Departure from Barrier

It's now looking very likely that we will leave early tomorrow as the forecast has at last shown a more friendly face. Still, the proof will be the conditions in the morning. It's still very windy right now at 1900! Although we've been fairly frustrated that we haven't been able to follow our original plans because of the weather, we are feeling sad to be at last leaving this intriguing place. Today we went ashore in Karaka Bay where there is a substantial residential establishment known as Orama. It is run by a Christian group in conjunction with the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre and is open to virtually anyone and groups of all sorts. They can accommodate well over 100 at a time. It's a very impressive place which has had a great deal of investment over the years. The huge commercial kitchen would do justice to a major hotel!! After talking to them for a while we walked up the hill following a recently built predator fence right to the top from where there is a wonderful view right to the mainland. The predator fence is a joint venture between Orama, DOC and other adjacent landowners and it encloses the entire peninsula between here and Port Fitzroy. We'd heard of predator fences but to see it in the flesh and the rugged country it traverses is very impressive. It is over 6 feet high and built with posts and closely spaced mesh to prevent any pests getting through. It has closely fitting gates which are really doors at intervals and along the entire top is a metal V shaped roof to prevent determined animals from getting over the top. On top of that is an electric wire which is an added barrier and which is powered by solar panels at intervals. The total length is 2 kilometres. It is sad that to preserve endangered species which in some cases have been all but wiped out by negligently introduced predators such as cats and mustelids it is necessary to go to such lengths but at the same time it is good that Government agencies and others are prepared to make the investment in our future. In the main from what we have seen, DOC is doing a great job and also in providing public access in the form of walking tracks. There is always criticism of some of their methods and now increasing concern with funding cuts along with reduced Govt. spending generally. However, in our opinion, while there are substantial inefficiencies with DOC which need to be addressed, funding to DOC should be increased as there are many other areas where funding should be cut or abolished altogether. Politicians' perks (rorts) would be one as would the continued appeasement of never ending Maori land claims. On this latter there should be a fiscal cap and an end brought to the Waitangi Treaty gravy train - not just for the direct recipients but also for all the other hangers on such as lawyers who have been and are continuing to extort fees in this most destructive and divisive national issue.
Speaking of walking, a general comment about walking on the Barrier would be that a good percentage is more vertical than horizontal but at least when one has conquered a particular objective such as the Kaiarara Kauri Driving Dam there is a substantial sense of achievement. Especially at our advanced age - but the crew wishes it to be known that she most vociferously wishes to be disassociated from that last observation!!!!!
Early to bed tonight as there is an early start in the morning. Everything is ready to go with the dinghy on board and sail covers off! More later.
Cheers again,
J & J(G)

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com