Posts
The 2 intrepid mariners in New Caledonia after having been picked up by the police!!
Monday, 18 February 2013
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Wild weather
We've been hearing with disbelief the non-stop accounts of the damage that has been caused all down the eastern Queensland seaboard by ex tropical cyclone Oswald.
It originally formed over the Gulf of Carpentaria and then headed towards Cairns. However, by the time it passed here about 30 miles inland it was very mild and had been downgraded to storm status. We only had maximum wind gusts of 35 knots and not much rain. We were very lucky. As it has progressed south it has gained strength and just north of Brisbane there have been reported wind gusts up to 70 knots. But, worse than that has been the rainfall. The Queensland Premier has said that the whole of the east coast of Queensland is in fact a flood plain, and how correct that is. The catchments are huge and therefore the rivers that drain those catchments are very subject to prolonged flooding. Often the flood peaks don't occur until the rain has passed and several days can go past before the flood peaks hit the coastal urban areas and settlements with devastating results.
Rockhampton, Gladstone, McKay, Bundaberg and Maryborough and many other centers have all been badly affected. We particularly indentify with Bundaberg which is on the Burnett River as we spent many happy months there from Nov. 2011 to April 2012. We were aware of course of the 2010 flood and well recall going into a health store in the city and asking how high that flood came to. They showed us a mark on the wall only a few inches below the ceiling and it seemed absolutely incredible to us that any flood could get that high. Now they are facing a flood likely to peak tomorrow (Tuesday) some 1.5 metres higher than that. We recall our 2 km. walks to Burnett Heads and the Lighthouse Tavern for very welcome refreshment and wonder how they have fared with the tornados that ripped through there yesterday. We have also heard that the marina where the Tiare was moored has been badly damaged with some piers completely broken up. That marina (the Bundaberg Port Marina) survived the 2010 flood unscathed. We reflected on the fact that this time last year Tiare was in that marina and we left her there for 3 weeks while we were in NZ. It is absolutely ironic that we have been concerned with the possibility of cyclones in the tropical far north and so far we are more or less unaffected whereas the area to the south that was considered safe has suffered to such an extent. Still, we shouldn't be complacent because the cyclone season is far from over.
To say that we are unaffected isn't completely true. There is no mobile phone coverage for the entire west, north west and far north of the state because two Telstra fibre optic cables have been broken well south of here. This means that the emergency number 000 is inoperative so our only contact with the outside in the case of an emergency would be by radio and declaring a Mayday! In addition there is no internet for the same reason so not sure when this email will be sent. We can't send it through the Sailmail radio system either because we still haven't had this computer set up to interact with the HF radio. The other thing that's likely to affect us and everyone else in the far North is possible shortages of food. Supermarkets typically only carry 3-4 days of stock and all communications to the south of here are cut. The Bruce Highway is badly damaged in places and still completely inundated in others. There is no rail service anywhere. One 126 yr old bridge with heritage status has been moved sideways by a small amount with obvious effects to the rail line. This is just one of many examples of damage. We have heard that Cairns Airport is closed - possibly because of the loss of internet and communications.
Yesterday before we lost phone service we heard that an old friend of Jean's, Joy Agar had died very suddenly. This was quite a shock as she was around 6 years younger than us. Jean composed a brief obituary to be read at Joy's funeral but now we can't send it until comms are restored so it may be too late. Here's hoping.
Also yesterday on a lighter note it was Jim's birthday and we caught a bus to Trinity Beach and had another great lunch at our favourite restaurant. A lamb and feta dish for Jean and curried prawns for Jim all washed down with a Mornington Peninsula Pinot Gris.
We have been having quite a social time. Our friend Max invited us and 3 other old friends of his to dinner at his home on Saturday night. We were very kindly picked up from the marina by David and Marianna and we had a great time. As it was Jim's birthday the following day we took a Tiramisu cake and it had "66" sparklers on it. As if Jim needed reminding!! Then, because of alcohol consumption our lift wasn't available, so we had a 3 km. walk to Sheridan St (the main road north) where we eventually caught a bus home. We arrived around 2 in the morning!!! All in all a most enjoyable night with an unusual ending!
For now though we must just await the outcome of these terrible floods. Our hearts go out to the people of Bundaberg in particular and with the despair that comes with facing the same situation within 3 years. Apparently previously the worst flood occurred in 1942 and with this one the flood heights exceed both of those. North Bundaberg is particularly affected and there has been an order for compulsory evacuation. As all ground routes are submerged, the only way out is by air and there are numerous helicopters employed picking people off rooftops. Farms and orchards are also well inundated and they are saying that as the force of the water flow is up to 40 knots, in the worst affected areas houses and businesses could well be swept away completely.
We just feel very thankful that we are in Cairns, even with the cyclone threat.
With love and best wishes from us..........
