the world. However, only some of us can make a claim to being the real thing. Being born on that day, I have endured the butt of many jokes and a great deal of ribbing. I may be a fool, but I am a happy fool with a big smile on my face. I arose early Saturday morning to a glorious day. The skies were clear and the sun came bursting over the hills with its warmth. Even my nemesis, the wind, was giving me a reprieve. I stepped out on the back deck and four Mallard Ducks came quacking up to the stern, looking for a handout. Finding a slice of bread, I spent 20 minutes watching them scramble after the little pieces I broke off. They stayed around for an hour, cruising around the boat hoping for more. After a good breakfast, I decided that I would enjoy the day reading and listening to music. Sure, there were things that needed to be done on the boat, but not today. During the day, I received phone calls on my satellite phone from family and friends wishing me a Happy Birthday. As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I thank the Lord that I have been given another year to enjoy his wonderful universe. Life is a Cruise! Larry -- Larry Rick Done Dreamin' Nordhavn 40 #33 Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/Dads%20Web/doneDreamnHome.htm