Last Night at Mana

Mana Marina (near Wellington)

Tuesday 21 April 2020

In looking at the calendar, I see that John and I arrived here into Mana, direct from the West Coast town of Westport, on Friday 20^th March … that was exactly one month ago yesterday.  Of course, we all know what’s happened over the past 30 days or so, with life aboard Chimere being a lot quieter and a lot calmer, than originally planned … certainly a major understatement!

So, it’s with a great deal of excitement and anticipation that I face tomorrow’s “relocation task”.  In reality, it’s just a 40 mile hop down the coast.  Untying the mooring lines here … and picking up new mooring lines there.  But a sail is a sail … and any chance to get out on the big BLUE, particularly when the forecast looks so friendly … is one to embrace.

I think Keith and Adam are also looking forward to coming.  I hear that Christine has baked a pie and some muffins for the journey, and I’ve still got plenty of stores stashed away.  So there’s an element of leaving Hobbiton and Middle-Earth – it is New Zealand after all – as we venture forth at day-break on a journey.  I was going to say … “there and back again” …  but there’ll be no coming back from this journey.  Well, at least not until next year, and then not to Mana. Although … who knows?!

It’s also been terrific to have friends Gary and Theresa living so close on shore … just down the road, at the aptly titled, Captain James Cook-ish, suburb of Whitby.   Thank you for all your help, with such a large number of things.  Having missed out on our extended sail together, your names are definitely at the top of the list when bookings open for the 2021 Chimere Cruising Season …

The weather has definitely calmed down a tad over the past 24 hours.  Today it was rather warm, with a gentle north-west wind.  It even encouraged me to knocked out a load of washing.  That, and the fact that I put on “Underpants Number 14” this morning.  Which can only mean one thing in my 2-week wardrobe cycle. 

Now, with everything washed, dried and folded … I can be guaranteed of a clean getaway tomorrow.

Preparations for departure continued onboard – lashing down and tarping the small dinghy, spraying RP7 on anything that moves, sorting out life jackets, sea boots and wet weather gear, plus storing valuables below deck, like the portable Honda generator, for safe keeping. 

Not that tghere’s a lot to do … after all, two weeks ago Chimere was ready to embark on the return leg to Australia, so she’s certainly primed for the tomorrows sail.

Late in the day, after chatting with Keith and Adam on the phone – just confirming final details for tomorrow – it occurred to me that I hadn’t been for my walk today.  Looking up from the computer at the saloon table, I could see a glow over the hill to the west … which could only mean one thing.  If I don’t go now, it’ll be dark in less than 60 minutes.

The tide was well out, as you can see from the photos, and again, it highlights the importance of sticking to the channel; particularly when all the sand and rocks are covered with water to the edge.

I kept looking for the return of the Orcas … but it was obviously not their day.  But onshore, I did chance upon a large driftwood log covered in small rocks.  And on each rock someone – or many people maybe – had written a name or a message. 

I sent a photo to John of a stone emblazoned with the name Stella – being the name of his youngest daughter – and in reply, John asked if I’d written MY name on a stone and left it on the log, given that I’m just about a local now.  It was a nice thought … so maybe I’ll put that on my list of “last minute tasks” … along with returning the key-pass to the gate.

 

      

Smooth seas, fair breeze and last night at Mana

Rob Latimer