Jim and Jean
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
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It originally formed over the Gulf of Carpentaria and then headed towards Cairns. However, by the time it passed here about 30 miles inland it was very mild and had been downgraded to storm status. We only had maximum wind gusts of 35 knots and not much rain. We were very lucky. As it has progressed south it has gained strength and just north of Brisbane there have been reported wind gusts up to 70 knots. But, worse than that has been the rainfall. The Queensland Premier has said that the whole of the east coast of Queensland is in fact a flood plain, and how correct that is. The catchments are huge and therefore the rivers that drain those catchments are very subject to prolonged flooding. Often the flood peaks don't occur until the rain has passed and several days can go past before the flood peaks hit the coastal urban areas and settlements with devastating results.
Rockhampton, Gladstone, McKay, Bundaberg and Maryborough and many other centers have all been badly affected. We particularly indentify with Bundaberg which is on the Burnett River as we spent many happy months there from Nov. 2011 to April 2012. We were aware of course of the 2010 flood and well recall going into a health store in the city and asking how high that flood came to. They showed us a mark on the wall only a few inches below the ceiling and it seemed absolutely incredible to us that any flood could get that high. Now they are facing a flood likely to peak tomorrow (Tuesday) some 1.5 metres higher than that. We recall our 2 km. walks to Burnett Heads and the Lighthouse Tavern for very welcome refreshment and wonder how they have fared with the tornados that ripped through there yesterday. We have also heard that the marina where the Tiare was moored has been badly damaged with some piers completely broken up. That marina (the Bundaberg Port Marina) survived the 2010 flood unscathed. We reflected on the fact that this time last year Tiare was in that marina and we left her there for 3 weeks while we were in NZ. It is absolutely ironic that we have been concerned with the possibility of cyclones in the tropical far north and so far we are more or less unaffected whereas the area to the south that was considered safe has suffered to such an extent. Still, we shouldn't be complacent because the cyclone season is far from over.
To say that we are unaffected isn't completely true. There is no mobile phone coverage for the entire west, north west and far north of the state because two Telstra fibre optic cables have been broken well south of here. This means that the emergency number 000 is inoperative so our only contact with the outside in the case of an emergency would be by radio and declaring a Mayday! In addition there is no internet for the same reason so not sure when this email will be sent. We can't send it through the Sailmail radio system either because we still haven't had this computer set up to interact with the HF radio. The other thing that's likely to affect us and everyone else in the far North is possible shortages of food. Supermarkets typically only carry 3-4 days of stock and all communications to the south of here are cut. The Bruce Highway is badly damaged in places and still completely inundated in others. There is no rail service anywhere. One 126 yr old bridge with heritage status has been moved sideways by a small amount with obvious effects to the rail line. This is just one of many examples of damage. We have heard that Cairns Airport is closed - possibly because of the loss of internet and communications.
Yesterday before we lost phone service we heard that an old friend of Jean's, Joy Agar had died very suddenly. This was quite a shock as she was around 6 years younger than us. Jean composed a brief obituary to be read at Joy's funeral but now we can't send it until comms are restored so it may be too late. Here's hoping.
Also yesterday on a lighter note it was Jim's birthday and we caught a bus to Trinity Beach and had another great lunch at our favourite restaurant. A lamb and feta dish for Jean and curried prawns for Jim all washed down with a Mornington Peninsula Pinot Gris.
We have been having quite a social time. Our friend Max invited us and 3 other old friends of his to dinner at his home on Saturday night. We were very kindly picked up from the marina by David and Marianna and we had a great time. As it was Jim's birthday the following day we took a Tiramisu cake and it had "66" sparklers on it. As if Jim needed reminding!! Then, because of alcohol consumption our lift wasn't available, so we had a 3 km. walk to Sheridan St (the main road north) where we eventually caught a bus home. We arrived around 2 in the morning!!! All in all a most enjoyable night with an unusual ending!
For now though we must just await the outcome of these terrible floods. Our hearts go out to the people of Bundaberg in particular and with the despair that comes with facing the same situation within 3 years. Apparently previously the worst flood occurred in 1942 and with this one the flood heights exceed both of those. North Bundaberg is particularly affected and there has been an order for compulsory evacuation. As all ground routes are submerged, the only way out is by air and there are numerous helicopters employed picking people off rooftops. Farms and orchards are also well inundated and they are saying that as the force of the water flow is up to 40 knots, in the worst affected areas houses and businesses could well be swept away completely.
We just feel very thankful that we are in Cairns, even with the cyclone threat.
With love and best wishes from us..........
Jim and Jean
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
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Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Tropical cyclone Oswald
Well, we have had our first encounter with an ex tropical cyclone. Oswald formed over the Gulf of Carpentaria a few days ago and then slowly tracked east over the Cape York Peninsula. It then turned south and more or less followed the coast while at the same time it was downgraded from a Category 1 cyclone to a severe tropical storm.
Last night it had turned inland by a small distance and at midnight was on the same latitude as Cairns but about 30 miles inland. We had torrential rain and wind gusts up to 35 knots (about 75 kms) so not so bad. In fact we have had worse in the Whangarei Marina! Had to go on deck in the early hours to remove the foredeck awning before it flogged itself to death.
This morning it's still overcast but no rain and the wind is negligible. Jean's been to the gym on her bike but Jim slept in and didn't go swimming after the night's excesses!
Let's hope that's as bad as it gets but got another 2 months at least to go yet. Watch this space.
Cheers and love from us............
