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 buy some essential goods such as water filters, zinc anodes and undercoat paint. 

All the while there were signs of improved weather, with blue sky making a brief appearance early on, then increasing in the afternoon.

As Kate and I drove from store to store, to get the last of our items, work back onboard continued apace under John’s guidance … cleaning the hull above the water line … tidying up all the tools and other items … lashing down the deck boxes and generally preparing Chimere for sea.

Kate and I returned in time for lunch, after which Alvin’s plumbing skills were put to good use fixing a leak in the watermaker pipework and changing O-rings in some taps.

The new filters enabled me to crank up the watermaker and pump out some “pretty sweet” H2O … described by Kate on tasting it as … “sweet”, literally … which I took to be high praise. 

With our tanks full, there’s every chance we won’t need to use the watermaker … at least for the next week or so, but it’s good to have it as a backup.  Who knows, we might all develop a liking for hot showers; draining the tanks before we can fill up at the next port

Further study of the latest weather forecasts – including wind strength and direction, plus wave and swell height (and direction) have brought us to the conclusion that we will, indeed, set course for Tauranga tomorrow.  We had been toying with the idea of doing a 45 mile “test sail” down to Port Underwood, across Cook Strait  at the top of the South Island. (Essentially in the wrong direction)

This would have enabled us to give the new crewmembers a chance to become familiar with Chimere’s “ways”, while we waited for better weather conditions for heading north.

Our current dilemma is that whilst the winds have died down, the big seas of the past week or so are still expected to take a couple of days to die down.  This has the potential to make our progress up the coast slow and uncomfortable, but at least we will be travelling in the right direction

In coming to a decision, about where to go … and in fact, whether to go … there’s generally four key considerations, (all other things being equal) to take into account. These being …  

1. Wind speed 2. Wind direction 3. Sea height 4. Sea direction

If you’re really fortunate you can score 4 out of 4 … but not often.  A score of 3 out of 4 can tip the balance towards setting sail.  But a score of 2 or less, generally means staying at home, or at anchor – with a good book.  

Late in the day Kate and I mounted an assault on the nearby New World supermarket, buying everything on our list, plus a few extra treats for good measure.  The staff at the checkout were fascinated with the idea that we were heading off on a yacht and offered to take a photo for us.  They also gave us a $5 Coffee Voucher … maybe because we spent so much!  

After dropping the groceries off at the marina, Kate took her car home, returning on the next bus to move aboard for good – at least as far as Tauranga.

While John prepared dinner, Harper, Alvin and I lifted both dinghies onto the foredeck, completing the task under deck lights as the cold of the early evening started to cut through our clothing. It was good to retreat to the warmth of the cabin.

Having finished dinner and working our way through a few cups of tea and some of Kate’s lovely baked muffins, we sat around the saloon table and talked of the prospects for tomorrow, the journey to come and the calm weather-window ahead.  Ideally, three days of light wind, and abating seas, that should see us in the Gisborne region – largely with the aid of the engine – and within access of a port-of-shelter, before rounding East Cape – which can be a “problem” if the winds and seas are not playing ball; hence the port of shelter.

As for now, I feel confident all the major preparation-tasks have been ticked off, so it’s important to get an early night, in preparation for an early morning start tomorrow.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and it’s amazing the difference a day makes

Rob Latimer

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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’ve decided to stay put.  At least for 24 hours.  Which should be enough time to complete the last of our onboard tidy-up, lift the two dinghies back onto the deck and do some grocery shopping.

In talking with several locals, and on the news service, it seems the current weather pattern is most unusual, bringing massive seas to the north of here and conditions that just won’t move away.  (A typical report is HERE)  Why it chose to park itself right here, right now, is anyone’s guess.

So, at this stage we’ll look to get away on Wednesday, and maybe even do a short “test sail” across to Port Underwood at the top of the South Island about 45 miles away.  This would provide our crew of five – who are all now onboard by the way – with some first-hand experience of sailing Chimere and test that all the sails and running rigging are fully operational, after 12 months in mothballs.

