A Scottish Wedding, Society islands and New Zealand

Folk ask "What is your favourite part of the world to sail". A tough one as it depends on the people you are with, the weather, and the place itself. At the top of the list is the West Coast of Scotland but only on that one day of the year when the weather is perfect! Also up at the top is a Maupiti in the Society Islands. Off the boat, my love for New Zealand tramping is one of my favorites. The last six weeks – I feel like the luckiest person in the world. I got to be in all these places have perfect weather and be with my family.

The highlight was a fantastic Scottish wedding – my daughter Emma married Brent, a wonderful guy from Australia, on the Mull of Kintyre on one of the most beautiful days Scotland could have ever created. They both now live in Sydney so friends and family all had a heck of a journey to get there, but it was soooo worth it.

Both families had a spectacular week of fun with great food, memorable trips, and enjoyable after-dinner games, all staying in a beautiful place overlooking Gigha and the Paps of Jura. Emma and Brent did a brilliant job of sorting out the logistics of having a wedding miles from anywhere as every detail turned out to be perfect. Of course, it was the people who made it a very special day, and a huge thank you to everyone for ensuring it was a day to remember.

Emma and Brent spent a few days in Los Angeles before joining us on Joline for a Honeymoon cruise around the Society Islands.

Luckily the weather played ball and we were able to take them to one of my and Johns's special places – Maupiti. You need to hold your nerve to get through the atolls pass but once in, to us, it is paradise - Manta ray, turquoise waters, great snorkeling, hardly any other yachts there, and even a hill walk. It was a real honor to have the honeymoon couple on board and such a treat to be able to share our favorite spots across the society islands with them and see them enjoy them too.

After all the wedding excitement I lept on a plane to squeeze in a visit to see my youngest son Luke in New Zealand. A restful and enjoyable week in Wellington, which is the depths of winter, but Wellington also turned on the weather and we got a few days of beautiful blue sky days where we took off into the hills and absorbed the spectacular 360 vistas that are on our doorstep. Oh, and thank you to all those who wished me a happy 60th - it was a happy day with family, who insisted on remembering!