A different view - 26/11/09

A break was taken from the strenuous school work, on offer of the chance to help crew a 36' ketch yacht from Tauranga to Napier. After making it to Tauranga, equipping, tidying and readying the vessel, the compasses (well GPS) were out and a course set for Motiti Island, White Island, Hicks Bay, Tolega Bay, the Mahia Peninsula and finally Napier. High jinks with the Coats family.

The actively volcanic White Island appeared under close scrutiny from CCTV, more likely for geothermal activity than reckless travellers traipsing around without hard hats on. To clear the sulphur from the lungs a spot of fishing resulted in catching the propellor twice, and an icy cold dip for Dooner to recover a fishing line from the rudder. Perfect preparation for helming into the night (in thermals), with some fairly exciting swells and winds (for a while there), on to Hicks Bay. Kind donation of crayfish from a local (fishing boat 'Heather') settled the sea stomachs, along with a few beers and the Paihia Bombs.

The final crossing of Hawkes Bay into Napier was rowdy 10hours, with SW swells providing the incentive to don safety lines and get salt-water-soaked for jobs out on deck. No safety lines for being back on dry land, despite the continued swaying after almost a week on the waves, particularly noticeable in a shower cubicle.

Master James macerated and slept between helming duty, Galley Goddess Emma served up swell defying gastronomy at (almost) every meal, and Skipper Ted kept the whole mission together with knot lessons, learning and laughs.