The big task today was to pick up the re-built gear for the sheet winch, at a factory an hour just north of here.  Kate, who arrived onboard after lunch with a stash of yummy looking homemade meals she’d prepared, plus other tasty baked goods, (oh, and her kit) drove me the one hour there and back. 

The business manager, Ken, had done a wonderful job of grinding the old teeth off the cog, heat-shrinking and bolting on a new smooth bronze sleeve, then milling the dozens of small teeth back in place.  All with exactly the same size, depth and pitch. 

It was fascinating to actually see the machine and hear from Ken something of its history.  How it was originally built in Germany, was used to make gears for Messerschmitt aeroplanes during the Second World War, then acquired by the allied forces as part of a post war disarmament, or disabling, strategy.  After 75-plus years, here the machine was, sitting in Ken’s factory making a cog for our wee little winch.

The weather was foul overnight and stayed that way for at least half the day.  My inquiry as to whether I was likely to see diver-Dean today, returned a comment along the lines of … “we’ll assess it mid-day … see whether it’s starting to clear”   As it turned out, after lunch Dean and his “sidekick” – Brett, turned up and did a great job over the course of about two hours.  Not only cleaning the hull, but also checking the zinc anodes. 

Unfortunately, the nearby chandlery only had three suitable anodes in stock – half the required number – but once I bought and drilled Dean handed them one at a time to his assistant to bolt in place.  The old ones had definitely served their time and had done their job admirably.  (Find out more about sacrificial anodes HERE)   

All I need now is some official-looking paperwork to prove that I have a clean hull, before venturing north.

Our fifth crew member, Alvin, stepped aboard this evening, having travelled down from Northland, via Auckland. Alvin owns his own steel yacht so I’m thinking we’ll have plenty to talk about in the days ahead. 

Right now, everyone is tucked up in their respective bunks, the howl of the wind stepping down a notch; in accordance with the forecast. 

Blowing from the south-ish direction it is absolutely freezing outside (and now it’s starting to rain again).   Here inside my snug, warm saloon, however, my new brass wall-clock has its big hand on the twelve and its little hand on the one, telling me that I too should retire   

Smooth seas, fair breeze and to go or not to go

Rob Latimer

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 the side.

Seeing the rowers it brought back memories of my father’s stories of growing up here in Wellington and in the 1930s being in the Sea Cadets in nearby Oriental Bay. One of dad’s most enduring memories was of ten or more boys rowing big, heavy clinker-built dinghies around getting positively cold and wet, with one or more on permanent bailing duties.

There was also more cloud cover than yesterday, showing signs, no doubt, of the cold and windy snap to come.

The wind and wave predictions for the next few days are being studied in a little more detail now.  Their accuracy increasing the closer we get – to our time of departure.  At the moment, the big Low-Pressure system centred a fair way north of here looks like moving off to the east, bringing more moderate conditions.  That is, after tomorrow’s big blow.

After a slow breakfast, John and I got back into washing and painting the deck, making the most of the remaining fine weather, while Matt set about doing some scrubbing inside. 

Nearby, onshore, it was market day, with a large selection of fruit and vegetables on offer, plus food stalls, entertainment and more.  It was a perfect morning for it, with Matt, John and I wandering around, taking a break while paint dried.

Returning to the boat for lunch – no fast food from a street vendor for us – it was great to catch up briefly with my cousin Pam (Keith’s sister) who was in town with her husband Mark and friends.

At 3:00 o’clock it was time to say our sad good-byes to Matt.  He’d be catching the 5:00pm flight back to Christchurch and although the visit was brief, the effort and expense to come for just one night was greatly appreciated by John and me.

Clouds built throughout the afternoon and at one-point small spots of rain could be detected, causing me to break out a tarp to cover the section of the foredeck we were painting.  Of course, it then came out sunny, with the reprieve lasting till fading light definitely brought play to an end.

Last night’s meal left us with enough leftovers to solve tonight’s dinner dilemma, which was accompanied with the surplus bread rolls from Matt’s shopping expedition yesterday.

