tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255061542024-03-13T13:43:15.060+13:00PaynepiratesThe Further Adventures of Phil, Kerry, & Ryan in 21st Century New Zealand................................... Newest at the Top, Oldest at the Bottom,Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-88451686608712537462017-08-07T18:23:00.001+12:002017-08-07T18:27:18.521+12:00The Hotel California<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vw0r8q2hgqEnOj66g8Lurq6HuX5l_xKuXvrBWUJvzFTwRuqWqMuEfvfWu3cPAyqCvTkrrDZbFNZtgawQRXyGlAFxmDAUcnlQRtTOuj9JHGEDMXhdygddGGl1zZQzMR3Iwp47/s1600/Panorama+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="1600" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vw0r8q2hgqEnOj66g8Lurq6HuX5l_xKuXvrBWUJvzFTwRuqWqMuEfvfWu3cPAyqCvTkrrDZbFNZtgawQRXyGlAFxmDAUcnlQRtTOuj9JHGEDMXhdygddGGl1zZQzMR3Iwp47/s400/Panorama+Sunset.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
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<span lang="EN-US">Savusavu was chosen as our arrival port
because it has a relatively easy entrance, is yacht friendly and we had heard
great things about the market and facilities there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">After an ocean passage if only of 11 days
you find yourself looking forward to ‘facilities.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We actually arrived at the mooring about
1045 but we had both been up for hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
quite exciting making landfall. The grey lumps on the horizon materializing
into green, textured islands. The ships and other boats to keep an eye on. The
reefs around the entrance becoming clearer as we approached with the big lumps
of broken coral sat on top giving the reef a dangerous spiky sharp-toothed
look. The smell of the land or the reef as you get closer. The fact we had got
ourselves to a foreign land by ourselves.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As we followed the coast around into the
entrance of Savusavu we passed the Jean Michel Cousteau resort on the point and
noticed several yachts anchored off close into the white sand beach and palm
trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwvAt0GutBFcHzwWBZoeX2aPpSjfhzPX4ikYfk1zmDQXcZTxhnAxuqwpxih3t7UN8b5j7pQ7093u1-4XXnJrvx8cVNKn54LnNqFq1KQG6LpGCe1FyxSBPSd4b9pTpbUGCSbMW/s1600/Village+at+the+entrance+to+Savusavu+inlet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwvAt0GutBFcHzwWBZoeX2aPpSjfhzPX4ikYfk1zmDQXcZTxhnAxuqwpxih3t7UN8b5j7pQ7093u1-4XXnJrvx8cVNKn54LnNqFq1KQG6LpGCe1FyxSBPSd4b9pTpbUGCSbMW/s400/Village+at+the+entrance+to+Savusavu+inlet.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coastline at the entrance to Savusavu inlet</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">Friends of ours on the yacht Carpe Diem had
recommended Waitui Marina run by Jolene as the friendlier of the options for
mooring once in Savusavu. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We called them
on channel 16 as we rounded the commercial ‘Dock’ into the mooring area. As a
foreign yacht clearing in we had no option but to pick up a mooring and wait
for the Customs, Immigration, Health, and Biosecurity officers to visit us onboard
replete with forms of one sort or another.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaAm5zoNo80TMP3b-TsOJ3ZsZb9-hxEE2tKUGrAs9oPUYheDj-FdPQ7QkCfnhnvzbWtZF4RgALcsFxheH_WBEXZ8C3wRCAza-UT4OTMgd8A_fDFWnxYfk4BJYy_EJwIBUMHKp/s1600/Waitui+marina+on+a+bright+blue+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaAm5zoNo80TMP3b-TsOJ3ZsZb9-hxEE2tKUGrAs9oPUYheDj-FdPQ7QkCfnhnvzbWtZF4RgALcsFxheH_WBEXZ8C3wRCAza-UT4OTMgd8A_fDFWnxYfk4BJYy_EJwIBUMHKp/s400/Waitui+marina+on+a+bright+blue+day.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waitui Marina building and dock</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Jolene sent out Daki the boatman in the
marina runabout to show us to our mooring, help us tie on and then we had but
to sit back and wait while he rounded up the officers and ferried them to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We had followed a tanker into the inlet and
therefore had to wait until they had cleared in before the officers of the
various departments could get to see us. Time for a cold beer and a sandwich
after our traditional tot of Rum toast to our new anchorage. Its soo good
