VOLVO OCEAN RACE

Camper the New Zealand boat image from here

A week ago today

we went out on the harbour

to welcome the

yachts arriving in Auckland

on the 4th leg of the

Volvo Round the World Yacht Race!

Camper is the New Zealand

entrant in this amazing race.

They had sailed from China

non-stop for 20 days

The crews must have been beyond tired

and looking forward to stepping

on to dry land

with the prospect of a warm bed

and dry clothes

Their families had flown in several

days before and were waiting

in the Viaduct Basin.

It was a very blustery day,

raining off and on

but that didn't matter...

we were just happy to be part

of the excitement and see

all the boats arrive here safely.

In the calmer waters of the

inner harbour Camper

is reunited

with her shore support team.

Home at last but only

for one week, as the fifth leg

of their journey started today.

They deaprted this afternoon

bound for Brazil via Cape Horn

which yachties call

'the Everest of yachting'.

On the way back to the marina

we passed this massive boat.

An overseas supporter of the race,

even if I won Lotto

(which has reached $20million here)

I still couldn't afford to run it!!!!

C'est la vie.....

A very big welcome to my new followers

Stephanie, Julia, Jane, Virginia,

Vintage and Loved, and

Connie.

You may like to visit their blogs.

Thank you dear friends for visiting

and especially those of you

who leave me a comment - love you!!

Be kind to one another

hugs

Shane

All images are mine unless

stated otherwide.