Around 7:30pm, the much-anticipated arrival of John’s oldest grandson, Harper, brought the average age of the crew down significantly.  Crew numbers also took a 50% hike to a total of three … with two more planned arrivals tomorrow.

Harper was to have joined us for part of last year’s voyage, but it was not to be … blame it on the COVID?!    

Right now, it’s late in the evening, John and Harper have retired to their bunks and the predicted rain and wind has definitely arrived.  A short while ago there was a little more rocking and rolling than normal, causing me to venture outside to tighten lines and add a further line to the stern. 

With conditions deteriorating, I’m starting to wonder now whether my hull-cleaning-diver will make an appearance tomorrow.  Meanwhile the pitch of the wind in the nearby rigging, just went up a notch.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and then there were three

Rob Latimer

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 – not the painting of the deck, or the sanding of the toe rail – was the arrival of our old university flatmate Matt Brosnahan, who had come up on the morning flight from Christchurch to spend a couple of days aboard.

Back in the day … 40 years ago actually or around 14,600 days … John, Matt and I, plus friends Sean and Herb (Brian) spent a couple of years flatting together down at Lincoln University (20km outside Christchurch) and we have kept in touch ever since. 

As readers of this Ship’s Log from last year will remember, Matt joined John and me (along with Aussie friends Sean, Sandy and Samantha) on the voyage from Picton down to Lyttleton Harbour (Christchurch) and Akaroa; near to where Matt and his wife Philomena live.    If you haven’t seen it, Dean produced a video of the trip which can be viewed HERE

It was great to see Matt again, and we quickly slipped back into the familiar-friend routine … catching up on each others news and recalling times and events of the past.  As they say … “the older we get the better we were …”

I’ll include a photo of the three of us together, plus a few from 40 years ago, just for fun.  AS you can see, we’ve hardly aged a bit … well at least I haven’t … don’t know about the other two?!

Matt quickly slipped into his old gear and attached himself to some sandpaper, before later wandering up to the supermarket as the first step in taking care of lunch for us all.

Kate joined us again and resumed her position scrubbing, then lightly sanding the teak work. Then, a bit later we were joined by two of Kate’s sailing and work friends Sandra and Shelene, who got in on the action.  Thank you for your help ladies! 

Mid afternoon saw the Rigger, Josh, step aboard, primarily to check the tension on the stays, all the fittings on the mast and point out any issues he could see.  I didn’t expect there would be any problems, given the rig is not even 18 months old and we had it checked on arrival in Picton last year, but after 12 months sitting unused I just wanted to be sure.

In further weather news, tomorrow will continue to be fine – which is great for our painting – but Monday is expected to be very “average”, to use a common sailing understatement.  Tuesday, our planned day of departure, looks like it is improving, with the rest of the week considered “reasonable” – NOT ideal, but manageable. 

Well, I suppose time will tell.   But if we get out past the Wellington Harbour Heads and the weather doesn’t suit taking a left turn up the coast in comfort … or a reasonable degree of comfort … we can always take a right and park in a quiet Marlborough Sound anchorage for a night or two, just across Cooks Strait.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and nostalgia time again

Rob Latimer

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 is that they will turn up on Monday. 

Changing plans and the need to rearrange our activities to suit, reminded me of the famous Bruce Lee mantra, … or was it Yoda? … to … “be like the water”.  In any case, the idea is to be flexible, changeable … adaptable … “like water in a stream hitting a rock … my young Padawan … flow around, not through”. Deep eh?!

One thing we definitely can’t change is the weather.  And whilst our departure from Wellington is still a few days off, the long-term forecast for next week (up the east coast of the North Island) was looking really favourable, two days ago.  Then yesterday it took a turn for the worse, as a large weather pattern to the north, packing winds of 50 knots or so, looked like heading south.   Now it appears the large Low Pressure system might be dissipating later next week, meaning that instead of possibly stopping at Gisborne after 2 days and around 240 miles, (to avoid the worst of the weather) we might be able to continue on directly to Tauranga a further 2 days on from that.