having a fridge/freezer on board – Cold beer! Cold Cheese! Ice Cubes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Shortly however the cockpit was full of
chatty, efficient and cheerful officials, it’s a small town and everyone knows
everyone else, they all seemed to enjoy the catch up while they passed myriad
forms, bills and other paperwork around the table to Phil and I for completion,
filing, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As always with officials coming onboard I
offered them a drink, they all seemed to relish the cold lemon squash but they
weren’t as impressed as we were by the fact we could supply ICE CUBES!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Once they had all been taken off to the
next boat by Daki we could lower our yellow Q flag and go ashore. We manhandled
the dinghy over the side from the foredeck where it has lain lashed down since
we were ready to leave Opua nearly 5 weeks prior.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlX1XY9FIsr2a3WIBsveZQwwSnBAiu20fACz-UA6PVi6XlVxi6rMZzUWQ4CFFLYet0uSFx-HLtMfN1O_2PTSukvTwLeJ6fRlebC94RDdf1Jo0u62WxfuU66m0sjGtdoVSu9X2/s1600/Snowbird+and+a+double+rainbow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlX1XY9FIsr2a3WIBsveZQwwSnBAiu20fACz-UA6PVi6XlVxi6rMZzUWQ4CFFLYet0uSFx-HLtMfN1O_2PTSukvTwLeJ6fRlebC94RDdf1Jo0u62WxfuU66m0sjGtdoVSu9X2/s640/Snowbird+and+a+double+rainbow.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruce and Snowbird under a double rainbow</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">Our mooring was very close to the dock and
near a yacht called Snowbird from NZ that looked like it had seen better days,
as we rowed past we saw the skipper looking at a new sail in a heap on the
foredeck scratching his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we
had completed the formalities with Jolene in the Marina office we sat enjoying
our first cold beer ashore waiting for the ground to stop swaying. The old chap
who had been trying to make sense of his sail rowed ashore and sat down next to
us and introduced himself, after approximately 1 minute we had ascertained that
we had mutual friends in Opua, he had spent a lot of time sailing with Ian
Woods, I worked with Ian’s wife Dianne and they had both been to our house
shortly before we left for farewell drinks – it was a bit mind blowing that the
first yachtie we spoke to had close ties with people we knew from back home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It transpired that Bruce had had a new
mainsail made nearly a year go but had only just got around to fitting it. Over
the course of the time we spent in Savusavu Phil gave him a hand, so did Daki
to get the new sail on, fitted, reefed down and the cover back over it. Every
day a little bit of progress but hard work on your own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We had a few days to kill waiting for our
cruising permit so one day we took a bus trip over to Labasa on the other side
of the island. It is the main town on Vanua Levu and a lot drier that the south
and eastern side which catches all the rain from the tradewinds. Still couldn’t
find a thermometer to tell exactly how bloody hot it was, nor fuel filters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It was good as they don’t get many tourists
over there, we took ages walking through the market as everybody wanted to talk
to us, especially as I had picked up a bit of sugar cane from the road and they
all wanted to know why I was carrying a stick around.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4-I9UKw9bfgFg5YYUOvAc3Vt6ZOeZGvA59I-YCQJurU7YTCrlzMKl4aq40ZYeJl8VIbUvmsFPvjFvmDiCFKFFCdxK6Km076nU9HvrrbVxOkC6HdiDBgkB4yKw0e7X_7wUm1Q/s1600/Labasa+Market+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4-I9UKw9bfgFg5YYUOvAc3Vt6ZOeZGvA59I-YCQJurU7YTCrlzMKl4aq40ZYeJl8VIbUvmsFPvjFvmDiCFKFFCdxK6Km076nU9HvrrbVxOkC6HdiDBgkB4yKw0e7X_7wUm1Q/s640/Labasa+Market+.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">whats the stick for?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd1406DV4oQev7WqCoAIstS4XAwKKHIVl42jVnS3behwGCZCxOOL9MUWKF5LQiz5-c3vH21SVDeLqGPrQYLlsS2UgIWCRDcogt-hvTgu3tpIOEWUPd_AmObqkmW4r0KkS3EZ4/s1600/Labasa+market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd1406DV4oQev7WqCoAIstS4XAwKKHIVl42jVnS3behwGCZCxOOL9MUWKF5LQiz5-c3vH21SVDeLqGPrQYLlsS2UgIWCRDcogt-hvTgu3tpIOEWUPd_AmObqkmW4r0KkS3EZ4/s640/Labasa+market.