Jim and Jean (Gina)
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Last night it had turned inland by a small distance and at midnight was on the same latitude as Cairns but about 30 miles inland. We had torrential rain and wind gusts up to 35 knots (about 75 kms) so not so bad. In fact we have had worse in the Whangarei Marina! Had to go on deck in the early hours to remove the foredeck awning before it flogged itself to death.
This morning it's still overcast but no rain and the wind is negligible. Jean's been to the gym on her bike but Jim slept in and didn't go swimming after the night's excesses!
Let's hope that's as bad as it gets but got another 2 months at least to go yet. Watch this space.
Cheers and love from us............
Jim and Jean (Gina)
----------
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Thursday, 10 January 2013
Cairns musings
We had been invited to Bernie's Jazz Bar in town for New Year's Eve and had been looking forward to it; however, about a day before Jim came down with a very bad cold with almost flu-like symptoms and so we had to regretfully bow out. New Year was therefore a very low key affair for us and we didn't even see the New Year in. Instead we retired to bed with (in Jim's case) a large scotch from a bottle of malt we brought back from NZ. It didn't have any effect on the symptoms but at least the patient had a dulled pain response!!
Happily the patient is now largely recovered and thankfully Jean didn't catch it. Surprising considering the close quarters on a 38' yacht.
Since then we've been making plans for our eventual departure from here which now is only 12 weeks away. Sounds a long time but it will loom up really quickly. We have been having discussions re hauling out with the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron (CCYS) who operate their own haulout facility and a commercial operation - Norship. The CCYS is friendly and a bit cheaper but we have some concerns re their professionalism and the fact that you have to arrange everything - even the hire of an access ladder - from outside sources. By contrast Norship has everything in the yard and the whole operation engenders much more confidence. And the CCYS is only just along the road so the odd visit to their restaurant shouldn't be too difficult! So we're hauling out on March 25th. and should be out on the hard for a maximum of a week. Hopefully only anode replacement and antifouling so there shouldn't be any delays. There wouldn't need to be either because hauling costs in Australia are far from cheap. The total operation will cost us a minimum of $A2,000 ($NZ2,500) - another reason we want to get to SE Asia with their much lower cost structures.
We're about to start on a programme of maintenance which we can do in the water including repainting some of the hull topsides. Should be fun balancing in the dinghy with a can of paint! We'll need to start early each morning because beyond about 9.30 the temperature precludes any strenuous activity.
We've also started on our get fit campaign with cycling (in Jean's case) to the local gym at the Campus shopping centre. Only about 5 kms and Jim is cycling to the local pool where they have a 50 metre lap pool - so far he's doing 10 lengths at a time but hopes to increase that to 20 soon. Only been 3 times so far but it's amazing how quickly what had been a bit of a chore very quickly becomes easier with only a modicum of fitness. It's really all flat but on a bike you really notice even the slightest rise.
The wet season hasn't really started yet- just a few showers. Mostly the weather is beautiful and fine but hot!! The aircon on the boat is a godsend.
We are all well and living well. Cheap wine from Dan Murphys and heaps of great fruit and veges. The mangoes are cheap and delicious. We are able to use the marina courtesy car which means we will be really spoilt for when we are anywhere else!
Hope all is well with everyone and that everything is going your way.
With lots of love from us
Jim and Jean
s.v. Tiare Taporo III
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Happily the patient is now largely recovered and thankfully Jean didn't catch it. Surprising considering the close quarters on a 38' yacht.
Since then we've been making plans for our eventual departure from here which now is only 12 weeks away. Sounds a long time but it will loom up really quickly. We have been having discussions re hauling out with the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron (CCYS) who operate their own haulout facility and a commercial operation - Norship. The CCYS is friendly and a bit cheaper but we have some concerns re their professionalism and the fact that you have to arrange everything - even the hire of an access ladder - from outside sources. By contrast Norship has everything in the yard and the whole operation engenders much more confidence. And the CCYS is only just along the road so the odd visit to their restaurant shouldn't be too difficult! So we're hauling out on March 25th. and should be out on the hard for a maximum of a week. Hopefully only anode replacement and antifouling so there shouldn't be any delays. There wouldn't need to be either because hauling costs in Australia are far from cheap. The total operation will cost us a minimum of $A2,000 ($NZ2,500) - another reason we want to get to SE Asia with their much lower cost structures.
We're about to start on a programme of maintenance which we can do in the water including repainting some of the hull topsides. Should be fun balancing in the dinghy with a can of paint! We'll need to start early each morning because beyond about 9.30 the temperature precludes any strenuous activity.
We've also started on our get fit campaign with cycling (in Jean's case) to the local gym at the Campus shopping centre. Only about 5 kms and Jim is cycling to the local pool where they have a 50 metre lap pool - so far he's doing 10 lengths at a time but hopes to increase that to 20 soon. Only been 3 times so far but it's amazing how quickly what had been a bit of a chore very quickly becomes easier with only a modicum of fitness. It's really all flat but on a bike you really notice even the slightest rise.
The wet season hasn't really started yet- just a few showers. Mostly the weather is beautiful and fine but hot!! The aircon on the boat is a godsend.