As I said, our departure is still a few day’s out, and almost anything can happen in that time, but we are definitely planning to be ready to untie the lines early Tuesday morning – and yes, with 5 people on board, because it looks like Kate will be joining us.

Speaking of Kate, she was back on board this arvo, scrubbing the aft end of the teak toe rail and sharing sailing war stories over lunch.

One small issue, in having decided to be ready for departure on Tuesday, is that the cog from the sheet winch, which I’d dropped into an engineering business yesterday for repair, was originally meant to be ready on Tuesday. And that was really pushing the manager Ken, particularly for a small job that was just lobbed on him out of the blue.  My thought now was … “I wonder if Ken could have the repaired cog ready on Monday?”  … his possible response reminding me of the popular old poster and message of a bunch of laughing people with the phrase  … “YOU WANT IT WHEN?”

Anyway, there was only one way to find out … make the call.  After a chat with the secretary Donna, and a long period on hold, I got the news that … “we’ll try and get it done Monday”   Now, assuming the cog is all good to go on Monday, I just have the simple task of getting it from the factory an hour’s drive north of town to here; which now seems like a small issue. 

As an absolute fall-back position, I just happen to have a very large spare winch under the floor in one of the cabins, which I could install in the cockpit as a temporary measure, with the repaired cog posted north to Tauranga for pick up in a week’s time.  But … based on the tone of Donna’s voice, and Ken’s friendly, helpful manner (which I sensed when we met yesterday) I’m feeling confident things will work out.   

Phil returned to complete the servicing of the engine and generator, with his meticulous and thorough attention to detail fixing a couple of issues – in the generator engine water cooling department – that were bound to become a problem soon enough; potentially saving us a lot of headaches, not to mention money.    

As a “mission critical” task, it was a great relief to know that the two main engines have had a service!

By 5:00pm, the wind had almost been turned off, or at least turned down to maybe a 1 or a 2 … and it was time for John and I to head off to dinner with my cousin Keith and his wife Christine.  We ended up at a nearby Vietnamese restaurant and after a great evening found our way back to the boat – that’s John and I – after first stopping by the local New World supermarket for some essential supplies – including Tim Tam biscuits.

By now it was around 11:00pm – not the ideal time to start writing the day’s Ship’s Log, so I’m guessing tonight’s epistle is a few words short of the average.

Oh, I forgot to mention, the Yacht Tracker is now working.  The link is HERE …  which can be found at the top of the Home Page.

Now that we are on board and have the VHF radio turned on, there’s another way you can locate us, even track our movements, and that’s on the website … www.marinetraffic.com   Once you go to the website, just search “Chimere” (top right corner of the page) and select the Australian vessel (AU)  

I’ve just looked up at our new saloon clock, and it really is late when today has become tomorrow.  It’s past my bedtime.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and be like the water

Rob Latimer

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 before being plopped back in the water.  With the travel lift out of order for the next week or so, however, we focused our attention on other tasks onboard, specifically cleaning, unpacking, sorting and painting.

In retrospect it was probably a good thing we weren’t going to be lifted out of the water today, because the engine service was not fully completed yesterday, leaving us with no functioning motor to go anywhere, even if we wanted to.  Phil, the diesel mechanic needed to return later today to finish off, bringing a new O-ring for the water intake strainer with him, along with other bits for the generator.

With the intention of eventually catching up for a meal sometime, I called friends Gary and Theresa to say g’day.  And after exchanging news of the past 12 months, we set a time to meet around 12 noon, with Gary and Theresa insisting on shouting John and me out to lunch. 

Meanwhile, John and I kept working away at our tasks until we were distracted by a woman climbing up and over the stern rail – as you would?!  “Hello Kate” I called out, thinking initially it might have been … I’m really not quite sure who, because whoever it was needed to have been let in through the big security gate. 

But all of a sudden it had occurred to me that when Kate dropped by yesterday, she said there was a chance she might be able to return today to help with … whatever.   And as she explained, she just followed someone else in through the gate.

