A morning to remember

Written by David Townsend

3, February 2008

Position 35°43’492S 174°19’638E

Moored at Whangarei Town Basin, New Zealand, South Pacific Ocean.

Hi dear friends, thank you for following my journey. Here is this week’s update.

I have to report it has been another week of socialising and well, to be honest just have a great time here in Whangarei

Life Onboard:

I have done little onboard other than update the web site, this may sound a little sad saying that however I need to do this now why I shore power and the internet.

All week we have had the odd waka ama (outrigger canoe) paddle up and down the river

A morning to remember;

What a morning, shortly after sunrise an 20 people paddling a in Aotearoa-waka (Aotearoa = Maori name for New Zealand and waka = canoes) came up the river passing me. This was followed by 8 people in a waka hourua (voyaging canoe).

The people in the Aotearoa-waka were all chanting as they paddle by escorting the waka hourua to the dock. A small ceremony followed.

Wow, what a way to start you day, goose bumps all over, tinkle down the spine. I Shall remember this morning for a long time.

Saturday night I went to friends birthday party, although it was a long hike, around 50 minutes it was a great night. A fellow skipper off Heretic did not feel like sleeping in his car so he had use of the spare cabin. Although we got back onboard early at around midnight we spent a few hours or so righting the world accompanied by the odd beer or two.

I have also been restocking on parts, i.e. alternator belt etc in readiness for me depart in a few months for Australia.

For the latest weather at my location checkout;

www.buoyweather.com

The Boat:

No work carried out this week as I rest my back in preparation to depart for Opua this week.

Fair winds, calm seas.

David.