Finally, something to write home about!

Home, Ringwood North (Melbourne)

Wednesday, 7 April 2021

After numerous false starts and rumours, an abundance of trans-Tasman diplomatic-speak and political posturing, the introduction last October of a one-way travel concessions (in a westerly direction) – even announcements of pending announcements – finally the big day came yesterday with the big news that a two-way, Aussie-Kiwi “Travel Bubble” would open up from 19 April; without the need for mandatory quarantine.

Naturally it can all be stopped, modified or suspended overnight if conditions change, but it’s a good start; to be sure!

Having maintained this NZ2020 Blog from January to May last year, I’ve resisted the urge to post additional news over the past 11 months because, really, there hasn’t been any. At least no news that really relates to sailing, or this ongoing adventure; soon to become a saga no doubt.

As for planning my next move, there’s not a lot I could do until there was clarity on travel. Technically. From what I was able to establish over the past few months, it has been possible to travel from Australia to New Zealand, despite the “DO NOT TRAVEL TO NEW ZEALAND” SmartTraveller emails I’ve been receiving like the following …

All you had to do was apply to the Australian Government for a Travel Exemption, then, assuming it was granted, (and you could get a flight) pay around $3,000 for 14 day’s of hotel quarantine on arrival in New Zealand.

So that I couldn’t be accused of holding back on potentially returning to New Zealand to resume my voyage, I thought I’d test the system. I must have been feeling lucky back in February, so I went online and submitted my “Travel Exemption” application to the Department of Home Affairs.

I considered applying under “COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS” – after all, being separated from my dearest, darling Chimere has been something of an emotional struggle. Or at least that’s what I would have contended. But in the end, I thought I’d apply on “BUSINESS GROUNDS”, because after all, there are financial implications to having Chimere stranded in Wellington which I need to address.

Obviously, Jason from “Travel Exemption Requests” didn’t quite see it that way, as the following email explains… ho hum, at least I tried.

Before going on I should thank everyone who has taken an interest in my welfare since returning in April last year – boat less – and also those who’ve made inquiries about when I plan to resume the NZ voyage.

Looking back, it’s been rather surreal living though a succession of lockdowns – but then that applies to most people really – and let’s face it, Australian and New Zealand are two of the BEST places in the world to have had to weather this storm – particularly those unfortunate enough to call Melbourne home.

I say unfortunate, because there was a time there last year when even people from New South Wales were starting to feel sorry for us. You just had to say, “I’m in Melbourne”, and they would typically say … “How’s it going?” with a genuine feeling of concern in their voice.

Click HERE for full article

You could be mistaken for thinking the following photo is from Hong Kong, Myanmar, or maybe Venezuela – but nope, it’s Melbourne … and the men in black weren’t at the Victoria Market to buy bananas?!

Not Western Australia. They shut their border to the rest of the world very early on and have been happy to pretty much keep it that way ever since. I think they’ve got the internet over there, but they seem to live in their own bubble, not seeming to care much about the rest of the country. But it’s certainly been a vote-winner if the latest election results are anything to go by.

Watching the 5-month long, Victorian Hotel Quarantine Inquiry play out last year, like a Reality TV drama, day-after-day was a revelation. Kind of a cross between Survivor, Big Brother and Mastermind, with an unhealthy number of key players seemingly incapable of remembering who did what, when, where and to whom; a case of collective selective amnesia it would seem.

My interest in the inquiry was of course heightened on account of having seen the “system” from the inside, so to speak. Based on all the information that was revealed in the inquiry, it seemed I dodged a bullet … or several bullets, plus a few landmines … in finally arriving back home unscathed.

While I’ve been making good use of my time, working through a very long list of overdue home and garden tasks, Chimere has been quietly bobbing away in her berth at Chaffers Marina in Wellington; for over 12 months now. I am extremely fortunate to have got to know – through my cousin Keith – a boating chap called Adam, who has been incredibly helpful and generous. Not only does Adam go aboard on a regular basis to give everything a run, he also addresses issues that arise from time to time. Like most recently, the need to move Chimere from one berth to another, over to the far side of the marina. All I can say is, thank you so much Adam. I’m just hoping that one day I’ll be able to repay all the many favours.

Here’s a picture Adam took just the other day, which he described as … “the best view in the harbour” … looking straight across to the main inter island ferry terminal.

Many people may not be aware, but it was always our plan to put Chimere on the market … when I returned to Melbourne last year. Naturally, it’s all been deferred 12-18 months, but nonetheless, we are starting to advertise as you can see HERE I even managed to put together a Promo Video, using the skills I gained during lockdown aboard in New Zealand last year, which you can find HERE if you’re interested.

So, what are the sailing plans, now that trans-Tasman travel “bubble” is becoming a reality? (Of course, … subject to change, terms and conditions apply, see store for detail)

Well, one thing’s for sure, my old friend (he’s slightly older than me) John Land, is itching to climb aboard, and there are a few others (some of whom still have unused airline tickets from last year sitting on the shelf) who might also like to sign up again.

Whilst it’s still a little early to lock anything in, I can start to see a possibility of returning in mid to late May, with a plan to cruise north to the Bay of Islands over June and July, with a return across the Tasman in August, taking a more northern route to avoid the strong winter westerlies further south. Watch this space!