Akaroa Harbour
Monday 17 February 2020
The day began warm, almost hot, in fact the hottest day we’d experienced so far in New Zealand at around 33 degrees
Carsten set the tone early by jumping over the side for a swim, with Dean, Sandy and Samantha doing likewise later in the day, after their 3-hour walk up the nearby hill to the Heritage Garden. It was a hot day for a walk and so on return to the beach (a secluded beach to be sure) they stripped down to their “under garments” and splashed about; not even waiting to return to the boat.
Meanwhile, back on board, Carsten and I relaxed, with me catching up on blog-writing, paperwork charging the batteries and maintenance and Carsten exploring the boat between bouts of reading, coffee making and relaxing
At the pre-arranged time of 4:00pm I went ashore to meet Dean, Sandy and Samantha for a well-earned beer at a local pub – plus another aimless stroll down the main street. Rather than tempt fate, or the embarrassment of translation Dean resisted the urge to ask for a Pan Head IPA (refer Saturday’s blog) preferring instead to order a Lyttleton Pale Ale, first enjoyed at the Eruption Brewery on our arrival there way back on Friday.
Dinner back on board Chimere consisted of sweet and sour chicken, ably prepared by Dean, eaten while watching another magnificent sunset.
With our focus turning more and more to the journey south and then onto Fiordland, I thought it was time I looked up the latest news on Milford Sound and the surrounding region; the weather, road conditions and likelihood of crew being able to come and go from the region given the extensive damage.
The above photos speak for themselves, but from what we can determine, it’s most unlikely that the roads will be restored to normal in just 3-4 weeks. This is bound to precipitate a change our plans, but there’s nothing we can do at this time but wait and speculate.
Smooth seas, fair breeze and a day of rest!
Rob Latimer
NZ2020 