Category Archives: Uncategorized

Chaffers Marina (Wellington, NZ) Thursday 23 April 2020 Was it really only yesterday that we sailed down the west coast, around the corner, and up into Wellington.  From what I could see of today’s weather – mostly from inside my warm and cozy saloon through the small coach-house windows – I think we picked theContinue reading “Getting to Know Wellington”

Chaffers Marina (in Wellington) Wednesday 22 April 2020 The sleep seemed so brief.  No sooner had I turned out the light, than the six o’clock alarm sounded.  But pretty soon I was working through the list of final tasks – breakfast being one of them It was around this time that the wind started pickingContinue reading “Welcome to Wellington”

Mana Marina (near Wellington) Tuesday 21 April 2020 In looking at the calendar, I see that John and I arrived here into Mana, direct from the West Coast town of Westport, on Friday 20th March … that was exactly one month ago yesterday.  Of course, we all know what’s happened over the past 30 daysContinue reading “Last Night at Mana”

Mana Marina (near Wellington) Monday 20 April 2020 After nearly four weeks of “lockdown” … the much anticipated COVID-19 announcement by the New Zealand Prime Minister occurred today.  And as reported earlier this evening … “Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the level 4 lockdown will continue for one more week with it coming toContinue reading “Green Light From The Authorities”

Mana Marina (near Wellington) Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 April 2020 Having put aside social-networking – in search of crew members – I suddenly have all this time on my hands!  Who would have thought spending time on Facebook could consume so much of the day …??!! It’s not that I was making many “Comments”,Continue reading “Countdown to Departure”

Mana Marina (near Wellington) Thursday 16 & Friday 17 April 2020 It was an early start, well, at least by recent – time-has-no-meaning-in-isolation – standards.  Having got down to the last slice of bread (okay, one slice and one crust) and the only thing left in the “fresh” category being half a dozen potatoes, IContinue reading “‘Twas An Early Start”

Mana Marina (near Wellington) Wednesday 15 April 2020 There are many life-lessons and everyday things that can be neatly described using a sailing idiom or metaphor.  We’ve all heard them, maybe used them … Battening down the hatches … Choc a block …  High and dry … Hold your course … Under way … I’llContinue reading “NZ2021 – Unfinished Business”

Mana Marina (near Wellington) Tuesday 14 April 2020 Five years ago, on 13 March 2015, Tropical Cyclone Pam wreaked havoc on Vanuatu.  The international aid- response was tremendous and it was a proud time, seeing firsthand the timely and substantial response, particularly of Australia and New Zealand. Of course, back then, there was no globalContinue reading “You Feel So Helpless”

Mana Marina (near Wellington) Sunday 12 April 2020 & Monday 13 April 2020 My work on the “Chimere Operations Manual” started early this morning, after a night that could best be described as wild and woolly, with the constant 30-40 knot north west wind and driving rain keeping up throughout the night. The strong windContinue reading “Shaking the Tree Harder”

Mana Marina (near Wellington) Good Friday 10 April 2020 & Saturday 11 April 2020 This would have to be the quietest Easter Week-End on record.  That’s my assessment, based on the lack of activity here and around the country at what would otherwise be a time of family fun and school holiday activity – theContinue reading “Easter at Mana”