After a sociable evening and calm night at Lagoon Cove marina we pressed on. Today's plans were focused on successfully getting through the shallows of Chatham Channel. We had done our maths to be able to hit the channel just prior to the tide turning to give us a small push through and set off based on our usual 3.5kts cruising speed. Of course, Doubletime and the current had other ideas and for once the current pushed us faster than we had planned. As we approached the channel almost an hour early, even though we were barely using the engine, we were still making 4 knots. Entering the channel we came across a tug with a massive log boom that was only doing 2.5 knots. For the first time ever we found ourselves trying to slow down!!

Luckily things worked out and we made it through the channel with no drama. We passed the log boom and tug and then started looking for somewhere to pull in. We went past our stopping place on the way up (Maltipi) and went on to investigate Boughey bay. Looking for a spot to anchor we gave ourselves a scare when the bottom suddenly shelved giving us only a couple of feet clearance but we dropped the anchor safely in the end. As we settled in for a spot of tea though the wind got up blowing us onshore. With little shelter, we decided to move on. After leaving Boughey Bay we headed up to Port Harvey. As we entered the port we had to dodge the tug and log boom from earlier in the day and then headed to the back of the bay for some shelter. The bay was in a pretty setting but was very commercial. Aparently there had been a marina in the back of the bay but when the locals decided to turn their land into a shipyard, the marina closed down. On exploring where the old marina was we had a sobering experience when we found the tip of a mast from a sunken yacht sticking out of the water.

The next morning we set off early to pick up the current going down Johnstone Straight. As we pulled into the straight we picked up a pleasant westerly and for once we were able to have a pleasant downwind sail with the current This lasted all the way into Sunderland channel and when this breeze died, we were left in very hot, still air. After a great cruise, we pulled back into Douglas Bay in Forward Harbour. Yet again, it was a stunning location and we had a lovely still night in this fantastic spot

Having to go through both Whirlpool Rapids and Green Point Rapids was going to take some planning.  We decided to leave Douglas bay early to get the early slack at Whirlpool and then wait in the small bay south of the rapids in order to then get slack at Green point later in the day. 

We left the shelter up and this time puttered through whirlpool rapids with few problems anchoring back in our little bay to the sourth for breakfast. 

We got impatient and were soon off towards Green point rapids though.  We had planned for a 3.5kt journey but the current was swift all the way down and, try as we might, we ended up getting to the rapids too early.  We found a small bay to the north of the rapids and were thankful to find that although within sight of the rapids, the bay was calm.  We pulled up and waited for the rapids to calm down.  As slack approached we pulled out of our little bay and started making our way towards Blind Channel.  After getting through Green Point, approaching the resort we were inundated with power boats arriving at the marina from all directions.  We held off and then got a great dock with assistance from Kerry again, pleased to see us.

That evening we had dinner at the resort.  Oysters followed by schnitzel and Goulash - wonderfully tasty. 

The next day we had a rest day at Blind channel - just kicked back and relaxed all day - long time since we had done this.  In the late afternoon we went for a lovely walk on the trails they have there.  Diner was pork chops and then we went up late to the restaurant to finish our meal (we hadn't been able to face dessert the night before!)  Their Apple Strudel was to die for and their cocktails equally enticing.