Monday, 22 February 2016
Sunday, 21 February 2016
Further stylish adventures of the surprising Victor Vitus...
It was such a nice day that Victor Vitus longed to be out and about. Fortunately SkipperG agreed and without further ado, straight after a stirring pot of Ethiopian Blend stovetop, they set out to explore.
Along the rail trail they sped at a cracking pace, leaving several other morning cyclists in their wake and cracking on toward the rail bridge some 8 kms distant.
On through the low and slightly scary tunnel they hurtled (Victor was very brave and kept his eyes wide open nearly the whole way through!)
Oh no, thought Victor, as they approached the bridge. We've been stonkered! Some blokes have gone and built a fence with barbed wire and a locked gate, and a sign to boot that appeared to read "Bridge closed for construction"
Fortunately SkipperG was not so easily deterred, nor evidently were others before him as he spied an opening which had been made in the wire mesh. As quick as a wink Victor felt his front wheel come off and the next thing he knew they were though the fence and freewheeling at great speed across the old rail bridge... until they reached the other side and came up against an even more impressive fence and gate!
Victor felt himself being hoisted high into the air and being lowered down the other side. Soon after SkipperG appeared beside him with a grin on his face and they were off again.
Over the road and onto the track and still another sign warning off cyclists and walkers from going any further "Track incomplete - please use road"
This time Victor knew what was coming and sure enough another hoist over this gate and they were off again, spinning and crackling their way along the coarse gravel path... until the track suddenly stopped. Victor looked across the gully and could see where the track started again, but the bridge hadn't yet been built. Well, there was nothing for it but to jump yet another fence and clackety clack they rattled across the rail bridge - keeping a close watch for the train which was due to come through shortly!
On they sped across the valley until it looked like the track disappeared into a lake. Just this
week they reckoned that six inches (150mm) of rain had fallen in one night and the valley was still quite flooded. Across the lake Victor could see the track emerge from the other side and 'nekminute' he felt himself sloshing through the water with SkipperG peddling furiously to keep moving. Deeper and deeper into the water until SkipperG's feet were disappearing under the water every pedal stroke! Victor held his breath and concentrated on keeping his wheels going round and round until they were through and whizzing around the next bend. Five more times Victor and SkipperG braved the water and each time they managed to squeak through to firm ground again.
Soon they came to the each of Kawakawa town...
just as the train was leaving to head off down the track to Taumarere Station. Whew, thought Victor, that was close! I'm glad we're not still crossing that rail bridge!!
Just down the road Victor spied the sign saying Kawakawa Baptist Church and it looked like they had just finished the morning service. Well, thought Victor, we might still be in time for a cup of tea. SkipperG agreed and Victor had a little rest against the front of the building while SkipperG checked it out. Sure enough, there was Pastor Chris Bradley and the congregation having a good old chinwag over a cuppa. Victor could see that SkipperG was having a chat to a few of the folk so Victor had a little snooze and waited... and waited...
Soon SkipperG reappeared and they set off in search of some supplies - it was after all close to lunchtime by now. Victor was keen to go to the funky looking "Trainspotter Cafe" but it was closed. The world famous Hundertwasser toilets were right across the road and Victor had to stop to have a look... http://www.bay-of-islands-nz.com/hundertwasser.shtml
Fortunately the busy bakery over the road was open and SkipperG was able to get the essentials - Shepherds Pie, Cream Donut and L&P bottle. A veritable feast!
Much later together they wandered over to the train station and Victor wondered whether SkipperG was going to have the energy to pedal all the way back. He didn't think that they really wanted to wade through water and climb all those gates again and Victor was pleased to see SkipperG buying a tickets for them both on the train.
How exciting to ride back to Taumarere station on one of the first railroads ever built in NZ.
Even the station building in Kawakawa was pretty old...
Well, as it turned out, Victor and SkipperG were the only passengers but the train driver said that was okay and the Conductor clicked their ticket and off they flew with a toot or two right down the midddle of the main street and with a woosh and a roar they were clackety-clacking right alongside the 'nearly finished' and sometimes under water cycle trail.
Soon they were back at the Tamarere Station with the old Conducter unlocking the gates to the bridge. Woo-hoo thought Victor, that's one gate we won't have to climb over this time. But he could see that SkipperG was being told that "You can't go over the bridge, it's closed - we are just opening the gate to swap the engine onto the other end of the train"
Oops, though Victor, looks like we might have to take the road back to Opua this time, at least until we meet the rail trail again.
Off they sped again, up Lemon's hill until Victor could hear SkipperG's breathing get louder and louder, and Victor's wheels turned slower and slower. Soon SkipperG was wheeling Victor and walking alongside to keep him company. Thank goodness, thought Victor, another few metres of that and we might have had a busted foofoo valve (which everyone knows is a particularly bad valve to bust!)