In the course of getting Kate set up to clean and scrub the teak toe rail – she did say she was happy to do anything – discussion turned to the possibility of her maybe joining us for the sail up to Tauranga; a journey Kate had done a couple of times before on other boats.   

“That would be great, the more the merrier”, I said … so, if Kate can alter her work shifts (as a Vet) who knows, we may have a complement of 5 POB (persons on board) when we head out of Wellington Harbour; which is looking increasingly like being next Wednesday.  

Soon after Kate arrived, Gary and Theresa called to say they were at the security gate, and it was terrific to catch up again.  The first time, in person, since around April last year, at which time they were just so helpful to me as I sat on board Chimere in the Mana Marina during the Level 4 Lockdown.

After making ourselves presentable, (that’s me and John) we headed off to lunch at a nearby eatery called “Joe’s Garage”, which made a classy change from sandwiches and last night’s leftovers on the boat. 

Like a trooper, Kate kept scrubbing the woodwork and had the bow section looking “sweet as” by the time we returned. 

Grabbing the opportunity to have one of Chimere’s winch gears repaired, Gary and Theresa kindly drove me to a specialist gear maker in Paraparamu about 30 minutes beyond, their home at Whitby.  Apart from being a lovely day for a drive it was also an opportunity to reminisce as we passed Mana Marina where I’d spent about 5 weeks last year.

The problem with the winch gear was that it had lost a few teeth – some time in the distant past.  It worked okay, most of the time, but when it was under significant load it had been known to jam.  Which, to put it politely, could be right bothersome.   

After a bit of a chat, Ken at the gear place reckoned he could fix it like new – Simples!  He might even have it back to us on Tuesday.  I certainly hope so because with the weather turning favourable, it would be good to be ready to leave on Wednesday.

With this important task successfully put in motion, if not completed, we stopping for a coffee and cake at a nearby shopping mall before hitting the road south.  I said my good-byes at the Mana Railway Station, where a Wellington-bound train runs about every 20 minutes.       

Having seen so many of these trains travel up and down the coast, now I had the opportunity to actually travel on one.  “Where do I buy a Pass or Ticket?” I asked Gary.  “You get them on the train” came the reply.  “What, there’s a machine, or something?” digging deeper.

“No, there’s a person selling tickets on the train.  They only take cash, no credit cards, and once they tear off the paper ticket, they “clip” it with a little hand clicker thing”

“Wow, that’s fantastic” just like olden times. 

And so it was.  I even have the clipped tickets to prove it.  The fare was $8:50, which translates into 2 x $4 tickets plus 1 x 0:50 ticket.   Seemed like great value for money to me.

Once back in Wellington it was a relatively short walk from the railway station, around the waterfront to the marina, where John was finishing off some painting before the day’s light was all but gone.

My cousin Keith, who also lives up in the Mana area, called to have a chat and tee up a time to hopefully catch up tomorrow – which will be great.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and time off for lunch

Rob Latimer

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 a bit of a surprise, given the “lift” for tomorrow was confirmed earlier in the day.

“That’s a bit of a nuisance” I replied.

So it is with plans, they’re made for changing.  And in this case, there was nothing I could do but accept the news and find a work-around.   

The marina office manager was good in trying to find an alternative slipway nearby, but all available travel lift machines would require me to remove the three front forestays on Chimere to fit under the machine’s front boom.  I could do it, but only if it was essential.

In the end I reasoned that the only “essential” task was to have a clean hull and a certificate to prove it; before heading north.  And to achieve this I could simply hire a diver (well, simple for the diver) for a few hours to do his magic with a big brush – simples!

Well, kind of simple.  I’ve had to cancel the out-of-water hull survey, and the above waterline hull clean, but in the end they really weren’t absolutely necessary tasks. 

The engine and generator were being serviced today by Phil from Straight Marine – that’s an essential task – and I’ve got Josh the rigger coming on Saturday to check the tension on the standing rigging, with everything else falling to John and me.  We’ll even give the hull a polish ourselves from the dinghy, one of which we’ll be putting in the water tomorrow, partly to check the outboard motor.

