Heritage Sailing Race

We have jointed the Devonport Sailing club and were offered the chance to sail with a member John Duder. Little did we know that he sails a beautiful heritage cutter Spray, built in 1936 and the race was for other classic boats.

Shona felt she had stepped straight into one of the lovely sepia calendars from Cowes! (you know the ones with the beautiful 'J' class yachts)

Anyway we joined John and his 10 year old grandson Kauwai for a lovely days sailing on Spray. The races were handicapped and 2 sections. Here are the other boats during the 2 races - all are built in NZ and many are pre 1900 built of beautiful Kauri wood.

 Famous Harbour Bridge (not so famous bottom!)

 There were 3 'A' Class boats sailing A2, A6 and A7!

 John and Kauwai

 This is Spirit of Waitangi - she had 3 foresails up at one point!

 Rounding the mark

 216 was the other Cutter of about our size but she was much lighter - John said he usually comes last (as Spray is very heavy!) but it makes everyone feel good about the race!

 The Chelsea Sugar works is behind A2 here

 Auckland skyline as we sailed

 Pure brass winches - but hard work - so Malcolm said!

Superb day.

A privilege to be out with such an amazing group of yachts.

First camping trip of the year -North Coromandal

The plan was to sail on Candidas again with Barry on the Legends race again from Tauranga to Gt Mercury Island - but forecast bad weather, rain and worst of all predicted winds from the north (on nose so a hard beat up in the rain!) meant the skipper called it off, so we packed up the tent and went camping instead!

We were sorry on to have the sail but Barry was right as we had heavy rain and strong winds and tides on the Friday and Saturday. We also had to contend with typical bank holiday traffic leaving Auckland!

We stayed in a really quirky lovely backpackers in Coromandal town called the Lion's Den - a must for anyone visiting - there is an outdoor shower (see the stars whilst having a lovely hot shower) amidst the scented lemon blossom and wisteria walkway. We also had a superb breakfast in Umu our favourite restaurant there - where we had amazing smoked mussels and awesome pizzas with Rhian and Callum last year.

 

We decided to do the walk from one side of the top of the peninsula to the other as there is no road that links both sides at the top. We arrived in the lowering clouds and spits of rain. Malcolm said ' we will only go for a short walk......, it will be fine'........ 2 hours later I have only been wetter when I skied with the kids the first time at Tongoriro. We were so wet the water was coming out of our rain filled boots rather than going in!

I can say though that Tilly hats are great in both rain and shine - Thanks Mum!

We camped back in Jacksons Bay and luckily the rain paused a wee bit whilst we got the tent up and had tea. Next morning it was dry and we sat recovering from a night in which I thought the high spring tide and waves were going to come right into the tent!

 

A bit shell shocked!!

 Trying to dry our sopping wet walking gear on the sign post!

Looking back to the bay

Sunday and Monday were lovely and we and the tent dried out! We went to the other side of the tip of the peninsula to Stoney Bay and walked the other half of the walk along the Coromandel Coastal Walkway we did in the rain - what a difference a day makes!

 

Lovely lunch of crusty rolls, black olives and Puhoi cheese made all runny in the warmth - yum
Then back to a lovely campsite again right next to the sea!

 A happy Malcolm - reading the weekly Telegraph with a sea-cooled beer after a lovely walk!

View from the tent in the morning!

On Monday we went to a quirky pottery/narrow gauge railway place - the line took potter Barry Bricknell 30 years to complete by hand and is now run by enthusiasts. The ride takes an hour to the 'Eyefull' Tower and back!

Then back to Coromandel town for a lunch of smoked mussels on the beach before heading home (for a good nights sleep!!)

Shona goes WOW

WOW is a typically quirky kiwi festival called the World Of Wearable art - an amazing spectacle and show of whacky talent from around the world where models wear anything that can be called 'art', eg a sports car, a hill with sheep on it, a vase of flowers, a ships funnel etc etc!. These are some pictures of the ones in previous shows - we weren't allowed to take photos in the event. It wasn't just a catwalk of the spectacular wearable art, it was a complete spectacle with a Cirque de Soliel type stage show including an exploding volcano with lava flowing down it, a blues band and dance macabre, superb Maori dancing, trapeze artists appearing from the roof etc etc and lots of fun and mime shows. One of the best things I've seen ever!

I had a fabulous weekend down in Wellington where the show is held with our lovely friend Janet, who booked the whole thing. During our packed weekend in Wellington (so packed we didn't have time to eat on Saturday evening!!) we saw amazing things including the superb Gallipoli exhibition at Te Papa the national museum. The models were 2 + 1/2 times life size and were stunning and shocking - I had to sit down and be quiet for a while after seeing it. The models were made by Weta Workshop (which did all the models, weapons, sets etc for the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings/Avatar etc)

We also went round the Weta Workshops on a tour and met some of the people who made the Gallipoli models. Such amazing talent in this country.

 

 You can imagine the impact of these completely lifelike models at 2 1/2 times life size. - shocking.

 These LOR figures are at Wellington Airport.

We had a fantastic weekend, and laughed such a lot.

As it was arranged before we knew we were moving  we flew from Tauranga, which gave me the chance to see quite a few of my friends down there. I loved going back to the Hot Pools and my favourite coffee shop - Pronto. So lovely to stay with Mary and see the girls from the book club and visit my old mates in the Op shops!

 

It also allowed me to sadly say goodbye to my friend Sally at her funeral - a very lovely lady who was so very kind and welcoming to me when I first arrived.