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't even - she's got a stick!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHz1ZcFKBtxnfZQCoxTxzJFqLe4tF9CHt0ePQZYF7POQpFYuvpN8tSr5I8kVjkJ9_oKQ8OkqQdi8aKI0kFOWCzCi8wj_cYIElSsdVdqCCH9ecDkB0vNwiyxmnqagmiw8x1Gre/s1600/Spices+in+the+market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHz1ZcFKBtxnfZQCoxTxzJFqLe4tF9CHt0ePQZYF7POQpFYuvpN8tSr5I8kVjkJ9_oKQ8OkqQdi8aKI0kFOWCzCi8wj_cYIElSsdVdqCCH9ecDkB0vNwiyxmnqagmiw8x1Gre/s640/Spices+in+the+market.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spices at Labasa market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLNu_fdV84imsqR1wxWtKL_UPLgTCqN_Z6dkCQE0d9-cZQ2IYtw3-SPUNFrBswlRSgVDZFOuDqbNEV5VqHCEUAa97Y1PrssMG2viGqyDyIaqtw4Gke_ub7HFk25qRRn1WDkOT/s1600/Sugar+cane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLNu_fdV84imsqR1wxWtKL_UPLgTCqN_Z6dkCQE0d9-cZQ2IYtw3-SPUNFrBswlRSgVDZFOuDqbNEV5VqHCEUAa97Y1PrssMG2viGqyDyIaqtw4Gke_ub7HFk25qRRn1WDkOT/s640/Sugar+cane.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar cane on its way to the factory - where my stick came from :) </td></tr>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When we initially checked in with Jolene in
the ‘Marina office’ we said we’d be there for about a week she looked up smiled
and said, OK but -– it’s a bit like the Hotel California here.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraV3G7qpKmK0zeci4YZqH7bw-b8RtLwCWrjNa7qDD65gSLt33K00mYFI0MHwKYVHww9Wv3tPiX-sfMV9o7nArxwZfJ_1m49RDSJJ0GJ_UlRT3M9kGmF7rb32GbPOCxbf3aFKh/s1600/Waitui+jetty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraV3G7qpKmK0zeci4YZqH7bw-b8RtLwCWrjNa7qDD65gSLt33K00mYFI0MHwKYVHww9Wv3tPiX-sfMV9o7nArxwZfJ_1m49RDSJJ0GJ_UlRT3M9kGmF7rb32GbPOCxbf3aFKh/s640/Waitui+jetty.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel Waitui Marina California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1bOWuOkaN5ZW2FWCb0A5gcf2M4Y2we7AJOzWUXHvdHky6x-YqU_0a3sbaq286028ahkamNW_0pyCtA6jloD7o7-Iypqpzax_uIGs1zRqL_EGi1D2m0sqx5_DfSpQqUj-b60X/s1600/Waitui+marina+road+side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1bOWuOkaN5ZW2FWCb0A5gcf2M4Y2we7AJOzWUXHvdHky6x-YqU_0a3sbaq286028ahkamNW_0pyCtA6jloD7o7-Iypqpzax_uIGs1zRqL_EGi1D2m0sqx5_DfSpQqUj-b60X/s640/Waitui+marina+road+side.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unprepossessing maybe</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Like many of the islands we’d been to in
the Caribbean it certainly attracts your ‘interesting’ types. Expats from
different countries trying to make a living in various levels of nefariousness,
‘professional Trip Advisor writers’ (really?) people caught in the net of
island life not really sure how they got snagged but not really sure how to
move on either. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Savusavu is a really comfortable town to
get ensconced in, it has everything you need for daily life (apart from Ford
Fuel Filters) the people - originals and the imports are all really friendly
and willing to sit and chat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>It rained a lot in Savusavu</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vmclUnU_81NnXpgTLEISNyF3nd7KRLmtbfqDbjI3K3qVXOon_gM1CSmsU_nf7Y2-5HzOkAWhqwkZ-99Hvnr9WH5Qn6xpJFM2x87so6iLudlPHDk-FL7hk_88TvtcNseNi7Av/s1600/Kerry+in+the+rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vmclUnU_81NnXpgTLEISNyF3nd7KRLmtbfqDbjI3K3qVXOon_gM1CSmsU_nf7Y2-5HzOkAWhqwkZ-99Hvnr9WH5Qn6xpJFM2x87so6iLudlPHDk-FL7hk_88TvtcNseNi7Av/s640/Kerry+in+the+rain.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerry in the rain (emergency umbrella from the dollar shop)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisELdZ_abH092k1c2NpCtMCkINWPp-J73OOSHf5i004YLqdQNu3LVQ5fWHKhlZuLiBEuvNxVG87HN2PPcWPsp6-AyMNQ7bGmlwxpZ70mkpnK56IurZyNoUkt34fBRlX_dkOxAa/s1600/Raining.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisELdZ_abH092k1c2NpCtMCkINWPp-J73OOSHf5i004YLqdQNu3LVQ5fWHKhlZuLiBEuvNxVG87HN2PPcWPsp6-AyMNQ7bGmlwxpZ70mkpnK56IurZyNoUkt34fBRlX_dkOxAa/s640/Raining.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waitui marina in the rain</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHDZB1MAK1Wa-sDdzP3yjF7uNYamwZBY9q77Ao-5SREJ-M6CBjq7YXDhXP2aOY-cRvPKkE48sIkYbePiT2zmHAExILGtfUgLbF3pFpg-DEv95deBtT7Luy209udUn7BGv3qiX/s1600/Savusavu+in+the+rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHDZB1MAK1Wa-sDdzP3yjF7uNYamwZBY9q77Ao-5SREJ-M6CBjq7YXDhXP2aOY-cRvPKkE48sIkYbePiT2zmHAExILGtfUgLbF3pFpg-DEv95deBtT7Luy209udUn7BGv3qiX/s640/Savusavu+in+the+rain.