Virgin erections and other cock-ups

   21.2.2015      

New tent goes up OK

 After camping for a weekend up north in our little bubble tent, we decided that our advancing years deserved something a bit bigger and more robust. So we sold the little one and our two ancient single inflatable mattresses to a younger and more hardy cruiser.

By way of preparation for our camping adventures to the South Island, (or The Mainland, as folk who live there call it), we popped down to Whangerei to celebrate the relaunching of “Scott-Free”,  and try out our new tent for the first time. Whangerei is actually pronounced “Fungeray”, with the WH  = F in NZ Maori names.

The first time tent erection went well enough, but a breathalyzing road block on our way back to the camp after our party, was a bit scary  It was the first time I have ever had to blow into one of those things, and although I had nominated myself as the driver, and been very circumspect… (1 beer and 2 glasses of wine over 4 hours and a big meal), it was still rather nerve wracking given  new reduced limit, (0.05%), and their “zero tolerance” philosophy.

Anyway, I passed  their test OK, and retired to our new inflatable camp bed, with a Scotch , only to wake up with my hip digging painfully into the ground. We thought it had lost pressure as the night got colder.

The following week we loaded up Mrs Paki, and headed down to Orewa Beach, just north of Auckland, overlooking the Hauraki  Gulf, and Great Barrier Island. We stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park, which was excellent, and right on the beach. With the benefit of our Whangerei experience, the tent was erected in less than 10 minutes this time, but once again we woke up on the hard  ground

Beautiful Orewa Beach just north of Auckland

Sundowners from our campsite

Then it was off to Hamilton to watch the ICC RSA vs Zimbabwe cricket match. The tickets cost us $67, but the very ordinary Hamilton camp site cost us $74, but had the advantage of being only a 3km walk to Seddon Park.

There was a great atmosphere in the ground and it was very strange to be surrounded by SA accents and Afrikaans. SA were in big trouble early on, at 83/4 after 22 overs, but were rescued by David Miller and JP Duminy’s record breaking 5^th wicket partnership of 256, and the 97 runs they scored in the last 5 overs. Steyn and Berhardien  bowled a shower , and Zim were ahead of the run rate right up until the last 7 overs when they collapsed, and fell 65 runs short.

The team shirts were priced around $130 ( R1300), so we decided to just wave our RSA flag instead.

Sunset over Seddon Park

We then drove down to New Plymouth, and I had yet another interesting road experience…… pulled over by the “Stop/Go” lollipop man for “overtaking” in a restricted 30kph road works zone. I had been behind a 30 wheel  heavy duty horse  & trailer for the last 50 kms, and the road was so narrow and winding that there was no way of overtaking.  At the road works end, the truck moved to one side at 5kph to let me pass, and I obliged, doing about 15-20kph, with a clear road ahead (except for the lollipop man), and no solid line either. Apparently ,there is a bylaw in NZ that “there is no overtaking in a 30kph road work area, under any circumstances”. It was all very official……I had to produce my own scrap of paper and pen to record my name and vehicle registration number.

For this serious transgression, I am likely to receive a reprimand from the traffic authorities… Bloody ridiculous.

The beautiful Te Rewa Rewa bridge on the Coastal Cycle/Walking Track

                                   Same bridge framing Mt Taranaki

 New Plymouth was lovely, with a super coastal walk, and the back drop of Mt Taranaki…… and a “Warehouse”,  where we were at last able to exchange our leaking mattress for a new one.

It was then on to Whangenui, through some lovely rain forest areas, in the foothills of Mt Taranaki, where “Lucy”,  (our GPS) took us on a very interesting route. 

The camp site was on the Whangenui river bank, and very nice indeed ($37)....but freezing cold after the sun went down. 

The town itself was also very attractive, with beautiful old buildings, colourful flower beds, and hanging baskets of flowers everywhere.

Next it was down to Wellington, from where we had booked our ferry crossing to Picton, on the South Island. One town we passed through on the way, had us both in fits…. Whakahora……. Remember how they pronounce WH in NZ?

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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!

     

Christmas Greetings from Opua in the beautiful Bay of Islands, New Zealand

    Christmas Greetings from Opua, in the beautiful 

                Bay of Islands, New Zealand

15 December 2014

  

Yes, New Zealand is a very beautiful country and we are yet to visit the South Island. This we’ll do in February. The weather is far from beautiful though…….we’ve just survived the most severe winter in living memory. Nearly every week throughout winter we’ve had a severe weather warning.

 One storm had boats dragging their 4 tons mooring blocks all over the place, leaving at least 2 sunk on the Quarantine Dock. As I write now, we are expecting 30-40 knots winds and lashing rain for the next few days. But when, occasionally, the sun comes out and the wind dies down, it’s gorgeous out here on the water.

I’ve just read our last Christmas letter which covered the biggest year of sailing and travel that we’ll ever do! By comparison, this year has been very static. We planned it that way, as Sheer Tenacity and ourselves needed some long overdue TLC.

An early highlight to the year was a pod of Orcas coming to visit us in the anchorage on Boxing Day! There were about 13 of these magnificent creatures including one baby…..it was a first for us and something we’ll never forget.

In January, we travelled down to Auckland and I had a new lens fitted to my right eye. What a difference! I still need reading glasses but my far vision is 100%! Amazing that I managed my night watches without any oopses!

Kate came to visit in March……..she arrived with the tail end of Cyclone Lusi and a dose of flu which she generously passed on. So we spent the first few days of her visit hunkered down in Roberton Bay recovering from the worst flu I’ve ever experienced……maybe it was Swine Flu!!

We left Sheer Tenacity safely tied up on a mooring and set off in Mrs P on a round trip of North Island. It was a great trip and we had loads of fun.

We sadly dropped Kate off at the airport in Auckland and made our way back to Opua and the yacht.

In May we flew over to Sydney where we met up with old friends Lin and Et. Together we travelled via the Hunter valley, and up the Sunshine coast past Brisbane as far as Noosa, before returning via the inland route. Rod and I then rented a little car, and headed down south to the Blue Mountains, Canberra, and returned along the coast from Batemans Bay, back to Sydney.

We have spent the better part of 2014, restoring, replacing, improving Sheer Tenacity so that she’ll be fit and ready for the next cruising season……Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and a haulout somewhere for the next cyclone season. 

For those gluttons for punishment, who wish to read about all the details, and see more pics, you can view it all on our blog site svsheertenacity@blogspot.com

We plan to do a long overdue home visit which could mean being in Cape Town for Christmas 2015! That would be so good. We have a couple of new family members we have never met! My sister, Shirley, has 2 granddaughters and another on the way.

Kate is still with the Bank of Portugal and doing more global travelling than is healthy. Steve and Kim are now property owners in Cape Town and working hard to transform their home. We have a few more years cruising left in us before we finally swallow the anchor.

Best wishes and love to you all. May 2015 be happy, healthy and fun

Rod and Mary