We are all well and living well. Cheap wine from Dan Murphys and heaps of great fruit and veges. The mangoes are cheap and delicious. We are able to use the marina courtesy car which means we will be really spoilt for when we are anywhere else!
Hope all is well with everyone and that everything is going your way.
With lots of love from us
Jim and Jean
s.v. Tiare Taporo III
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Sunday, 30 December 2012
NZ visit for crew of Tiare Taporo III
Hi,
We left Cairns on a direct flight for Auckland on Dec. 13th. Jim was entertained for the first part of the flight by recognising landmarks and anchorages that we had sailed past or anchored at on the passage north to Cairns. Otherwise an uneventful flight and we landed on schedule at 2025. Suddenly we had "lost" 3 hours! Tracie and Pritika very kindly met us and we gave a lift to the Shore to Tania who is also off a boat here in Bluewater and she and her boyfriend had given us a lift to Cairns Airport earlier.
Next morning Jim was picked up at 0550 (0250 to us!!) by a shuttle and it was only thanks to Tracie who woke us up just in time that he made it. 15 minutes from falling out of bed to sitting bleary eyed in the shuttle. 1000 arrival in Christchurch and met by Jon, Charlotte's husband. Charlotte was in Wellington on business so Jon dropped Jim off at home and went back to work. Jim was kept busy cleaning up the breakfast detritus in the kitchen and going to the supermarket for some essential provisions. Lucia and Elsie were dropped off at 4 from preschool and Chris, a lovely Scottish lady who lives down the road, was on hand for the children until Jon arrived home a short time later. Soon Charlotte was home too and it was a rare treat to be with them in their normal family environment. The sad thing was that Jean would have loved to have been there too but, because of our short overall time in NZ, she felt she needed to spend time with her sister, Heather and organising the next phases of her recovery.
Lucia will be 5 in March and Elsie has just turned 2 and they are delightful. Elsie doesn't like making a mess and on the rare occasions that she might spill a little food on the table she looks very gravely at it and then says "Uh Oh" and then says with great feeling, "Bugger"!!!! They are a source of constant amusement - except when Lucia won't go to bed and things can then get a little fraught.
Next day it was off to Playschool Christmas Party and there were carols and Santa and lots of lovely cherrios. We took Jim's Kranskys which he'd thought he'd have for breakfast so then had to buy some more. Santa offered Jim a job for next year and appeared very taken with his long grey hair and similarly coloured beard, but Jim was relieved to be able to gracefully decline as hopefully next Christmas we'll be in Malaysia! Most of the time was spent at home with Charlotte, Jon and the children - then Jon had to go to Auckland for a staff Christmas function. Jim took Lucia to Santa's Grotto and Lucia amused herself by going around the exhibits at twice the speed of poor old Poppa Jim. We also went to a farmer's market in the Riccarton Gardens where we bought some Christmas goodies and had a wonderful walk in what is one of the last remnants of Kahikatea Forest which once covered the Canterbury Plains. It was a block purchased and preserved by one of Christchurch's early settler families in the late 1800's and is a great asset for Christchurch. Jim kept looking at the many mature Kahikatea and thinking how good they'd be for boatbuilding!!
Then all too soon it was time to say goodbye for another year but there are lots of photos to treasure.
On the 17th., courtesy of Perry (Jean's son), we drove to Whangarei in his black 4WD. We had the usual very pleasant time staying with Hamish and Sara (who had been over here not long before) and met up with as many old friends as we could manage in the short time in between doctors appointments, blood tests, a mole biopsy for Jean and an examination of our storage unit which appears to be all OK. Andrew Miller, our doctor greeted us across the waiting room with something like "here are the ocean wanderers back again!" and we might have responded with something like "patients from hell!". Haven't had the results just yet but hopefully not anticipating any issues - Jim's blood pressure was good. Then lunch with Richard and Pauline and it was lovely to have a good discussion about global financial matters and enjoy their erudite company. We also managed to visit Robyn on "Special Edition" and Noel and Litara on "Sina" at the Town Basin. And Elizabeth Hansen, another of the Kaiwaka/Mangawhai cousins! All too short. Robyn had sailed earlier in the year from NZ to Cairns (before we arrived there) and then half way through Indonesia on another yacht before flying home. Once again after a very pleasant stay it was all too soon to say goodbye again and on the 20th. we returned to Auckland. Before leaving we paid another visit to Noel and Litara and the obligatory cheek was exchanged between the old sparring partners, Jean and Noel. Noel was particularly interested to see how far up Jean's legs the suntan extended and was suitably impressed! 'Nuff said on that subject! Noel had injured his foot a couple of days before and Jean offered to bring an axe! At least she didn't tell him to F....off again!
Then it was finally off to Auckland via Mangawhai to visit Jane (Jean's cousin) and her husband Roy Vaughn. Roy is an author and an ex merchant navy officer so there are always many interesting stories to hear.
