I want to start with saying thanks for all the lovely birthday wishes. I had a great day together with friends here in Whangarei. Daniel and I did a little birthday hike up to the top of Mt. Mania. Whangarei weather can be pretty unpredictable sometimes and we had everything from no wind and sunshine to downpours with gusts of wind. It certainly keeps it interesting, and makes for stunning views.

My beautiful Birthday Cake, one of my friends here made it for me. It was delicious!

For the last couple of weeks I have been keeping myself busy on Anam Cara. She is the Wharram catamaran that I sailed from Bluff to Dunedin. She had some rotten crossbeams and needed a good refit before sailing up to the islands. It’s been good to work a lot with my hands again. I really enjoy working on boats (most of the time ;), I always learn new things, and it’s great to use the skills that I already have! ☺ Anam cara is now back in the water and almost ready for her trip up to the Solomons with ‘Oceans Watch’. I don’t think I will be joining her for this trip, unless I manage to find a gap in my busy calendar – last minute of course.. 😉

Anam Cara back in the water and her crew ready to go!

Last week I flew out to Melbourne to do some filming for an inspirational 5-minute film. The filming involved lots of sailing in Port Philip – the big bay in Melbourne – so that it’s needless to say I had a great time! ☺ Whilst I was in Melbourne I talked to somebody who was going to see Jessica Watson speak that same evening. Of course I wouldn’t let such a chance pass and so we ended up going to the talk together. I had never met Jessica before, although I did feel as if I knew her quiet well just from following her journey. It was really great to finally meet Jessica personally and get to talk to her. We had a great time sharing our story’s with each other.

I am back in Whangarei now, spring has finally arrived! It’s so nice seeing the flowers come back up and little lambs jumping around in the paddocks. And now that the weather is getting better, it’s time to get some things done on Guppy! ☺

Jessica and I sharing our story’s over some dinner in Melbourne last week.

Laura