“Hello, sun.” On the beach to greet the day.
Then off to the ferry dock to say good-bye to our daughter and son-in-law. Their long trip home to CA started with a ride on the Albury ferry to Marsh Harbour.
Sad to see them go. Such fun to spend the week with them. Thanks for traveling all the way here.
Saturday was the Hopetown Volunteer Fire and Rescue fundraiser, (they are entirely donation supported), with a live auction, raffle and BBQ chicken dinners. We bought a bunch of raffle tickets.
OMG. WE WON THE GRAND PRIZE – Vacation Package. It’s a great prize – a dream vacation. Lots and lots of really great stuff – here are the certificates. Everything you need for a perfect visit to Hopetown. Many generous merchants.
We’d left a bit early and missed the drawing, but got a call on the radio this morning after the net. We were jumping up and down – sooooooo excited.
But the Fire & Rescue fundraiser would have been a blast even without winning a prize. Here’s a view of the Hopetown harbor, with its iconic candy-striped lighthouse, and you can hear that fun island music in the background.
Today, a new morning, a new sunrise.
And a gorgeous day for a walk on the beach.
Me on the East End perch.
Then lunch at On Da Beach with the grand dames of Hopetown.
These are beautiful, engaged, dynamic, smart women with amazing life stories. Adelaide, at 100, is a poet. She writes verse every day; a sample: “With all that sass and drive, you could pass for 95.” We are, in order, aged 85, 100, 75 (almost), 85 and 65 (almost). How inspirational!
Then back across the harbor for a cruisers’ get together at the Hopetown Inn & Marina – always potluck and always tasty. Good to catch up with friends from prior trips and meet new ones. Today was also the small boat regatta – here they are returning to the harbor.
Tonight we could see the moon, and below it Venus and Mars (to the right of Venus and slightly lower).
Sadly it’s our last day here. But wait – we’re on our way to FL tomorrow to bring the boat back!!! Just need the right weather. Fingers crossed again.
SAIL MOTU ITI 
Your blog and photos bring a big smile to my face! Know you all had a GREAT time with the kidds. They look fantastic! (Who had Crew?) And of course you won the raffle! Loved the group photo of the senior women ans you. Beautiful! Love, R&T
PS Nice seeing pics of Nancy!
Thanks for reading the blog. We had a wonderful visit. And Crew spent some fun time with his other grandparents. He’s a very spoiled little guy.
Great photos, Nancy, and good times! Congrats on your raffle win. Something to look forward to when you get back to Hopetown on Motu Iti! A really challenging winter for that crossing, but a chance will come. Good luck.