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savusavu in the rain </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-sHpmTK-ED4HXUVwJIYCP8dCHJc4Cze08FoCCW-a1ebn6aCpDLffmFHMIiHZEy2cb_a7EJeYnFE4pr5BdTV8K7YgB4SRqqBz7gpipIUBly4-kbjo85wzPwipIEBvZ4xMTzrV/s640/Wild+Sweet+in+the+rain.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Sweet in the rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-sHpmTK-ED4HXUVwJIYCP8dCHJc4Cze08FoCCW-a1ebn6aCpDLffmFHMIiHZEy2cb_a7EJeYnFE4pr5BdTV8K7YgB4SRqqBz7gpipIUBly4-kbjo85wzPwipIEBvZ4xMTzrV/s1600/Wild+Sweet+in+the+rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Luckily we managed to get a spare set of
fuel filters DHL’d out to us, the customs clearance for cruising permit came
through and after about 10 days we could up and leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU8jEQHsTpmywmv4IYUU2rg-3EbXlgOExps6GIGJ5XXBreYEBufMVZZoa2LHa6zqKkoqUe_uKoH0LKnzzPIZwIXH0164qIdfeAHHkTu3ie1BCbRnbVQfJGgRIKaZIRe3pGL7p/s1600/Multitasking+doctor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU8jEQHsTpmywmv4IYUU2rg-3EbXlgOExps6GIGJ5XXBreYEBufMVZZoa2LHa6zqKkoqUe_uKoH0LKnzzPIZwIXH0164qIdfeAHHkTu3ie1BCbRnbVQfJGgRIKaZIRe3pGL7p/s400/Multitasking+doctor.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multitasking Doctors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4uLzSGc_OO57ZoP2b5P6iS_v5hUREVXEITkzebW2rcqWJ3tLaYRWfYGRZE3NIWijicCcrjazHvRiKng5JRpOV9tacohH9CS5Y9GmIjNsfRFGEug7eXWJn7YsJmKmU_Uu0zSt/s1600/seafood+and+furniture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4uLzSGc_OO57ZoP2b5P6iS_v5hUREVXEITkzebW2rcqWJ3tLaYRWfYGRZE3NIWijicCcrjazHvRiKng5JRpOV9tacohH9CS5Y9GmIjNsfRFGEug7eXWJn7YsJmKmU_Uu0zSt/s400/seafood+and+furniture.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multitasking shops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUng32IyGyNH8AB_N0o01Yp9EKGnjuQ2MvQ9MtLS6GZjTTzz_Qj57-lst-TS9CtemfHk8sDGvL-VeDVUG5NbHRaJf6h34rwENYMeiM6Y1adG1hoEOYZPHb8kSz6vEJl5ukjtG/s1600/Supermarket%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUng32IyGyNH8AB_N0o01Yp9EKGnjuQ2MvQ9MtLS6GZjTTzz_Qj57-lst-TS9CtemfHk8sDGvL-VeDVUG5NbHRaJf6h34rwENYMeiM6Y1adG1hoEOYZPHb8kSz6vEJl5ukjtG/s640/Supermarket%2521.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supermarket!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySf4kxr0o2-fzzGDM9ZmpNbiZuc9rqRTuNXYbFWy9w7XQXs35EdfNIuc9y4ddRWOXdltR4uE1Uzw9-06KorGSoX1paTPx1MvK_Po0i2rgCpbp4ste125SES7l499T0oZKl-RS/s1600/Seaplane+in+the+anchorage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySf4kxr0o2-fzzGDM9ZmpNbiZuc9rqRTuNXYbFWy9w7XQXs35EdfNIuc9y4ddRWOXdltR4uE1Uzw9-06KorGSoX1paTPx1MvK_Po0i2rgCpbp4ste125SES7l499T0oZKl-RS/s640/Seaplane+in+the+anchorage.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not what you'd expect to go bombing through the anchorage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qfozSdsLKcacDSGcrrIRAdlbCaamyyXwSKX7FJDHeuq0h3DkCWRGlbd17rAqAKHkJAlYlD0-Y45lsEjsU5sGLPwlb7TwBt_b0KdU9LkWf4HOUK49tgqWe7ZOieNcEotLIH22/s1600/My+Parrot+Fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qfozSdsLKcacDSGcrrIRAdlbCaamyyXwSKX7FJDHeuq0h3DkCWRGlbd17rAqAKHkJAlYlD0-Y45lsEjsU5sGLPwlb7TwBt_b0KdU9LkWf4HOUK49tgqWe7ZOieNcEotLIH22/s640/My+Parrot+Fish.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this is my fish - caught on a handline and a bit of bread!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Join us next time as we explore the Koro sea and islands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-64581835299628068712017-06-11T19:14:00.000+12:002017-06-11T19:15:09.435+12:00Are We There Yet?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The ultimate ‘Are we there yet?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">How was the trip? They asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Boring, Beautiful, Exciting, Hot, Cold, Wet, and sometimes Wild.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Leaving Opua was like heading off on a
highway, there were yachts everywhere, all racing North as fast as they could –
we’d most of us been waiting nearly 3 weeks from our initial departure date of
May 6<sup>th</sup>. There were a lot of boats like us sailing off independently
