Greeted for the final time by the morning sunrise over the hills of Oke Bay the ships occupants braved their morning swim and went amongst their duties. With today being the final full day on board, the trainees were last night given the opportunity to plan out the days activities. With a clear split between the keen hunter-gatherers and the more laid-back trail-goers they managed to find a pleasant middle-ground that satisfied all. Their newly-gained knowledge of tides and weather patterns aided them in providing the days curriculum. With the charts and markers in their hands the saloon was turned into a makeshift command centre/navigation station as they plotted and debated courses, destinations and activities. In the end they produced a solid programme and sitting here at the end of a long, awesome day (and week at that), it seems that they too are happy with their results.
After a breakfast of porridge and a three-way toast-eating competition our sea-tested youth were put to the ropes immediately. Azalea, Quinn, Batman (Bradley) and TK were hustled up the rigging to unfurl our topsil’s. After battling personal phobia, the rocking of the ship and the combination of verticality and close-quarters, our four new rope-monkey’s made their way deckwards with toothy grins and in one particular case, a cozy little smug was worn for some time after. Sweating and tailing, tacking and wearing the trainees sailed us over their charted course with an almost crew-like proficiency. Some even fancy themselves to be future crew, but only time and hard work will sing that shanty.
With the wind in her sails and a certain bravado in her sailors, Tucker glided softly into Paradise Bay. Arriving ashore safe and dry we began our trek to Urupukapuka Bay. Marching on through the mud and the ti-tree, the trainees hiked, ran, laughed and even managed to sneak a jelly snake or two from the provisions pack. Emerging from the seemingly transient shade of the ti-tree into the gleaming sunshine of the summit of the hill that segregates Urupukapuka Bay from Otehi Bay, I saw the wistful glaze of pre-emptive reminiscence coat many an eye that gazed over the bays and islands of the Bay of Islands.
Making our way downhill the trainees were set loose upon Urupukapuka Bay. Milan made no haste in spotting and recovering a tennis ball from the heights of a shoreside tree whilst the ships camera was kidnapped and bombed with photos possibly meant for the portfolios of the aspiring models on board. Sandcastles and makeshift touch fields sprung up and sea-softened glass and sheep droppings were often found underfoot. As touch turned to rugby and the grassy field was exchanged for sand the tide rose higher and the clouds turned a shade of grey. A short sunshower saw our youth scurrying for cover in a flash before laughing at their over-reaction thirty seconds later. As the sunshower subsided but the grey clouds drew closer we were taken back on board for lunch by the Captain in the ever-trusty tender.
After a beautiful lunch of fish and chips served up by Rob and caught by our trainees the evening before, the sails went up and the sailors sailed on. Anchoring just off Motukauri Island, Rob and his ever-keen hunter-gatherers dissapeared around the point for a dive whilst the others remained for a swim, sunbathe and even a short snooze on the bowsprit. Returning just before a fresh bout of rain with nothing but photos and smiles on their faces, the hunter-gatherers were brought below decks to help prepare the nights dinner. After a thunderous game of ‘Pukana’ the table, saloon and cabins were made spotless as a sumptuous roast dinner was brought to the table. Faces lit up and silence ensued as the mountainous roast slowly, but surely got smaller and smaller in size. The silence was not held long as laughter, conversation and sail memories were struck up as well as personal jokes, friendly jibes and good times that all helped shape the vibe of tonight and the week gone past. Sadly, our journey together will not last as tonight is our last as a group. Tomorrow we look forward to seeing our sponsors from Far North Holdings aboard for a trip around the Bay before we return to re-unite our youth with their families, friends and ever-precious FaceBook.
We look forward to seeing you all at Opua tomorrow afternoon, hopefully you all recognize your young’uns! It’s impossible for us to be everywhere at once, so I’m sure they can help to fill in the missing parts of our voyage blog, as well as give you their own personal account of the trip.
Until tomorrow!
Crew of the good ship R. Tucker Thompson.
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Thank you to the crew of R TUCKER THOMPSON. No doubt our young ones will remember this trip for many moons to come. AGAIN ;Thank you all .Regards Ed and Elizabeth (Bett) Waipouri
And a big thanks to Far North Holdings, without which neither the crew nor the taitamariki would be having such fun!!
Time sure waits for nobody. The week has gone by in a flash and become m e m o r i e s and just another chapter in one’s life.
I know you’ve all enjoyed the exoerience. Unless you join the Navy or become fishermen, you’ll probably never ever spend a whole week l i v i n g on the water again. Cheers all of you and see you tomorrow at Opua. Uncle Bill
Awesome! Sounds like y’all have had ana absolute blast this week!
Make sure if you guys are on Facebook – to join our sail trainee group “Tucker Trainees” – would be great to see trainees joining up!
Love the blogs, and you guys have been busy too by the sounds of it – wicked!
xx
Ash.
Way to go Quinn, you did it, and I wonder if that ‘cozy little smug’ belonged to you
He mihi mahana kia koutou. Thank you the Captain & Crew of the R.Tucker, and Far North Holdings for the opportunity to experience and the care, fun and education provided to my Pana. He is a fortunate fella and am sure he will fill our ears with tall sails (tales) for weeks to come.
Arohanui Kohine, Ivan, Jakob and all our whanau.
Nga mihi kia koutou hoki! Tell Pana to share his photos with us on Facebook and join our Tucker Trainees roopu
Hello Thanks Everyone For The Great Trip
Thanks Cap’n Sophie, “Afroman” (Tyrone), Cookie Marsha And Thanks To Rob,Even Though I Forgot to Give You The Chocolate…….
I will Try My Hardest To Come Out Again And Catch Up With All You Crew and Trainees.
Glad you enjoyed yourself. Please share your photos with us on Facebook and do join the Tucker Trainees group to keep up with what we are up to, including the reunion.
Words can’t say how grateful I am for having the last week with all of you, This was a life changeing experience for me, I can now climb aloft (much to mums surprise or shock) I have lost all of my photos when going to down load them, so please all share any you have on Facebook, to help fill up my album. I will miss Marsha heaps. The best bit of being home is the head does not move…..
see you at the reunion. Love Bradley batman…..
Kia ora Bradley, glad you enjoyed yourself
Please do join our Tucker Trainees group on Facebook and watch out for photos. Hope you get your bedroom back!
hi everyone thanx for the mean weeek marsha best food ever tyrone you liar not even 23 but the trip was cool once again and cant wait to see everyone at the reunion for 2012
YO MANGA!!!
Don’t forget to join the Tucker Trainees group Facebook to get information about the reunion! And don’t forget to follow up the invitation from Ross Blackman. Email youth@tucker.co.nz if you need some support with that.
thanx,, whu evah wrote this but just wanna no when the reunion is !:D!
LOVE YETI MISS EVERYONE ALLREADY
TEAR TEARhonestly:(
Date not decided as yet and will be posted on the Tucker Trainees Facebook page (not website).
thanx
On behalf of Josiah my wife and I would like to thank everyone who made this possible.I’m sure this will be an experience that he will treasure for the rest of his life.
Mauri Ora
Kia ora, the voyage was made possible by Oxford Trust, who have gaming machines at Mussell Rock. I am sure he will look forward to seeing you tomorrow!