There was a surprise this afternoon with a visit from Kate … a long-time friend of an Aussie friend of mine.  Kate originally hales from Australia but has definitely made her home in New Zealand and as well as that, shares a love of boats.  During my lock-down time aboard last year I shared a few emails with Kate, but in the end we never met, so it was good to share a cuppa and put a face to a name.  Whether we can tempt Kate aboard as a crew member on the leg north remains to be seen, but she has offered to assist us where she can in the time we are here in Wellington.   

In other news, the sun came out again today and it was actually warm enough to get sunburnt – at least for me. (But I didn’t, because I’m very safety conscious, just ask my wife Linda?!)   It was very pleasant, and the wind even died down to a light breeze, which certainly made a change from the past few days.

In other news, there really isn’t much, with the photos giving a picture of the day’s “vibe”. 

Oh, on the boat-sale front, (as opposed to the boat-SAIL front) I’ve had a couple of local people express interest.  One person who lives aboard his boat nearby in this marina, and another is an inquiry off the New Zealand version of “Gumtree”, called “Trade Me”, and he wants to actually come and have a look on Friday.     

And despite my best efforts it’s now nearly 10:00pm, I’m falling asleep and I haven’t finished typing.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and bad news Robert….

Rob Latimer

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

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 was really only 9 o’clock Melbourne time, when my cousin Keith called to check in.

It was good to catch up on his news making me feel almost a local, what with our respective fathers being brothers an’ all.

In talking with Keith about my planned slipping of Chimere on Thursday, it dawned on me that if I’m going to do a high-pressure water clean and the weather on Thursday is fine, then I should also give the hull a paint.  My problem was that I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on paint, and then not use it.  Which remained a possibility.  But if I didn’t order the paint in advance, then the chance of the local shop just having it on the shelf should I walk in on Thursday, was slim.    

At least I could do some research.  So in the early afternoon, with the rain seeming to lighten off a bit, I wandered up town a short distance to the local chandlery – Barton Marine, to see what I could see.  As it turned out, the friendly guy in the store understood my dilemma and was more than happy to put the only two suitable cans in the store aside until Thursday.  He also asked me about replacement zinc anodes, should I discover I need them, of which he had plenty.    

This was my kind of store, but the trouble with chandleries, particularly for a boatowner, is that there are so many tempting, “essential” items on display – all calling out as you walk by … buy me, buy me, buy me.

It must act on that part of the brain which somehow triggers an auto-response along the lines of … “Gee I could do with one of those”, or thoughts to that effect

A case in point was the glass cabinet at the front of the store; naturally hiding all the best bits.   

I glanced inside and couldn’t help myself – the auto-response – “That’s a good price for a brass clock”, I said.  Probably not the best way to start any bargaining/purchasing situation.

The fact is, our previous antique-looking brass clock in the saloon died a few years ago and in the end I finally removed it because each time you’d instinctively look in that direction you’d quickly realise the same thing … “oh it doesn’t work it’s still 11:23”. 

The helpful guy explained that since COVID they couldn’t get much new stock from overseas and had decided to mark down the price of the stuff they had.  Which, now I type the words, it doesn’t really make sense. Anyway, I couldn’t help digging my hole deeper by declaring … “That clock would fit the space perfectly in our saloon”

After that there wasn’t much left but to pay my money and buy it – quick before I looked at anything else.    And I must say I was 100% correct – I didn’t buy anything else – but as you can see from the before-and-after pictures, it was more of an “investment” than an expense.

Rain was getting heavier and so after only a short walk I wandered back to the boat for a late lunch

Earlier on in the day Adam dropped by, giving me a chance to thank him in person for all the care and attention he has shown Chimere over the past year. He asked whether I had been able to tee-up some contractors to help with the preparations. And at this stage it’s looking good. 

The key tasks being to service the engines, check the rigging, get a marine survey while she’s out of the water and give the hull above the water line a bit of a polish;  John Land (who flies in tomorrow) and I will be able to do the water blasting and antifouling.

