Lookfar makes a summer trip

 A 3 meter high tide at 4 pm, a moderate southwesterly breeze, two more days of a three week family holiday left, time to go yachting.

I set off straight down the harbour from our waterside home on port tack into a rising 15 knot breeze. Bright sunshine sparkling off a short sharp chop with spray flicking over the windward rail. I love this little sailboat!

We sailed into the narrows between towering tree covered headlands, the wind funneling through, threatening to knock us over, I enjoy these conditions, reading the traces the wind leaves on the water so you can react in time with the sheet or the helm, deflecting the excess power, surging forward over a brisk incoming current.

Ease sheet, reach for an apple, a swig of water, my cell phone, snap some pictures fore and aft, sheet home, surge forward again.

View from Lookfar back toward Rawene. Our home is at the far left of the houses spread over the low point in the distance.

View forward from Lookfar toward the harbour mouth.

With the wind still rising I decided to go ashore at an appealing spot where native trees spill down and blend  with mangroves on the shore line. Two black back gulls circle with threatening calls and gestures, this is their place not mine.
Large concretions, spherical boulders line the beach like forgotten, over sized cannon balls.

Top the mainsail and tie off Lookfar on a mangrove sapling.

Lookfar tied off to a mangrove sapling, sail braided up.

Lookfar and native bush backdrop.

I stretch out in the semi shade of a large puriri tree and take in the beauty of my surroundings. Snap a couple of pics of the canoe, finish a chocolate bar.

I promised Julie I would return at the top of the tide in time for her swim. Julie is responsible for these pictures of our return 2 hour later. Fantastic little outing!

Lookfar on a broad reach for home

Nearly there, spill some wind.

Ease myself out.

Time to pack up.