Author Archives: freedomsail

Marina Gisborne Friday 28 May 2021 The sun came up off our starboard bow, marking our second day out of Wellington.  Our speed was slow, but steady with a daily run of around 126 miles. Life in the galley resumed somewhat, with my attempt at a Pizza creation on a Pita Bread base, going downContinue reading “Shore leave in Gisborne”

At sea, 15 miles east of Cape Kidnappers Thursday 27 May 2021 The weather forecast turned out to be remarkably accurate – very little wind, but a confused sea, the result of a lingering storm north-east of here. On “paper”, the sea state looked worse than it actually turned out to be, showing as itContinue reading “Rolly & Lumpy – as expected”

At sea, 40 miles NE of Cape Palliser Wednesday 26 May 2021 Our last night at the marina was still and calm.  The rain and wind had gone somewhere else, for a time, and we were left with a starry sky and reflections in the still water around us. After completing most of the importantContinue reading “Out on the BIG BLUE again”

Aboard Chimere, last night at Chaffers Marina, Wellington Tuesday 25 May 2021 Everyone slept well last night, with Kate zipping back home in her car around 8:00am to pick up a few things.  On returning to the boat around 10:00, we headed up the Motorway to Petone, Lower Hutt and the Seaview Marina to buyContinue reading “Amazing the difference a day makes”

Aboard Chimere, Chaffers Marina, Wellington Monday 24 May 2021 With our scheduled departure time set for tomorrow, there’s been quite a deal of last minute preparation, along with the studying of both short and long term weather forecasts; from a range of sources, including the MetService, Predict Wind, Windy and BouyWeather In the end I’veContinue reading “To go, or not to go …”

Aboard Chimere, Chaffers Marina, Wellington Sunday 23 May 2021 It was a still and quiet night, with the morning again seeing rowers – in 8s, 4s and Pairs – going through their paces in the calm conditions; sometimes having instructions barked at them through a megaphone from a small motor boat trailing off to theContinue reading “Then there were three …”

Aboard Chimere, Chaffers Marina, Wellington Saturday 22 May 2021 The day dawned chilly but bathed in sunshine as the morning rowers took advantage of the millpond-like conditions on the bay.  It really was still, with the rise in temperature allowing John and I to continue with our painting activities. The really exciting event today –Continue reading “Nostalgia time again”

Aboard Chimere, Chaffers Marina, Wellington Friday 21 May 2021 The wind howled for the first half of the day, maybe longer, with waves breaking over the small breakwater a short distance off the bow. But there was no clean-hull diver, or marine surveyor, on account of a range of issues, but the revised plan isContinue reading “Be like the water …”

Aboard Chimere, Chaffers Marina, Wellington Thursday 20 May 2021 Of course, today was going to be a frantic day on the travel lift – giving us around 6 good hours to clean the hull, possibly slap on some antifoul paint, get the hull polished above the waterline, obtain a hull survey and check everything beforeContinue reading “Time off for lunch”

Aboard Chimere, Chaffers Marina, Wellington Wednesday 19 May 2021 That’s how the email from the Marina office started, “Bad news Robert…” the email continued … “looks like the boat lift may be out of action for at least a week (new slings & welding of hooks required)!!   I’m so sorry!  Talk soon…” Which was aContinue reading “Bad news Robert …”