The 2008 year was welcomed in at North Cove Kawau Island in company with friends Pete White & Christine Bourke who were onboard and Glenn & Judy Bartlett "Candidus". A brief sortie back to land for house and garden tasks and an enjoyable catch up with "Pukkabelle" (Bill & Jackie) who had flown in from Australia. We had last seen them in Tonga in August 2005. Next, we were off to Great Mercury Island and Whitianga via Waiheke island and Coromandel. At Whitianga we caught up with long time friends Glenn & Rennie Leach and their son Nathan who had last sailed on "Star of the West" in January 1989. We returned to Gulf Harbour with Nathan, an able hand via Great Barrier Island and Mahurangi and then enjoyed another extended cruise to the Coromandel coast to share some anchorages with "Candidus". Most recently a Waitangi holiday weekend to Kawau Island where we met with Warren & Trish "Mustang Sally", and Pete & Christine who over-nighted with us, having come out on their runabout. The Summer has been beautifully warm and calm and days have been filled with snapper fishing and scallop diving providing a steady diet from the sea. Daniel's School has restarted and our cruising from here on will be weekend and school holiday stints. Wherever you are, we wish you continued fair winds, seas and/or pleasant dreams.