Soon they were at the top and off they went, whirring down the other side at 50, then 60 then 65 kilometres and hour. Oh dear, thought Victor, glancing down at his front axle, I sure hope SkipperG remembered to tighten that quick release locking clamp properly...
No wurries, said SkipperG as his legs spun in synchronous symphony along the twisting turns beside the mangrove mud flats amongst the bushy hills. Soon they were near home and PierE was a welcome sight to a slightly dusty Victor and a little weary SkipperG.
Along the rail trail they sped at a cracking pace, leaving several other morning cyclists in their wake and cracking on toward the rail bridge some 8 kms distant.
On through the low and slightly scary tunnel they hurtled (Victor was very brave and kept his eyes wide open nearly the whole way through!)
Oh no, thought Victor, as they approached the bridge. We've been stonkered! Some blokes have gone and built a fence with barbed wire and a locked gate, and a sign to boot that appeared to read "Bridge closed for construction"
Fortunately SkipperG was not so easily deterred, nor evidently were others before him as he spied an opening which had been made in the wire mesh. As quick as a wink Victor felt his front wheel come off and the next thing he knew they were though the fence and freewheeling at great speed across the old rail bridge... until they reached the other side and came up against an even more impressive fence and gate!
Victor felt himself being hoisted high into the air and being lowered down the other side. Soon after SkipperG appeared beside him with a grin on his face and they were off again.
Over the road and onto the track and still another sign warning off cyclists and walkers from going any further "Track incomplete - please use road"
This time Victor knew what was coming and sure enough another hoist over this gate and they were off again, spinning and crackling their way along the coarse gravel path... until the track suddenly stopped. Victor looked across the gully and could see where the track started again, but the bridge hadn't yet been built. Well, there was nothing for it but to jump yet another fence and clackety clack they rattled across the rail bridge - keeping a close watch for the train which was due to come through shortly!
On they sped across the valley until it looked like the track disappeared into a lake. Just this
Soon they came to the each of Kawakawa town... just as the train was leaving to head off down the track to Taumarere Station. Whew, thought Victor, that was close! I'm glad we're not still crossing that rail bridge!!
Just down the road Victor spied the sign saying Kawakawa Baptist Church and it looked like they had just finished the morning service. Well, thought Victor, we might still be in time for a cup of tea. SkipperG agreed and Victor had a little rest against the front of the building while SkipperG checked it out. Sure enough, there was Pastor Chris Bradley and the congregation having a good old chinwag over a cuppa. Victor could see that SkipperG was having a chat to a few of the folk so Victor had a little snooze and waited... and waited...
Soon SkipperG reappeared and they set off in search of some supplies - it was after all close to lunchtime by now. Victor was keen to go to the funky looking "Trainspotter Cafe" but it was closed. The world famous Hundertwasser toilets were right across the road and Victor had to stop to have a look... http://www.bay-of-islands-nz.com/hundertwasser.shtmlFortunately the busy bakery over the road was open and SkipperG was able to get the essentials - Shepherds Pie, Cream Donut and L&P bottle. A veritable feast!
Much later together they wandered over to the train station and Victor wondered whether SkipperG was going to have the energy to pedal all the way back. He didn't think that they really wanted to wade through water and climb all those gates again and Victor was pleased to see SkipperG buying a tickets for them both on the train.
Even the station building in Kawakawa was pretty old...
Well, as it turned out, Victor and SkipperG were the only passengers but the train driver said that was okay and the Conductor clicked their ticket and off they flew with a toot or two right down the midddle of the main street and with a woosh and a roar they were clackety-clacking right alongside the 'nearly finished' and sometimes under water cycle trail.
Soon they were back at the Tamarere Station with the old Conducter unlocking the gates to the bridge. Woo-hoo thought Victor, that's one gate we won't have to climb over this time. But he could see that SkipperG was being told that "You can't go over the bridge, it's closed - we are just opening the gate to swap the engine onto the other end of the train"
Oops, though Victor, looks like we might have to take the road back to Opua this time, at least until we meet the rail trail again.
Off they sped again, up Lemon's hill until Victor could hear SkipperG's breathing get louder and louder, and Victor's wheels turned slower and slower. Soon SkipperG was wheeling Victor and walking alongside to keep him company. Thank goodness, thought Victor, another few metres of that and we might have had a busted foofoo valve (which everyone knows is a particularly bad valve to bust!)
Soon they were at the top and off they went, whirring down the other side at 50, then 60 then 65 kilometres and hour. Oh dear, thought Victor, glancing down at his front axle, I sure hope SkipperG remembered to tighten that quick release locking clamp properly...
No wurries, said SkipperG as his legs spun in synchronous symphony along the twisting turns beside the mangrove mud flats amongst the bushy hills. Soon they were near home and PierE was a welcome sight to a slightly dusty Victor and a little weary SkipperG.