Once more back in Auckland, but no relaxing. We visited Jim's other daughters, Rozanne and Amanda. Rozanne has a senior teaching administrative position at St. Cuthberts College and also has another delightful grandchild for Poppa Jim - this time a boy called Harry. Such a good no-nonsense name - we approve. Harry is 2 and is a most sociable and friendly and photogenic little chap. Rozanne is just finishing her thesis for her Master of Education (35,000 words) and has not only held down a demanding fulltime job but also has her son Harry to look after along with her partner Chris who also has a fulltime teaching job. So, busy busy busy and Rozanne described the year just passed as "hideously difficult". Amanda is loving her job as a registered midwife and is working all hours available. Even Christmas day - still, don't suppose babies are all that considerate when deciding when to arrive.
We feel so proud of all of them - and Perry and Tracie - for what they have achieved during their lives so far. We don't appear to be contributing much lately with all this swanning about the oceans but we have our own challenges to meet which can be mentally and physically demanding, to say the least. So, in our own way we are all confronting life head on. In our case though we have some time off from time to time when we get into a marina and lose our sealegs.
Jean meanwhile had caught up with Jenny Hastie (another cousin) in Waipu and it was great to see Debbie, Margaret, Kate, Roy and Jeff and families - and another old friend in Takapuna, Steve Collie of Atlas Concrete. We also caught up with Alec (Jim's brother) and Linda who has been very unwell with three operations in recent times. We wish that she can now make a lasting and speedy recovery. Another visit squeezed in was to John (Jim's antique dealer cousin) and his partner, Garry. Always great to see them and to catch up with family news. So, all told a most satisfactory visit, not to mention our two Christmas dinners. One on the 23rd. with Tracie's family at Pukekohe and then on Christmas Day at Perry and Tracie's. Perry had been given an electronic game where you stand in front of a flat screen TV and very realistically pretend to be playing table tennis, beach volleyball, etc. Lots of fun. Kagan (Jean's nephew) called in and it was a poignant visit for Jean given Kagan's precarious health. Pritika and Heather were there as well as Tracie's parents, Lorraine and her stepdad, Alan.
The only jarring note happened when we arrived at Auckland Airport for our return (via Brisbane) on the 27th. We had carefully packed various items we had purchased in 3 small cartons and were well under our overall weight limit. However, on arrival, we were told that we could only have 2 check-in items and any more would cost us at least $75 ea.!!
So, there we were on our hands and knees in the departure area taping 2 of the boxes together but then an officious Air NZ woman told us we couldn't get away with merely joining 2 together to defeat their financial rapaciousness. We stood our ground and the encounter was quite aggressive and if it hadn't been for a more friendly European check-in lady it might have ended in fisticuffs. We'd have to say that the (mainly) Polynesian staff were very unpleasant and all this coupled with the absolutely chaotic lack of queuing for checkout at these ridiculous kiosks made for a most unpleasant experience. We were on Virgin Australia tickets (codeshared with Air NZ) and when we again checked our baggage in at Brisbane for Cairns with Virgin the difference was as chalk and cheese. The Air NZ attitude was surly to say the least and we will never fly with them again. We are totally against the proposed state asset sales, but the exception is Air NZ and the sooner it goes the better - maybe the Chinese will run it with a modicum of service? And hopefully can the nonsensical black colour scheme. There's too much black in Godszone; the whole place looks like a funeral about to happen.
Well, on that cheery note we will love and leave you - not before time we hear you say!
We hope that 2013 will be all that you would wish for you and yours,
With lots of love
Jim and Jean xoxoxo
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We left Cairns on a direct flight for Auckland on Dec. 13th. Jim was entertained for the first part of the flight by recognising landmarks and anchorages that we had sailed past or anchored at on the passage north to Cairns. Otherwise an uneventful flight and we landed on schedule at 2025. Suddenly we had "lost" 3 hours! Tracie and Pritika very kindly met us and we gave a lift to the Shore to Tania who is also off a boat here in Bluewater and she and her boyfriend had given us a lift to Cairns Airport earlier.
Next morning Jim was picked up at 0550 (0250 to us!!) by a shuttle and it was only thanks to Tracie who woke us up just in time that he made it. 15 minutes from falling out of bed to sitting bleary eyed in the shuttle. 1000 arrival in Christchurch and met by Jon, Charlotte's husband. Charlotte was in Wellington on business so Jon dropped Jim off at home and went back to work. Jim was kept busy cleaning up the breakfast detritus in the kitchen and going to the supermarket for some essential provisions. Lucia and Elsie were dropped off at 4 from preschool and Chris, a lovely Scottish lady who lives down the road, was on hand for the children until Jon arrived home a short time later. Soon Charlotte was home too and it was a rare treat to be with them in their normal family environment. The sad thing was that Jean would have loved to have been there too but, because of our short overall time in NZ, she felt she needed to spend time with her sister, Heather and organising the next phases of her recovery.
Lucia will be 5 in March and Elsie has just turned 2 and they are delightful. Elsie doesn't like making a mess and on the rare occasions that she might spill a little food on the table she looks very gravely at it and then says "Uh Oh" and then says with great feeling, "Bugger"!!!! They are a source of constant amusement - except when Lucia won't go to bed and things can then get a little fraught.
