where's douglas? Hi Doug what a buzz seeing your photo and thinking of you sailing the south pacific. Pam and I are in Switzerland for 6 months, I'm working with the Ramsar convention, Pam's with the WHO. have been here for 3 months already, all summer, now the leaves are starting to change. I'm sorry I've been so absent... would be wonderful to hear from you. Now that I've found your blog will help. Take care. P
wet and windy here in Paeroa! By now you are in Fiji-so 'bula bula' to you.
enjoyed your solo blog in tonga-very envious of your listening to the whales thru the hull of Hakura.Must hv been so neat.
all well here-even your mum seems to be more settled now-but did have to go for a blood test as iron levels too low still.
she came with me to the girls netball when up there for week tournament-was great to see her laughing-she was probably exhausted for rest of week but just so enjoyed being out in the world!!
all the $$ done for the apartments so thats good
hard to believe its only 2 weeks till end of this term-gee was in tonga last holidays!!
enjoy yourself and celebrate your birthday 'island style'-whatever that may be
cheers Frances
Fun 'n' games Weighing anchor the hard way doesn't sound much fun Doug!. That part not the most appealing aspect of your story. No doubt you will appreciate having company again soon to help out, and to play cards with. Would be fascinating to hear that whale 'music'...
top job Well done Doug and crew (?). Skippering the Hakura in paradise sounds like a top job - pleasure in paradise, but pay may be an issue! Lap it up...
tonga So many whale sightings, sounds amazing. Good to read the blog, just like being there but without the salt, fish, warm water, snorkelling, tropicana atmos... Who is next on the crew?
can see it all! so neat that you are safely there
we remember the cafe tropicana well.great coffee too And the market-beeootiful bananas and pineapples!
so now what do you do for crew?
I think bruce said you had mates coming over.Are you planning to be in Tonga long?
and is Lorraine joining you?
neat to read your blog
xo
What a shakedown run! Hi Doug - they say some days it doesn't pay to get out of bed! I'm sure you guys wondered about that... However I suppose some of the issues needed to be dealt with sooner or later. Now they are behind you, good luck second time around and enjoy Tonga when you get there - Cheers Greg C.
That was an entertaining entry Doug and character building I'm sure. Remember Jessica Watson hugged a freighter on her first day before completing her circumnavigation. Wishing you all and Hakura smooth sailing from here on.
J :)
Jesus mate sounds like a hell of a start to your dream adventure!!! hope it only gets bettert! soiunds like those guys are masivly commited dont know them but wish them luick from me and fingers crossed everything goes tip top next time :-D
Good luck mate!!
Going tropo Looking good Doug - wishing you and the crew fair weather on the blue. Look forward to updates as I do my winter fieldwork around Taupo. Look forward to seeing you in the sunny isles.
got the lowdown from Nana! hi there
yes Nana filled me in with your latest hi and dry adventure!
And as its blowing a gale tonight-and meant to be worsening-then am pleased you are safe on land!
We all good here and as its now officially autumn I guess the drought has broken!Farmers will be happy
keep up with the updates
cheers
WOW sounds like, er, fun ??? Loving this vicarious sailing. Much as Frances said earlier - love reading about it, wouldn't want to do it !!!
Great to catch up at Taurikura. Jackie loved the boat Doug. Particularly fun was the rowing out to Hakura while you swam Doug. Thanks for a great afternoon.
Hope to see you both soon. Love Chris
way to go!! hi Hv finally got to read your adventures from the beginning And I hv thoroughly enjoyed it. I do not want to be there" doing it " but WOW am very happy experiencing it from afar!!
I agree with Chris in her last comments and am looking forward to seeing you both in Auck-and to at last meet you Lorraine.Dorothy approves so am sure thjats a great start!Keep on sailing and see you in afew days
cheers Frances
Nice job Yo captain nice job on the wharves. It takes real seamanship to straighten out the dock with only minor scratching to your gelcoat. Keep up the good work?
Ciao
Hi, I'm Doug Nicol, and these are the stories about sailing around parts of New Zealand, some of the South Pacific and eastern Australia in my 36 foot yacht Hakura (Maori for Grey's beaked whale).
You may even be able to join me someday.
... full info
Pierre
non-member comment
where's douglas?
Hi Doug what a buzz seeing your photo and thinking of you sailing the south pacific. Pam and I are in Switzerland for 6 months, I'm working with the Ramsar convention, Pam's with the WHO. have been here for 3 months already, all summer, now the leaves are starting to change. I'm sorry I've been so absent... would be wonderful to hear from you. Now that I've found your blog will help. Take care. P