‘Twas An Early Start

Mana Marina (near Wellington)

Thursday 16 & Friday 17 April 2020

It was an early start, well, at least by recent – time-has-no-meaning-in-isolation – standards.  Having got down to the last slice of bread (okay, one slice and one crust) and the only thing left in the “fresh” category being half a dozen potatoes, I figured it was time to don rubber gloves and brave the New World …  Supermarket … down the road for a few vital supplies.

The early start was to ensure, as best I could, that I wouldn’t be stuck in a long queue – out the door and around the corner.  It was windy, overcast and threatening rain … so I figured 8:30ish on a Friday morning would see me going straight in.

And that’s pretty much how it played out.  There was hardly anyone there.  And despite the almost complets lack of face mask and rubber gloves … even on the staff – sorry, team members – it was spookily normal.  There was one man I briefly took for a masked super-hero, or Mexican bandido, but everyone else – completely normal … or hiding their paranoia very well.    

On my return, dragging my dodgy fully loaded trolly across the gravel I noticed the fisherman had his boat “Tradition” backed up to the seawall and was working on some of his net-dragging-lines, which he’d extended out across the car park.

We’ve got to know each other over the past 4 weeks in a “How ya goin’ “ kind of way.  So I called out as I clunkled over the gravel … “I ran out of ice-cream” … “Beer too, by the sounds of it”, he called back … to which I had to agree. 

“Got something from BOTH food groups … ice-cream AND beer”, I replied

Of course, I ONLY buy the beer, because it comes in a conveniently sized carton, which I place at the bottom of the shopping bag, thereby keeping the bag neatly square and a handy base on which to place all the other groceries … yes, including ice-cream.  If it wasn’t for the beer-carton I’d have to buy 4 ice-cream tubs to achieve the same result.  And that’d just be silly …??!!

I looked at a weather forecast today, and apparently it was cold outside.  Something I have put behind me, now that I have what must be the coziest boat on A-Row.  Whoever invented those column heaters, Mr Goldair probably, was really onto something.  I can see why Jacinta considers them an “Essential Product” .

Air New Zealand called me today … and in these troubled times, thoughts immediately fear the worst … cancelled flight being top of the list.  Anyway, it’s not too bad.  Apparently, the Wellington to Auckland flight on Saturday 25 April – my connecting flight – has been cancelled.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that there is still a  Wellington to Auckland flight on Monday 27 … just two days later.  What’s more, it also connects with an Auckland to Melbourne flight; one of just two being flown each week currently.

So, my New Zealand vacation will be lasting two days longer.   

In sorting out all the loose ends before flying home, I’m starting to make lists … writing down all the things that need to be done before heading away.  After all, you don’t want to come back to rotten fish at the bottom of a warm freezer, or vegies that were fresh … 9 months ago.

The biggest item on my list, of course, was to find a secure place for Chimere.  It’s been very comfortable and handy here at Mana, particularly with my cousins and friends living in the nearby suburbs.  But unfortunately, long-term, there’s a problem with Mana.  The reason being, that most of the berths here are privately owned, and all the owners of the bigger berths have already got boats in them, or will have within a month or two. 

As mentioned in my last Post, my plan is to return in about 9 months to complete the “unfinished business”, so Chimere needs to be parked where I can be guaranteed longer tenure.

This is where it is definitely an advantage to have someone local.  And my cousin Keith, is about as local and qualified in the boating world as you can get round these parts.  It’s through Keith that I was introduced to Adam, (who fixed our 240 volt water maker pump switches when we arrived) and it’s through Adam that we have been able to secure a permanent berth at another marina over in Wellington Harbour. 

I was familiar with this other marina, Chaffers, because I’d already called them a few weeks ago and was told they were chockers.  Adam, however, knew a bloke, who owned a berth at Chaffers, whose large boat – on which Adam did regular work – was up in Auckland.  Furthermore, Adam knew the boat wasn’t coming back, because it was being sold. 

“Would he like to rent his berth out?” … yes he would.   “Will he need the berth in the next 9-12 months” … no he won’t.  So the deal was done. 

The good thing about Chaffers is that it’s right in the middle of Wellington.  https://www.chaffersmarina.co.nz/  

Right out the front of the national museum of New Zealand …  Te Papa  https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/   In terms of a central location … think “The Rocks” in Sydney, or “Constitution Dock” in Hobart and it’s also just 15 minutes from the airport.

Oh, and it’s pretty much the same cost as the fees I was already paying at Westernport

Now that I’ve set my sights on flying home to Melbourne and ideally, returning to New Zealand in 2021 to pick up where we left off … I’ve given up on looking at crew-finder-sailing-websites … but I can’t leave with out giving you a taste of the Posts, Replies and Comments. 

As you would expect, they cover the full range … from serious thrill-seekers and captain Blighs to tropical tequila sunsets and crew-with-benefits-romance- opportunities … and if nothing else, it proves that boaty-folk are very generous and forthcoming with advice, wisdom and recommendations.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and ‘Twas An Early Start

Rob Latimer