Is She a Dudley Dix?

17.01.2015

Is she an ugly fish.........?

With restocking and admin up to date, we could not wait to get out into the islands again.

View from the Pa at Roberton

While fishing, at anchor in 25mts off Roberton Island, we were approached by a 50ft ketch, just as I was trying to extricate the hook from a pretty, but spiky gurnard.

“Is that an Ugly Fish !!”, I hear the fellow yell.  “No” I replied, “it’s a Red Gurnard… good eating!”

“Not the fish you clot! I asked if your beautiful boat is a Dudley Dix?”

And so we got talking on the fly, and it transpired that he was the first owner of the early aluminium Shearwater 39, “Skylark”, which he said he thinks is now in Turkey!

A couple of days later, we were approached at anchor in Opunga bay by a couple who sailed over from Cape Town, in the same Governor’s Cup race as Petr Musik and “Shoestring” in 2005. They too recognized the boat, and told me that they nearly ended up buying “Betel juice”. They now have an Amel Super Miramu, “Bamboozle”, and we have been invited to drinks on board this evening!

There might not be very many Shearwaters around, (+/- 46?), but they are certainly recognized all around the world, as great looking yachts, that sail fantastically as well! Well done Dudley!!

Red Snapper

Our day's catch

 Our fishing efforts were rewarded by 3 gurnard that day, and we caught a good few Red Snappers on other days. Interestingly, the minimum size limit for Red Snapper in NZ is 27cm, except here, where it is 30cm, due to the pressure on the species caused by the number of fishermen in these parts. And yes, we had to return 90% of the fish we caught, because they were only 28/29cm!

Our biggest, which Mary caught, was still only 35cm. They get up to a metre long, and can weigh up to 40kg, and are classified as Game fish in New Zealand.

On our return to Opua,we passed some of the Super Yachts anchored off Russell, here to participate in the Millenium Cup next week.

Pacifico......163ft!

Next week, its back on the hard for a “take two” on the paint job, where the Opua Marina are offering me a free haul out, and generous assistance to ensure that the finish is up to scratch for the price paid.

Thereafter, we will be heading off south, in Mrs Paki, to explore the South Island, camping and hiking along the way. But first we have planned to stop over in Hamilton, to watch the 3^rd match in the ICC World Cup, being RSA vs Zimbabwe!   

A new dawn for the New Year

17.01.2015

                                                    

After all the festivities, it was definitely time for a little R & R  to cleanse body and soul! We headed out into the BOI, as it appears that summer only really makes an appearance after New Year.

Loving the "warm" water......note the grimace!!

Sheer looks way happier in the water than her skipper!

 We enjoyed some real summer warmth for a few days, did a spot of fishing, and returned in time to watch the start of the Classic Boat Regatta at Russell, which this year attracted over 100 entries. 

Zebedee came through Panama Canal with us

Conditions were pleasant, and the regulations relating to “Classic” status appear quite relaxed…. But even that was unlikely to persuade us to enter, and partake of the huge “Hangi” (traditional Maori feast), to which all entrants are invited!

We headed back to our mooring buoy on the slack tide, and started drawing up our lists of all the admin and replenishment needed the following day......... WOF (warranty of fitness), insurance and license for Mrs Paki, all in Kerikeri, plus a visit to Countdown,  and a visit to our Doc in KawaKawa, to pay our visa medical fees (2 for the price of one special $250… R2500!!!!!), and to fetch our next 3 months meds from the chemist, so that we could head back out into the BOI again.

Christmas and New Year in Opua

17.01.2015

 While Katie, our daughter,  was laid up in hospital in Cape Town having back surgery, and the rest of our various families were laying on their traditional fares, we too were planning our own bit of fun in Opua………

Steve and Chris all dressed up 

Bear, Brenda and other Rod with galley slaves in the background

 Chris and Steve, (Scott Free), our cruising buddies from Grenada to New Zealand, came up to join us for both celebrations, as did “other” Rod and Brenda, from “State of Mind”.

Bear and Pepe 

Pepe and Bear, hosted the Christmas do on “ Beez Neez”, pulling out all the stops….  and managed to clear enough space for the Whangerei guests to sleep over!

 The lunch began at about 11.30, with mandatory  Strawberry Daiqueries to start with…..over and over again….. and an Avocado Ritz starter, the Full Monty of turkey, stuffing, ham, roast potatoes, Brussel sprouts, et al, and finally an Aunty Mabel Xmas pudding with brandy butter!

All accompanied by a steady flow of assorted wines!

A week later New Years Eve was held on Sheer Tenacity, where the excesses continued. Starters of smoked salmon on rye, stuffed baby peppadews, sausage rolls, cocktail “hedgehogs” followed by a main course roast lamb with Greek salad, and herb roasted baby potatoes and mushrooms . Dessert was a New Zealand favourite, Hokey Pokey ice cream, with brandy snaps and fresh cherries. 

During 2014 Pepe submitted a collection of 10 of her best photographs to the Royal Photographic Society. She is now an LRPS (Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society). Handsome of Belize was one of her submissions and we will always treasure it and the privilege of participating in her selection. Congratulations, Pepe!

Pepe unveiling her fabulous gift to us......"Handsome of Belize"

Midnight saw champagne corks popping, a cheese platter to fill in the gaps, and a fireworks display over Russell!

Rod and Brenda stayed over on Sheer Tenacity, and breakfast on New Years day, not surprisingly, only got going at about lunch time!