Saturday, 20 February 2016
Carpeted, Coloured Coordinated Completeness
I'm sitting here quietly on this gorgeous Sunday morning revelling in the colour coordinated haven contained herein, with the deep sea blue coloured carpet complemented by the subtle light grey walls...
If I may be forgiven for waxing lyrical after the long, hot and sweaty battle to cut and fit the 'blessed' carpet yesterday in 30+ deg temperatures (I saw 33.6 inside temp at one stage) as I watched the fleet depart for fishing and other idle pursuits throughout the day. I counted 15 empty berths in our pier - a record number of absentees.
Cyclone Winston has pounded Fiji overnight with expected wind gusts of 350kph bound to have done some damage. This past week we have copped just the tail end of the front as it headed back north - enough to record some high winds and near record rainfalls.
Beautiful day today and I'm contemplating a ride along the trail toward Kawakawa - might even catch the scenic railway if its running into Kawakawa itself... but first some finely brewed Ethiopian coffee...
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Whether the weather...
Just sitting waiting for the stew/curry/mix to finish cooking listening to yet another drum roll of rain persisting down... My mate Bill the Insurance man said that last night's rain was the heaviest he had ever experienced in Opua... hence the radar image at right around midnight. Around 40kt Northerlies added to the fun...At least the sound of the rain distracted my senses from the olfactory delights of Silicon Alkyd paint fumes... maybe the curry mix will do the trick tonight as I'm running out of non-painted places to sleep!
Still, am happy with the cool, crisp Matterhorn White - the dreaded yellow is fast disappearing.
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| Forward Berth sans add-ons and squabs |
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| Work-area |
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| A cheerful muddle! |
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| A grey interior and exterior ... |
Still, Sister Catherine will be pleased to know I have ordered a change for the better in the sun-soaking type weather for her arrival into Godzone!
Monday, 15 February 2016
Cleared for Cavallis
Thursday February 11th - Sat Feb 13th 2016
Up early for the obligatory swim (or three!) we waited for the promised easterly to kick in before weighing anchor and heading NNW out of the channel and reaching toward Cape Wikiwiki.
A messy sea-state with NE swell and ESE breeze meant a bit of rock and roll as we cleared the cape and set the Gennaker for the run through to the Cavalli islands. Two yea
rs ago we had threaded our way through these islands while returning from Whangaroa and promised ourselves we would come back to explore further.
rs ago we had threaded our way through these islands while returning from Whangaroa and promised ourselves we would come back to explore further.
A leasurely afternoon with less than 10 kts meant a slower trip in a lumpy sea. Eventually we doused the headsail and motored the last couple of miles through a narrow gap with reefs just a few hundred metres apart - not a shoreline to treat lightly!
Anchored in the lee of the largest of the islands with a curving and steep pebbly beach stretching for more than half a mile. Several other craft joined us through the rest of the evening as we swam and took our ease!
I was reminded of Shelley's "Hymn to Beauty" when he wrote...
Like aught that for its grace may be
Desperation for "Griffins Gingernuts" (an essential accompaniment for cuppa's)meant we up-anchored the next day and motor-sailed across toward the mainland where we knew a small camp-store resided... but alas a lee shore with a strong easterly negated any chance of a safe anchorage and so we kept going around the next point to discover a delightful cove, Opounui Bay which seemed to invite us to linger. The obligatory swim (sans costumes as per normal in these quieter bays) was followed by an explore in the 'little boat' several kms around the interesting coastline. Some lovely spots with baches tucked away on hills and shore.
Late afternoon we joined the procession of homeward bound vessels as we ran toward Tapeka point in a light NE breeze, hardening up and surfing up the estuary ahead of a squall-induced freshening easterly making 6.5-7 kts on flat seas, docking safely around 1900 hrs on a low slack tide
The awful shadow of some unseen Power
Floats though unseen among us; visiting
This various world with as inconstant wing
As summer winds that creep from flower to flower;
Like moonbeams that behind some piny mountain shower,
It visits with inconstant glance
Each human heart and countenance;
Like hues and harmonies of evening,
Like clouds in starlight widely spread,
Like memory of music fled,
Like aught that for its grace may be
Dear, and yet dearer for its mystery...
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| Canny looking north from ancient Pa site on Motukawanui Is |
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| Shipwreck cove? |
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| South toward BoI |
I've been reading John O'Donohue's "Divine Beauty" this week and I resonate with these words he writes:
We lie between the act of awakening and the act of surrender. Each morning we awaken to the light and the invitation to a new day in the world f time... Awakening and surrender: they frame each day and each life; between them the journey where anything can happen, the beauty and the frailty... (the ancients saw) all the frailty and uncertainty to be ultimately sheltered by the eternal beauty which presides over all the journeys between awakening and surrender, the visible and the invisible, the light and the darkness...
