Author Archives: freedomsail

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 allContinue reading “Then there were two”

Aboard Chimere, Chaffers Marina, Wellington Monday 17, May 2021 Howling wind gave way to pouring rain through the night, but tiredness and sleep conquered all.  Despite the conditions outside, it was certainly snug inside, resulting in a sleep-in and a socks and slippers kind of morning.  Breakfast was still underway around 11 o’clock, which wasContinue reading “A slow first day”

On board Chimere, Chaffers Marina, Wellington Sunday 16 (Evening), May 2021 Getting to sleep last night was a challenge, as all the outstanding and current tasks and issues in front of me kept my brain alive and active.  Don’t forget this, make sure you pack that, chase up this person or that, hope I findContinue reading “Reunited Once More”

Home, Ringwood North (Melbourne) Saturday 15, May 2021 Three days ago, 12th May, I celebrated twelve months since my release from 14 days of Hotel Quarantine at the Pan Pacific in Melbourne.   As many will be aware, after 4-5 weeks of lockdown in a New Zealand marina aboard Chimere, it seemed things were goingContinue reading “‘Twas the night before – NZ20/21 Unfinished Business”

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,Continue reading “Finally, something to write home about!”

Home, Ringwood North (Melbourne) Monday, 11 May 2020 So, here I am sitting at my old desk again in Ringwood North, pecking away at my keyboard.  In some ways it feels like I’m trying to recall a dream after waking up from a 4-month sleep.  Like any dream, there are bits that are starting toContinue reading “I’m Free Again!”

Pan Pacific Hotel, Rm 1214 (Melbourne) Sunday 10 May 2020 Looking back on my last full day in captivity, (and let me say Happy Mother’s Day to all relevant parties), it’s hard to pin down exactly what I’ve been doing.  There was online church at 10:00am, followed by a smaller gathering of half-a-dozen or so,Continue reading “Just One More Sleep”

Pan Pacific Hotel, Rm 1214 (Melbourne) Saturday 9 May 2020 The phone call around 9:30 this morning was most unexpected.  “Hello Mr Latimer, you’re down for a fresh-air-break today, around 6:30-7:00pm.  Is that OK with you?” … I was caught a bit off guard, and simply said, “Ah, yeah, that would be great, thanks …Continue reading “More Fresh Air”

Pan Pacific Hotel, Rm 1214 (Melbourne) Friday 8 May 2020 Before breakfast, or at least the delivery of my breakfast-meal-bag, I had the latest, Victorian Government’s Health & Human Services, “Coronavirus Newsletter” slipped under my door.  As before, it was full of questions in bold print I’d never thought of asking, with answers I hopeContinue reading “Testing Time”

Pan Pacific Hotel, Rm 1214 (Melbourne) Thursday 7 May 2020 Over the past few days, I’ve been uploading photos and captions to the earlier parts of this blog.  In particular, the first 14 days of March, just two months ago, when Linda, Matt and James came aboard Chimere at Bluff – at the very botton-endContinue reading “Re-Living the Voyage”