Advertisement
Published: November 25th 2008
Edit Blog Post
Rainbow
Bad weather threatens Tuesday, 25th November
The next challenge in our continuing saga, was getting off the Waikawa Marina fuel wharf once the boat had been repaired. Tony, from Charter Link (a bloody good guy), had been up the mast on the Thursday evening to free the halyard, and came back on Friday morning to fix the motor.
I took the opportunity to go for a nice long walk round Waikawa. The Marina itself is quite large and the facilities are top notch. We did not go into the Boat Club but did have lunch in the Jolly Roger which is right on the marina and is a bar/café. Waikawa is quite populated and I walked through some fairly new housing developments. There are several Marine type businesses close to the marina and also apartment type living. It was nice to find the Camping ground, which bought back fond memories of a couple, now passed, who I first met and began to visit when they were living there some 30 years ago. The people I met along the way were all very friendly, older, and I would hazard a guess that a lot of people retire here.
Back on Hakurâ Tony
had everything well under control. I don’t think I had realized just how many tools a mechanic needs - he seemed to have everything with him bar spare batteries, and even those were sitting in the van as it turned out. At last it was time to turn the motor over. The key was turned . . . and absolutely nothing happened - dead as a dodo. You could almost hear the thud of hearts dropping. I was impressed by the way both Tony and Doug tried to make light of what was potentially disaster. Much pondering and muttering later batteries were produced. Not just one, but two; the second one so big a trolley was needed to get it down to the wharf. Then after several heart in mouth minutes, the motor finally turned over, and we were back in business.
By this time the weather had changed somewhat, and we had a strong wind holding us to the wharf providing us with our next challenge. After some discussion it was decided to walk the boat round to put it stern on to the wind. It should then be a simple procedure to reverse out, turn, go out
the entrance and be on our way.
Theory is a wonderful thing. The boat was able to be walked into the new position by the repositioning of ropes and taking it step, by slow step. When we were finally ready to move off I was at the helm. It reversed as planned, but as I tried to get the nose round to head out, a very strong gust of wind hit us and swung the boat in the wrong direction.
I did what every self respecting novice does at such times - panic. The Captain elbowed me out of the way and began a series of motorised manoeuvres that nearly saw the motor mutiny and march off the boat of its own accord. Words, once again, were spoken, and this time they were followed by tears. Really the last few days had just been too much and this was the last straw. But, full credit must be given to the Captain, he knows his stuff, and he soon had things under control and we were on our way back to Carey Cove (just down from the Portage).
Saturday saw us going to Picton to meet up with Scott and Maria (the Captains brother and his partner). A delightfully social time was had by all. We managed a perfect docking and departure at the Picton jetty much to our delight. All the challenges we are facing are helping us gain experience and we get better each time we do things.
Storm warnings were issued for Cook for the next three days, so we decided to shelter here in Carey Cove, which is becoming home away from home. Sunday was not too bad. In fact we had to wonder what all the fuss was about. Needing something to occupy ourselves, the Captain did the repairs needed to the halyard and I started taking the rust off all the stainless steel which has come up like new. We even put the tent up to shade us from the sun and spent a delightful day doing chores and odds and ends.
The WEATHER arrived at 4am Monday morning. It wasn’t too bad at that stage but we got up and took the tent down just in case. I believe 130km gusts were expected in the Sounds, Cook and Wellington. While we were sheltered from most of it, we spent about 12 hours being buffeted by gusts of wind (some of which were getting up there) and at times, torrential rain. It was pretty dramatic. While the boat handles it all very well the down side of all this excitement is that you become confined to the cabin.
Enter Cabin Fever. There is no where to go. While your intellect tells you how safe you are, and how secure the boat is (all true) you have worked out your escape plan should it be needed, and there is a certain tenseness that comes from being exposed to the elements at such close quarters. It is also exhilarating. I guess you have to come to terms with the fact that you are no longer in control. You can’t go anywhere, you can’t stop what is happening around you, you simply have to go with it.
Thank you Dorothy for all the puzzle books you have been sending us. They were a godsend. We also have a good collection of DVDs on board and two laptops, so we had a matinee in the afternoon and a feature movie in the evening. Eating takes up some of the time, but you are doing nothing to work it off so it becomes eating for something to do rather than enjoyment or hunger. Having said that, the Captain is a great cook and the red lentils and pasta dish he made us for dinner was very nice. We also had access to the internet and cell phones so we spent a lot of time on the internet (thank you to all those who send messages or mail).
Today, Tuesday, has dawned much calmer, and the forecast is for settling weather. We will move down to the outer Sounds again this evening and sail around to Pelorus Sound tomorrow as the winds according to the weather forecast will be with us.
This morning the wind is still quite gusty, but after yesterday nothing is a problem.
Quotes from the Captain -
(on getting the bill) - All offers of money, cakes or cottage pies gratefully received.
(in the middle of the storm) - Take a zen pose, relax and enjoy. There aint nothing you can do.
Footnote:
1. The phosphorescence each night has been spectacular.
2. Charter Link www.charterlinksouth.co.nz (highly recommended).
Advertisement
Tot: 0.183s; Tpl: 0.031s; cc: 13; qc: 61; dbt: 0.0884s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Jude
non-member comment
Wow you 2 are sure having some adventures down there. Great writing, it's almost like being there!