While he was on board the ever helpful Adam also gave me the password to the marina Wi-Fi.  Which is a wonderful thing to have.  I would have eventually got it from the office later in the day but it was nice to be able to turn off the data roaming and hotspot connection on my phone and tap into the local system; which indirectly I’m probably already paying for

There was a brief, still moment late in the day when I could go on deck , drink my coffee and munch on a Tim Tam, without getting wet or being blown away, and just gaze out at the world – the watery, grey, Wellington world laid out before me.  Even have a chat with a small bird making use of our bow line as a perch to dry his feathers.

In keeping with the general tone of the day, I’m now preparing for a relatively early night, so it’s back to my cosy bunk – first cabin on the left.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and a slow first day

Rob Latimer

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 find enough crew for the return Tasman leg …  

I suppose I must have eventually got to sleep, because four hours late I instinctively opened my eyes and glanced at the clock … 4:06am … the alarm will be going in four minutes – how does that happen?!

Overriding all the planning and preparation was of course the fact that I’d be leaving Linda alone … again …   

“Not for long … I’ll be seeing you next month”, I pleaded to Linda. 

They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, but 12 months of being largely confined at home together can do that too.  For some the opposite is true, sadly, but Linda and I make a good team and so it’s hard to explain the separation favourably in terms of, “… but I’m only going away to give you some time to yourself… darling?!”   Mmmmm.

Linda was up soon after me and after running through the final check list it was off to the airport – you get a good run at 5:00am!  Which ever way you choose to go.

“How much time should you allow beforehand for an international flight?”  We agreed that 3 hours was the benchmark and so with the formalities of Check In, clearing Customs and Security complete, I sat around and waited till boarding.

As expected, the place was almost dead – not just because it was 6:00am – and looking out the departure lounge  window there was certainly a dominance of Qantas planes, with a couple of Air New Zealand ones thrown in for good measure. Pretty much all flights, and there weren’t many, seem to be going to New Zealand … Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and my flight to Wellington.

After half an hour sitting in a lonely departure lounge, I walked back to the only open café, so as to get a cappuccino and a muffin.   After 20 minutes or so there was an announcement over the loudspeaker for those travelling to Auckland to make their way to the departure lounge.  It was apparently time for them to board their plane, but passengers were reminded that, “… different states in Australia had different Covid regulations and restrictions, based on changing circumstances, and that they should check the latest rulings because passengers might be required to enter mandatory quarantining on arrival at their own expense.”

The cafe became a little quieter at this point, and you could tell people were taking more notice of this particular announcement, no doubt thinking “Victoria’s safe? Right, yeah, we’ve got no problems, surely?!” 

Fortunately, Victoria is currently open for business, or at least quarantine-free travel to New Zealand, so I’m sure none of them – or me going to Wellington – had anything to worry about.  It was no doubt a general announcement used in all Australian airports

In the end my call for “Wellington flight QF171 boarding at Gate 9A” was announced and I retraced my steps to the departure lounge.  It can’t have been more that 5 minutes later and a further announcement echoed out … “Would passenger Latimer, Robert Latimer, on QF171 to Wellington, make your way to Departure Gate 9A, your plane is ready for departure”

Cool.  Nothing like the personal touch!!??  … I thought as I rounded the last corner … “Is that you?” a nice Qantas lady inquired as I sprung into view.  “Yep, that’s me” I replied

“There’s not many onboard, so it boarded pretty quickly … just go down the escalator and show your passport and boarding pass at the desk”

And she was right.  The plane was maybe 10% full … or if you’re the Qantas Finance Director, you might say 90% empty.

Once seated and airborne I started to feel rather sleepy for some reason and pretty soon we were touching down in Wellington; the airstrip that resembles an aircraft carrier deck in many ways with Cook Strait at one end and Evans Bay at the other.

NZ Customs and Immigration procedures were pretty simple and efficient – despite the current COVID restrictions – with my immediate task being to acquire a local SIM card and data “Plan” for my phone.  Something that would cover me for the next 3 months.  As it turned out, the Optus SIM card I got from the airport newsagent and book store didn’t work, despite the efforts of the helpful guy on duty. 

