Ahoj from the Good Ship R.Tucker Thompson, from sunrise to sunset another oarsome day. Skipped the swim this morning for a sunrise excursion, Ben first on deck, then Isaiah, Kyra, Leela as the hot chocolates arrived on deck, the sun rays put on a spectacular display astern with fingers of pink mist illuminating the last of the dawn sky. Out to Tikitiki (Ninepin) to watch the gannets waken , take flight from the northern slopes, off on their day. We hovered a while in the lee of a brisk south westerly then headed across the Bay to some shelter on the outside of Motuatrohia at the seaward entrance to the lagoon. Calm, bathed in sun, Corey went off ocean snorkelling with Eloise and Wayne. Eva, Leela, Kyra headed into the lagoon, Ngakiri wandered the edge of the lagoon while Joshua skirted the beach and rocks. Ben, Jemima, Siobhan, Isaiah, Abby and Trinity went for the lookout to take in the views. Beachcombing, rock climbing, exploration, kai moana gathering filled in our morning before returning to the ship by boat or stroke. Lunch, dishes, then 30 minutes silence, pretty much, as we got some time back from the early start.
The wind shifted as we rested, now in the south east we soon had sails set, trainees taking first command of hoisting, tacking away from Moturua we crept across to Kahuwera Point at the entrance to Paroa Bay for our overnight anchorage. The last of the class work achieved it as time for the last swim, bringing out the mega swing for the brave at heart. Corey, Isaiah, Abby, Kyra, Eva take up the excitement with encouragement from their new team mates and friends.