Next day it was off to Playschool Christmas Party and there were carols and Santa and lots of lovely cherrios. We took Jim's Kranskys which he'd thought he'd have for breakfast so then had to buy some more. Santa offered Jim a job for next year and appeared very taken with his long grey hair and similarly coloured beard, but Jim was relieved to be able to gracefully decline as hopefully next Christmas we'll be in Malaysia! Most of the time was spent at home with Charlotte, Jon and the children - then Jon had to go to Auckland for a staff Christmas function. Jim took Lucia to Santa's Grotto and Lucia amused herself by going around the exhibits at twice the speed of poor old Poppa Jim. We also went to a farmer's market in the Riccarton Gardens where we bought some Christmas goodies and had a wonderful walk in what is one of the last remnants of Kahikatea Forest which once covered the Canterbury Plains. It was a block purchased and preserved by one of Christchurch's early settler families in the late 1800's and is a great asset for Christchurch. Jim kept looking at the many mature Kahikatea and thinking how good they'd be for boatbuilding!!
Then all too soon it was time to say goodbye for another year but there are lots of photos to treasure.
On the 17th., courtesy of Perry (Jean's son), we drove to Whangarei in his black 4WD. We had the usual very pleasant time staying with Hamish and Sara (who had been over here not long before) and met up with as many old friends as we could manage in the short time in between doctors appointments, blood tests, a mole biopsy for Jean and an examination of our storage unit which appears to be all OK. Andrew Miller, our doctor greeted us across the waiting room with something like "here are the ocean wanderers back again!" and we might have responded with something like "patients from hell!". Haven't had the results just yet but hopefully not anticipating any issues - Jim's blood pressure was good. Then lunch with Richard and Pauline and it was lovely to have a good discussion about global financial matters and enjoy their erudite company. We also managed to visit Robyn on "Special Edition" and Noel and Litara on "Sina" at the Town Basin. And Elizabeth Hansen, another of the Kaiwaka/Mangawhai cousins! All too short. Robyn had sailed earlier in the year from NZ to Cairns (before we arrived there) and then half way through Indonesia on another yacht before flying home. Once again after a very pleasant stay it was all too soon to say goodbye again and on the 20th. we returned to Auckland. Before leaving we paid another visit to Noel and Litara and the obligatory cheek was exchanged between the old sparring partners, Jean and Noel. Noel was particularly interested to see how far up Jean's legs the suntan extended and was suitably impressed! 'Nuff said on that subject! Noel had injured his foot a couple of days before and Jean offered to bring an axe! At least she didn't tell him to F....off again!
Then it was finally off to Auckland via Mangawhai to visit Jane (Jean's cousin) and her husband Roy Vaughn. Roy is an author and an ex merchant navy officer so there are always many interesting stories to hear.
Once more back in Auckland, but no relaxing. We visited Jim's other daughters, Rozanne and Amanda. Rozanne has a senior teaching administrative position at St. Cuthberts College and also has another delightful grandchild for Poppa Jim - this time a boy called Harry. Such a good no-nonsense name - we approve. Harry is 2 and is a most sociable and friendly and photogenic little chap. Rozanne is just finishing her thesis for her Master of Education (35,000 words) and has not only held down a demanding fulltime job but also has her son Harry to look after along with her partner Chris who also has a fulltime teaching job. So, busy busy busy and Rozanne described the year just passed as "hideously difficult". Amanda is loving her job as a registered midwife and is working all hours available. Even Christmas day - still, don't suppose babies are all that considerate when deciding when to arrive.
We feel so proud of all of them - and Perry and Tracie - for what they have achieved during their lives so far. We don't appear to be contributing much lately with all this swanning about the oceans but we have our own challenges to meet which can be mentally and physically demanding, to say the least. So, in our own way we are all confronting life head on. In our case though we have some time off from time to time when we get into a marina and lose our sealegs.
Jean meanwhile had caught up with Jenny Hastie (another cousin) in Waipu and it was great to see Debbie, Margaret, Kate, Roy and Jeff and families - and another old friend in Takapuna, Steve Collie of Atlas Concrete. We also caught up with Alec (Jim's brother) and Linda who has been very unwell with three operations in recent times. We wish that she can now make a lasting and speedy recovery. Another visit squeezed in was to John (Jim's antique dealer cousin) and his partner, Garry. Always great to see them and to catch up with family news. So, all told a most satisfactory visit, not to mention our two Christmas dinners. One on the 23rd. with Tracie's family at Pukekohe and then on Christmas Day at Perry and Tracie's. Perry had been given an electronic game where you stand in front of a flat screen TV and very realistically pretend to be playing table tennis, beach volleyball, etc. Lots of fun. Kagan (Jean's nephew) called in and it was a poignant visit for Jean given Kagan's precarious health. Pritika and Heather were there as well as Tracie's parents, Lorraine and her stepdad, Alan.
The only jarring note happened when we arrived at Auckland Airport for our return (via Brisbane) on the 27th. We had carefully packed various items we had purchased in 3 small cartons and were well under our overall weight limit. However, on arrival, we were told that we could only have 2 check-in items and any more would cost us at least $75 ea.!!
