Te Kaihōpara and I were up and at it a bit earlier than usual as the skipper Jo, wanted us to reach Port Hardy faster than Silver Fern and Salt Lines to be able grab the best anchorage spot. The sun rose after about an hour of us getting the anchor up and soon enough, Cape Jackson was beckoning. My favourite rock was showing off its cuts and curves as the water got a bit too choppy for some of our crew. I’d decided to surprise the anniversary celebrating couple of Shazz and David with some ‘breakfast-just-out-of-bed’. Cheesy Shaakshuka, bacon and warm toast kicked off their ten year anniversary as we began our approach towards the South Arm of Port Hardy.

As we set out to have a little sundowner picnic after anchoring up, Shazz remarked that she felt like she’s on a episode of ‘Below Deck’. Sadly for her, she had to put up with me handing her some picnic treats instead of a gorgeous european stewardess serving her a mimosa. Silver Fern and Salt Lines anchored up soon enough as David Hows joined us on the beach to show off his latest toy, a delightfully orange coloured monster of a drone.

Barbecued steaks and veggies dominated the rest of our evening back onboard as the couple brought out the bubbly to help us toast them to many more years of love and laughter. I had to get Te Kaihōpara a tad squared up as the crew from the other two yachts; Silver Fern and Salt Lines, joined us for a nightcap. I finally managed to convince Lynda to get her Ukulele out and boy, she did not disappoint!

Matt, Silver Fern’s Chief Mate showed me Alpha Centuri in the night sky, and I then showed our crew. It’s Te Kaihōpara’s party trick; a brilliantly luminescent spotlight. It could make a bird think the sun’s out early. Port Hardy will be our home base for the next few days as we ride out some bad weather. Let see what marvels await us in the Southern Arm.

- Arjun Thimmaya, Chief Mate, Te Kaihōpara