In the end I used the free airport WiFi to download the NZ COVID Tracing App and catch up on a few calls and messages, before catching a taxi to town – and Chaffers Marina.

Having landed at 2:00pm it was after 4:00pm by the time I made my way out to the end of D Row – the wind absolutely howling the whole way, with the threat of rain in the grey clouds.

So, here she lies – reunited once more.  Adam had certainly done a great job of securing the lines as Chimere bobbed and jerked to the movement of the waves and sudden gusts.  Yes, this is a marina, but it’s open to the bay, quite deep, and with a small breakwater, so there is definitely movement when the wind is up like this.

Once on board, the familiarity of the surroundings came rushing back.  The engine and generator started instantly, the batteries were fully charged, the fridge and freezer were humming in the background – everything was just as I’d left it.  Even the oil heater was clicking on and off from time to time, keeping the place toasty warm. 

“Shall I make a coffee and have a snack?” A snack on what?  I’d better go to the nearby New World supermarket first … maybe they also sell SIM cards and “Plans” … that I could understand.  Certainly, a tall order to be sure.

There were a few other souls living aboard their boats out here at the end of D Row and I paid them a polite “g’day” as I passed them on the walkway.  But first things first … I had to string the Aussie and Kiwi flags on the stern davits … just to show that someone was in residence. It was now nearly 5:00pm and off to the shops I walked, empty bags in hand and the evenings darkness fast descending

The supermarket visit turned out to be a success on several fronts.  First, there was food for tonight, breakfast and a few days to come, but mostly it was because I took the risk and bought a $2, 2-Degrees SIM Card – plus $55 worth of credit.  “Just bring it back to the counter here if you have any questions”, the friendly young woman said.  Little did she know!?

I tried to get it all working, I really did.  And I think I did a pretty good job … swapped over the SIM, clicked the welcoming text to download the credit I’d bought … but this was taking me to a new website … to buy credit.  But I’d already bought credit, $55 worth.

Back to the counter I went, as I opened with …   “I spoke with you earlier, I’ve just got a few questions about the SIM card?” … Maybe it was the sad look on my face, but in any case, she said, “I’ll get Chan, he’s good at this”

And that goes down as the understatement of the day, as Chan, of little more than 16 years, gently assumed control on my shiny new iPhone 12 Pro, tapping the keys with such dexterity – both thumps!! and with such speed … the device nestled in his palms, as he moved in and out of Apps, through the Settings, back to the front screen, then to the 2 Degrees website, texting commands and instructions which mostly returned green ticks and “Thank Yous” … and when they didn’t, he just glanced at the negative response, then dived into another App or to a different website.  “What you need is a Plan.  You can see here, they have a $19 a month, or the $30 a Month one.  I think that one would be good” he said. 

“How do I pay for that, do you need a credit card?”  I asked.  “Oh no” he said, almost in shock. “You only pay if you REALLY have to”

“So how do I pay the $30?” I meekly inquired again.   “I’ve taken it from the $55 you’ve already paid.  This way you have the $30 plan for the next month, with $25 in reserve and at the end of the month you can choose which Plan you want next … sweet as … that $55 credit you bought would have been used up in days”

It occurred to me that I was truly in the presence of “The Master”, observing his last action being to disconnect my device from the New World internal Wi-Fi, then turn my phone OFF, then ON again – I know how to do that last bit!

“Thank you sooo much!”, I said with all the appreciation I could muster.  “Yeah, they can be a bit tricky sometimes” he replied.  I think he was just trying to lessen the impact of my obvious incompetence in this area.

Back on the boat, the wind was still howling, and rocking things about and with dinner complete I started to feel a bit tired again.  Funny that?!

A proper check around the deck and across all systems on board will have to wait till tomorrow.  As for me, it’s time for bed – my ol’ Captains Cabin Bunk once more.

Smooth seas, fair breeze and reunited once more

Rob Latimer