De-barnacled, a fresh coat of paint, and a year of reflection

Here is a recap of my training voyage the last year and all the unexpected turns and twists.

A year ago this month I finally left Oita where we had an unexpected long stay due to Wahine's keel needing some attention. 

We then set sail south expecting to go to Amami, Oshima to meet the History Channel crew. 

Spent several weeks in Miyazaki having heard that, due to an underwater volcano and the resulting pumice that was flooding harbors in Amami, we were advised not to come.

Finally, we found another location for filming in the Goto Islands of Nagasaki Prefecture and made our way around the southern tip of Kyushu and then up the coast enjoying many stops and experiences along the way.

We arrived a few days ahead of the History Channel crew but, because Omicron was on the rise, the mayor advised us that we could not film. So we left on an early January morning for Ikijima and got entangled with a fishing net along the way, resulting in being towed by the coastguard and Wahine needing a major repair requiring a haul out. Finally found a marina that would take us in Fukuoka and at last made our way back to Ikijima, with wind in our sails, and we filmed the pilot.

Since we had nearly circumnavigated Kyushu, I decided to finish the loop... a modest milestone for sure but nonetheless gratifying. Once at Oita, I decided to simply enjoy the summer among the islands of the Inland Sea.

It's been a grand summer. And now since it is within easy reach, we will complete a circumnavigation of Shikoku before the end of the year at which time we will hopefully get another 30-day permit that allows us to sail off shore (beyond twenty miles) to further out training. 

That's the plan anyways!

Thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way!