Then there were two

Aboard Chimere, Chaffers Marina, Wellington

Tuesday 18, May 2021

My old university mate, John Land, flew in from Northland at 1:30 and was stepping on board around 3:00pm.  It was a jolly reunion and he was excited to be afloat again.  And I was really pleased that he could join me again, after sharing all of last year’s voyage; even flying to Melbourne to do the Tasman crossing in late January.

With the sun now deciding to make an appearance, and blue sky above, we were soon reflecting on the past year and the many twists and turns it has presented. 

As it turned out, there were strong indications in mid-March last year that travel restrictions might be put in place – on account of the unfolding COVID19 pandemic – but we were fuelled up, with the food lockers full and just one sleep away from sailing away down to the Marlborough Sounds. 

It was Sunday 22^nd March last year and also on board were friends Martyn, Annette and Gary.  It was a cosy vibe and we were all preparing to retreat to our respective cabins, when John received a call from home to say that his father had unexpectedly died a short time before.

To say the news was a shock, is something of an understatement.  There was nothing we could do but call an immediate halt to proceedings, with more important things to attend to.  Last year’s blog tells the story in more detail HERE

In summary, John was picked up by his sister a little more than an hour later, to rest up for their big drive north the next day.  Martyn, Annette and Gary, after only just loading their gear aboard earlier in the day, unloaded everything and said their good-byes.

By 10:00pm that night there was an eery quiet aboard as I sat in the saloon alone reflecting on the difficult emotional journey John and his family were to navigate over the next few days.

The funeral was three days later, on the 25 March, and at midnight that evening New Zealand entered Level 4 Lockdown.  After that no one was going anywhere – at least for the next 4 weeks. 

Fast forward to now … and we are starting to put the original plans and voyage back together. We have John back as First Mate, and Martyn, Annette and Gary are even planning to join us again, this time on the Tauranga to the Bay of Islands leg.

Gear that had been stored inside was sorted and put back in its usual place – up on deck, in the cockpit, or galley. It was also time to oil the winches, loosen up the cover zips, try out the mobile Honda generator and plan the preparations in a bit more detail.

Amongst the many jobs done today, the chart plotter display unit was put back in its spot in the cockpit, and naturally I turned it on just to be sure we were where it said we were.  Fortunately I can confirm that the chart plotter thinks we are in Wellington Harbour – D Row – so that was very reassuring.

While I was in the navigation mood, I pulled out my paper charts of the North Island and also downloaded the New Zealand charts for the NAVIONICS App on my smart phone; essentially turning the phone into another chartplotter – a backup if you like.

By 5:00ish it was starting to get dark and by 6:00ish we’d decided to wander up town to find a Chinese Restaurant, returning via the supermarket to stock up with a few things for the next day or two.

At the moment I’m fighting to stay awake and with the wind turning to the west it’s definitely got a bit colder with a tentative departure date, for the journey north,  set for next Tuesday 25^th; on the outgoing tide … or as we nautical folk say … on the ebb.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and then there were two.

Rob Latimer