So, there we were on our hands and knees in the departure area taping 2 of the boxes together but then an officious Air NZ woman told us we couldn't get away with merely joining 2 together to defeat their financial rapaciousness. We stood our ground and the encounter was quite aggressive and if it hadn't been for a more friendly European check-in lady it might have ended in fisticuffs. We'd have to say that the (mainly) Polynesian staff were very unpleasant and all this coupled with the absolutely chaotic lack of queuing for checkout at these ridiculous kiosks made for a most unpleasant experience. We were on Virgin Australia tickets (codeshared with Air NZ) and when we again checked our baggage in at Brisbane for Cairns with Virgin the difference was as chalk and cheese. The Air NZ attitude was surly to say the least and we will never fly with them again. We are totally against the proposed state asset sales, but the exception is Air NZ and the sooner it goes the better - maybe the Chinese will run it with a modicum of service? And hopefully can the nonsensical black colour scheme. There's too much black in Godszone; the whole place looks like a funeral about to happen.
Well, on that cheery note we will love and leave you - not before time we hear you say!
We hope that 2013 will be all that you would wish for you and yours,
With lots of love
Jim and Jean xoxoxo
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Sunday, 9 December 2012
Seasons greetings from Tiare Taporo III
To all our family and friends (cruising and otherwise!!) - we wish you all the very best for a very happy Christmas and may the New Year bring you everything you would wish.
We'll be in New Zealand over the next 2 weeks and hopefully will see as many as possible during that time. Otherwise during our cruising travels over the next year we hope to renew acquaintance.
With very best wishes
Jim and Jean (Gina)
s.v. Tiare Taporo III
Bluewater Marina
Trinity Park
Cairns
Queensland
Australia
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
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We'll be in New Zealand over the next 2 weeks and hopefully will see as many as possible during that time. Otherwise during our cruising travels over the next year we hope to renew acquaintance.
With very best wishes
Jim and Jean (Gina)
s.v. Tiare Taporo III
Bluewater Marina
Trinity Park
Cairns
Queensland
Australia
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
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Sunday, 2 December 2012
Visits from afar
November has been a busy month. We had Sara and Hamish earlier in the month (see our earlier blog) and then Jean's son Perry and his girlfriend Tracie over the weekend of the 23rd. - 25th. It was great to see them. Tracie had flown in ahead of Perry so we met her in town for lunch and then had a swim in the Cairns municipal pool right on the waterfront. A very impressive development (Airlie Beach has a similar one too) and obviously very popular with locals. Sure beats swimming with the marine stingers and crocodiles!! Tracie was staying at her friend's place and had ridden her pushbike about 6 kms into town. Our method of transport was much more staid - Sunbus!!
That was all very good and then, after Perry had flown in from SE Asia (via Sydney!!), they came aboard on Thursday afternoon. High tide was at 1739 so the plan was to leave an hour before which we did. We negotiated the "great grey green greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever trees" and headed off for Fitzroy Island. We arrived after dark but no problem in finding a good anchorage and we settled down for a quiet night.
Next day we all went ashore where Perry and Tracie had booked a beachside cabin. They checked in and then Tracie's friend Jude arrived from Cairns on the ferry. They all stayed in the cabin which had 2 bedrooms and was quite luxurious and Perry and Jean cooked a BBQ meal on a nearby electric BBQ which we all enjoyed together with copious quantities of red wine back in the cabin. It was Perry's birthday in a week's time and we had brought a Tiramisu cake with us to mark the occasion. A spirited discussion about so-called indigenous people took place at one point (!) and then we took our leave and repaired to the boat for the night. Fortunately we'd remembered to leave the anchor light on so navigation was relatively easy!
The next morning we came ashore and had a very pleasant breakfast in the resort restaurant (courtesy of Perry) before finally all going back aboard for the passage back to Bluewater (Cairns). We needed to ensure that our arrival coincided with high tide (about 1800). We had decided to sail if conditions allowed and so very soon after raising the anchor we turned off the iron sail and abandoned ourselves to the elements. There was very little wind for a while and we were beginning to think that the iron sail might have to be resurrected when the wind slowly started to increase. We finished up having a spirited sail during which the skipper attended to navigation and tactics (very demanding!!) and Jean kept the "kids" supplied with snacks and drinks from the galley!
By great good fortune 6 - 7 hours later we managed to arrive off the leading beacons at Yorkeys Knob almost spot on as time went. Everyone thought it was the skipper's good management and skill (!) and who was he to disabuse them! We entered the Limpopo once more searching for the elusive crocodile but still have not managed to see him - or her. All very tired and a little sun burnt but very happy after a wonderful few days out on the boat. It was one of those times where everything went to plan absolutely flawlessly but in no small measure due to Jean's planning and execution in the food and accommodation departments.
After we had berthed Perry, Tracie and Jude left for Jude's place from where they were both flying out the next day - Perry to Melbourne and Tracie back to Auckland.
The biggest news since then is that we have acquired a portable air conditioner and the boat is now at a habitable temperature - about 25C. Outside these days it is commonly in the low 30's. We had our first major expedition on our bikes the other day - we rode over to Trinity Beach (about 6 kms.) and had breakfast on the beach. A lovely day and a beautiful beach - just such a shame that one cannot swim due to stingers and the possibility of crocodiles. One was seen off there just a few weeks ago. The only fly in the ointment was the seat on Jim's bike which is an instrument of torture!! We have since obtained another with more padding but haven't given it an extensive test yet.
