Making Good Use of our Time

Friday 16 July 2021

It’s a little off-topic – in regards to a sailing adventure that is – but today was a very special day.  It marks the day on which James, WAS to have had his PhD graduation ceremony at the Australian National University (ANU).  Flowing robes, floppy cap, tassels, portrait photos and stand-up-finger-food – the full nine yards. 

Given the current COVID lockdown, however, the ceremony ended up being cancelled … but it doesn’t alter the fact that James has the official piece of paper as evidence of his incredible hard work and persistence … over years. 

In lieu of the official ANU ceremony, James was treated to a custom, home-based, ‘alternative’ ceremony officiated over by his partner Eva.  The six minute video-memento of the event featured introductory speech, congratulatory presentation and obligatory handshake, coupled with a most unexpected kiss on the lips from the officiating “Dean”.

There were even the empty chairs for missing family – Linda, Rob, Matt and Cathy – plus an opportunity for all present (two) to participate in photos and snacks at the conclusion.

Well done Eva, on marking the occasion in such a special and meaningful way!  

Linda and I are extremely proud of James … in all that he does.  The way he conducts himself – his compassion, integrity and persistence – again, well done James!

Meanwhile, just down the road in Paihia … Linda sends a postcard from her time of recovery and relaxation …

“This morning it was Back to my favourite couch, tucked in the bay window of the Paihai public library. I had my morning chat with the librarian – and told her about our son receiving his doctorate today.

Congratulations Dr James Latimer.

I then entered the main room and alas someone is on my couch and they are listening out loud to an iPad!!!!!!! The sign on door clearly said internet access outside Only.!!!!

I begrudgingly sat on the other couch, put my earplugs in (the foam noise blocking type) and proceeded to continue my journey with “the clockmaker’s daughter”. Not happy Jan!

Luckily this other library visitor left after a short while and things were restored to normality!!!! Yeah!

It had struck me as strange that free internet access was ONLY outside the library. After chatting further with the librarian, I discovered that in non-Covid times – 18 months or more ago – this sleepy little coastal town was visited in one season by up to 64 cruise ships. That’s thousands of people.

As it turns out, the Internet on cruise ships is extremely expensive but the Internet at the library is free. As a result, the librarian was often faced with the situation where thousands of people surrounded the library all trying to use the free Wi-Fi … hence the INTERNET OUTSIDE rule!!!!!!!

Observing all the different types of people visiting the library has also provided lots of entertainment. It is a must for all those who are locals to have a catch-up chat with the librarian and this includes local dogs! There is something about being welcomed by a friendly face when you arrive and I am very grateful for this as my visit to the library is the highlight in my day.

We have agreed to get someone to take our photo together on Monday as a memento of my visit to Paihai.  Fortunately, I’m starting to feel much better and should be good to fly home to Melbourne on Tuesday.

Back on Chimere, we are still waiting to learn whether or not we are to receive a VicHealth Quarantine Exemption.  No doubt, there’s a long queue ahead of us, but in the meantime we are trying to make good use of our time.

This included repairing one of the ball-bearing filled, sail track “cars”, that takes the mainsail up and down the mast, plus the fitting of a new, manual toilet pump, in the second head along with new O-rings in the basin taps. 

We were on a fix-it roll, and to top it off Matt and Harm, who are regular IT and techno-junkies have got the satellite weather system humming.    

They even linked the IridiumGo devise up to an external antenna I had fitted to the stern years ago, but rarely used.  Then there’s the HF radio – which again, I have rarely used – which Harm started playing with and managed to access radio weather forecasts from Australia; although from a distance it sounded like aliens were landing in the cockpit.

Meanwhile, after a couple of perfect days, the weather has come in very blowy … so, even if we were able to leave, we’d probably be sitting in a bay somewhere waiting for things to calm down a bit.  Where possible, we do try to avoid pain and misery … despite what you might have seen on Youtube sailing videos

Sam did wonders with dinner tonight, after a gentle (at least for him) walk (although I’m sure he must have run) to Paihia and back this afternoon. 

It’s at least an hour there and another hour back … which I think was very impressive.  Anyway, to ward off the risk of everyone going stir-crazy, I heard the guys talking about walking to Paihia to catch the Happy Boat across to Russell tomorrow.  So, we’ll see what happens.  (I’d vote for a taxi) I might even be able to spend the afternoon in the Paihia library with my dear wife Linda – so long as I keep my voice down and don’t access the free WiFi …

At the moment, the howling wind is back in the rigging and we are rocking from side to side, despite being in the marina.  I’m sure there are more things to fix and repair onboard, but the list is mercifully getting shorter!

Smooth seas, fair breeze and making good use of our time

Rob Latimer