When we experience the Beautiful, there is a sense of homecoming. Some of our most wonderful memories are of beautiful places where we feel immediately at home. We feel most alive in the presence of the Beautiful for it meets the needs of our soul.
In the experience of beauty we awaken and surrender in the same act...we slip into the Beautiful with the same ease as we slip into the seamless embrace of water; something ancient within us already trusts that this embrace will hold us.
These sailing expeditions and explorations are a vibrant reminder of the frailty of my existence and of the grace experienced in the capacity to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of this creation. This becomes especially evident when I eventually arrive at the tops of small hills somewhat breathless and trying to remember when I used to run up the hills with much less effort than it now takes to walk! Nearly half a lifetime ago Brian and I used to sail with Bru (my Dad) and loved nothing more than to head off exploring, often running most of the way for several hours... ahh the memories!
Friday, Feb 12th
Desperation for "Griffins Gingernuts" (an essential accompaniment for cuppa's)meant we up-anchored the next day and motor-sailed across toward the mainland where we knew a small camp-store resided... but alas a lee shore with a strong easterly negated any chance of a safe anchorage and so we kept going around the next point to discover a delightful cove, Opounui Bay which seemed to invite us to linger. The obligatory swim (sans costumes as per normal in these quieter bays) was followed by an explore in the 'little boat' several kms around the interesting coastline. Some lovely spots with baches tucked away on hills and shore.
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| Looks like some interesting weather up north heading our way... |
A somewhat restless night with a persistent swell bending around the point and an easterly that wouldn't quit...
Maybe it was the spirit of Bru reminding us that it's his birthday next week!
Sat Feb 13th
It seemed like either our 'start' battery or starter motor was starting to die as we struggled to crank the engine the next morning. We removed the starter motor and cleaned the brushes, but still the problem persisted and we were forced to decompress the cylinders one by one until we eventually fired up the 'Barrington' which then seemed to run fine...
Motored back out through the narrow passage keeping Tarawera Is to starboard and Motukawanui island's rocks close to port and had a marvelous sail beating and tacking at 5.5-6.5 kts in 12-15 kts all the way back to Waiti Bay where our old friend Sam the Stingray greeted us as we lunched and swam our way through the afternoon.
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| 300 foot of luxury... Equanimity |
Late afternoon we joined the procession of homeward bound vessels as we ran toward Tapeka point in a light NE breeze, hardening up and surfing up the estuary ahead of a squall-induced freshening easterly making 6.5-7 kts on flat seas, docking safely around 1900 hrs on a low slack tide
Fush and Chups at the Club watching the sun set topped off a great day...
Cavalli Cruising with Canny...
Tuesday Feb 9th - Wednesday Feb 10th
Ahh, the familiar bleary-eyed early morning arrival into Auckland Airport...Not much sleep this trip as I swear those airline seats are getting harder and smaller. Right on time at 0515 we touched down to a grey Antipodean dawn.
A brief encounter at Customs: "Nothing to declare, sir!" and on to the 0615 shuttle to the City. Unfortunately little brother had forgotten our agreed breakfast rendezvous and was out on a morning ride. Fortunately Ryoko graciously let me in and we had a nice catch up over a cup of tea before Roger arrived back.
On to the Naked Bus (aka the big red double decker Mana Bus) at 0800 and off we went.
A brief stop in Whaaaangarei enabled the acquisition of the very fine Smoked Hapuka crusty pie from the Hub Eatery. A worthwhile pause indeed!
Young Canny Caston dutifully was waiting atop the Opua Hill and we loaded bags, nicked off to Paihia for a few more supplies and within an hour or so were poking our noses down the estuary on a beautiful afternoon...
A brisk easterly was predicted to remain constant for the next few days so we tucked in to the south side of Moturua island (Waipao Bay). A delightful spot.
Such was the serenity and the vibe that we elected to stay he next day - we had no set schedule!
A little walk over the hill the next morning turned into a circuit of the island over several hours - equipped as we were with the ubiquitous 'tramping' footwear, aka Jandals! Naturally we had to swim (contour) each bay visited, until arriving at Army Bay on the NE side where I spied another Davidson 31 that I thought was the same one I'd seen over at Waitangi previously. So, naturally, we swum out to say hello and were welcomed on-board by the charmingly loquacious Rozanne Barton and her more taciturn husband Peter, out cruising with their friend (Lisa?) for the day. Immigrants from England and previously peripatetic round the world cruisers, they told us how they had sold up in their early fifties and bought a 35' yacht in which they spent the next number of years idling on the oceans. Now retired to Haruru Falls here in the north they'd recently bought the boat having previously raced a half-tonner in the UK. An hour or so later we managed to get away by agreeing to sign their visitors book(!) and swam ashore to continue our circuit. Several gut-busting climbs later and we descended back into 'our' bay and settled down for another night in paradise...
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
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