We are looking forward to our visit to NZ coming up in 10 day's time. A brief itinerary: we arrive at 2025 on Dec. 12th. (staying with Perry and Tracie at Milford), then Jim flies to Christchurch to see Charlotte, Jon, Lucia and Elsie the next morning. He's back from Chch on the 16th. and then the next day we are both driving to Whangarei and staying with Sara and Hamish. Various things to do there including inspecting our storage unit and doctor appointments and then back to Auckland by the 21st. after visiting Roy and Jane at Mangawhai and Jean's brother Keith (and Eileen) where they are managing a large farm (ex Izard's) just south of Wellsford. Then some days in Auckland to catch up further with Jim's other 2 daughters (Amanda and Rozanne) and his grandson, Harry and brother Alec and his wife, Linda. Then sadly we depart for Cairns (via Brisbane) on the 27th. Hopefully after all this time in the tropics our blood won't be too thin and we can stand the cold.
Jean will be spending a fair bit of time with her sister, Heather.
Stay tuned to this website - www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
With lots of love from us,
Jean and Jim
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That was all very good and then, after Perry had flown in from SE Asia (via Sydney!!), they came aboard on Thursday afternoon. High tide was at 1739 so the plan was to leave an hour before which we did. We negotiated the "great grey green greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever trees" and headed off for Fitzroy Island. We arrived after dark but no problem in finding a good anchorage and we settled down for a quiet night.
Next day we all went ashore where Perry and Tracie had booked a beachside cabin. They checked in and then Tracie's friend Jude arrived from Cairns on the ferry. They all stayed in the cabin which had 2 bedrooms and was quite luxurious and Perry and Jean cooked a BBQ meal on a nearby electric BBQ which we all enjoyed together with copious quantities of red wine back in the cabin. It was Perry's birthday in a week's time and we had brought a Tiramisu cake with us to mark the occasion. A spirited discussion about so-called indigenous people took place at one point (!) and then we took our leave and repaired to the boat for the night. Fortunately we'd remembered to leave the anchor light on so navigation was relatively easy!
The next morning we came ashore and had a very pleasant breakfast in the resort restaurant (courtesy of Perry) before finally all going back aboard for the passage back to Bluewater (Cairns). We needed to ensure that our arrival coincided with high tide (about 1800). We had decided to sail if conditions allowed and so very soon after raising the anchor we turned off the iron sail and abandoned ourselves to the elements. There was very little wind for a while and we were beginning to think that the iron sail might have to be resurrected when the wind slowly started to increase. We finished up having a spirited sail during which the skipper attended to navigation and tactics (very demanding!!) and Jean kept the "kids" supplied with snacks and drinks from the galley!
By great good fortune 6 - 7 hours later we managed to arrive off the leading beacons at Yorkeys Knob almost spot on as time went. Everyone thought it was the skipper's good management and skill (!) and who was he to disabuse them! We entered the Limpopo once more searching for the elusive crocodile but still have not managed to see him - or her. All very tired and a little sun burnt but very happy after a wonderful few days out on the boat. It was one of those times where everything went to plan absolutely flawlessly but in no small measure due to Jean's planning and execution in the food and accommodation departments.
After we had berthed Perry, Tracie and Jude left for Jude's place from where they were both flying out the next day - Perry to Melbourne and Tracie back to Auckland.
The biggest news since then is that we have acquired a portable air conditioner and the boat is now at a habitable temperature - about 25C. Outside these days it is commonly in the low 30's. We had our first major expedition on our bikes the other day - we rode over to Trinity Beach (about 6 kms.) and had breakfast on the beach. A lovely day and a beautiful beach - just such a shame that one cannot swim due to stingers and the possibility of crocodiles. One was seen off there just a few weeks ago. The only fly in the ointment was the seat on Jim's bike which is an instrument of torture!! We have since obtained another with more padding but haven't given it an extensive test yet.
We are looking forward to our visit to NZ coming up in 10 day's time. A brief itinerary: we arrive at 2025 on Dec. 12th. (staying with Perry and Tracie at Milford), then Jim flies to Christchurch to see Charlotte, Jon, Lucia and Elsie the next morning. He's back from Chch on the 16th. and then the next day we are both driving to Whangarei and staying with Sara and Hamish. Various things to do there including inspecting our storage unit and doctor appointments and then back to Auckland by the 21st. after visiting Roy and Jane at Mangawhai and Jean's brother Keith (and Eileen) where they are managing a large farm (ex Izard's) just south of Wellsford. Then some days in Auckland to catch up further with Jim's other 2 daughters (Amanda and Rozanne) and his grandson, Harry and brother Alec and his wife, Linda. Then sadly we depart for Cairns (via Brisbane) on the 27th. Hopefully after all this time in the tropics our blood won't be too thin and we can stand the cold.
Jean will be spending a fair bit of time with her sister, Heather.
Stay tuned to this website - www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
With lots of love from us,
Jean and Jim
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