Tena koutou katoa te whanau o te R.Tucker Thompson I tenei ra. Aue. Awake to a perfectly still morning, the trainees adapting a new technique of ladder entry rather than the boisterous manu off the rail. Well the girls did. The boys can’t help themselves. The duties are now accepted norm and the brass tiddly, the rest all ship shape ready for the day…no wind. With classes to finish we motored off to Motuarohia and anchored up. The challenge out for the best shanty between crew and trainees before a souperb lunch. As the wind increased with the approaching front. Dishes done, all hands on deck. Mainsail hoisted, foresail, anchor up, ship veered and leered onto course as the headsails hoisted filled with a steady 15 knot Nor Wester, We were off to Waitangi to drop Havanna off for Trials the next morning. After maintenance and with a new suit of sails we easily cracked 8 knots, and that’s with a reef in the main, the whitecaps indicating well above 15 knots. Tacking back from Waitangi to Russell we easily hit 7 knots on a broad reach, the trainees getting a good feel of Tall Ship sailing in sheltered waters. Lowering sail at Waitangi, tender ashore and hoisted on return, a quick visit to Russell for necessary supplies before the next front came through as we headed off to Moturoa into 35 knots and pelting rain, arriving to an anchorage offering some protection. The galley was full of warmth and aroma, the big fat pork roast and veges. The lemon meringue pie ready to go after raiding the tree at Marsden Cross. Perfect weather for a feast and last night joviality. We have bounced around amongst the weather, sometimes caught out but mostly making every a buoy a winner.
Dinner awaits, licking lips and rumbling stomachs soon at rest.
Po marie
Hopefully we will see you guys at the Opua wharf tomorrow at 1pm sharp.
