The Lady Sterling, Bailey schooner of 1920 

We were in Queenstown, South Island recently and visited the present owner of  Lady Sterling.

I have a soft spot for her as years ago, 1972, I was crew with G.K. who taught me how to navigate and cross oceans.

Whats more  we visited him back in Auckland on our way back to Whangarei. He is 95 and we had not seen each other for 38 years-great time! 

I noticed that the photos for the TOWN BASIN post did not download . So here they are- sorry!

WAEWETORIA

In the morning light this lovely anchorage in the Bay of Islands has glistening waters. Mason Bay facing east.

KELVIN

Davey Jones is off up to the islands again in KELVIN a 41ft ex fishing boat powered by a 40 hp LISTER
Fuel consumption is 2 nm per litre at 5-6 kts She is 10ft3 beam and has a displacement of 14.5t. Sleeping is forward, with galley and table and sea berth aft. The motor midships in the old fish hold.
Great going!

TUTUKAKA

A small marina up the coast from Whangarei heads.I anchored off here in a little bay a few times this last cruise.

TOWN BASIN, WHANGAREI

 

So, MASON BAY is back in the Basin.
I am back at head office.
Over a thousand nm since 8th of December and no problems. It was a fantastic summer and a real payback for all the work that was done on M.B.
The ex fishing boat in the other foto is Souvenir, Also built by Curnow and Wilton, but designed by Carey.

DONNA MARIE

 

My friend Cal found me up in the Bay of Islands where I have been single-handing lately.He has been working on her, as he is a shipwright, on and off,for the last few yearsModifying and developing her.She is quite a tidy craft, not large, I think 38ft. Powered by a Gardner diesel. I will get some details for later publication.
A handsome boat.