as well as the 20 odd yachts left on the Island Cruising Association (ICA)
Pacific Circuit Rally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The first 24 hours was a great intro (if a
bit lumpy) to our Ocean Passage, we had a big long ocean swell coming at us
from the north and a brisk breeze coming at us from the South West. We managed
to have a good start averaging over 6 knots for the first day and a half before
the wind started to die off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We had chosen to leave in a weather window
that would see us catching the tail end of a low pressure system and its
associated southerly winds before going through the middle of a high pressure
system where there would be no wind and fair bit of motoring to get to the
South Easterlies of the trade wind belt near the Islands. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a typical weather pattern for this
part of the world, weather systems divided by troughs or fronts coming at us
from the Tasman Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Wild Sweet carries 300l of diesel in her
tank plus we had 60l in jerry cans to top up with if we needed. At the rate of
2.2l/hour we had a reasonable amount of motoring covered off. Good job too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The first day it was all about getting our
sealegs, the wonder of being on our way at last and bedding down all the rattley
bumpy things stowed in lockers. Preparing our first radio report for our 1700
check in on the SSB with Peter Mott at Northland Radio we had to make sure we
had all the info in the right order as he had about 50 boats on his roll call
every night and was to enter the info into a database then email our family
back home as we radioed it through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We saw a huge pod of dolphins, some stayed
with us a while to play in our bow wave as we neared the 12 mile territorial
limit of NZ waters and the end of my telecom mobile coverage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Then we were on our own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwcoFHg8B_ynpOdu-3eXVXCTi82kz4eOz9s_WJnJpJlWSj-_U_8vUES2VeYCd8_Y7Pa0hxegqWfDqY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After the 1700 SSB check in we had to sort out
a watch system so there was someone awake and on watch 24 hours a day. We ended
up with<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">1700 – Radio sched with NLR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Dinner,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">1830-2130 first watch – Kerry on, Phil off<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">2130-0030 second watch – Phil on, Kerry off<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">0030-0330 third watch – Kerry on, Phil off<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">0330-0630 fourth watch – Phil on, Kerry off<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">0630 Kerry on watch to do SSB radio sched
with Gulf Harbor radio at 0700<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">0730 Weather forecast from Gulf Harbour
radio<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Breakfast<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Position Plot at 1200<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Lounging around, playing I-spy (I spy with
my little eye something beginning with S!), trimming the sails, or staring at
the horizon trying to not feel queasy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Rinse and repeat for 11 days more or less.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Boring?</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Yes by God, it was the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ultimate</i></b> ‘are we there yet’ scenario
when we were motoring 24 hours a day for 4 days on the trot, then a day of
sailing, then another day of engine, this time into a heavy northerly swell
which mixed up the fuel so well all the shit that lies at the bottom of your
tank <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(you know it does..) got sucked up into the
filters and the motor splutters its last ….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJZo9wzjPgjPWuYNIoKZr0CpRL7ewvjfEOMPh7JktR-HOitUh246rEe-Tqj1el0udnUMBBMn7qYbs37pWKXopTK4v61uRUclq3E17H9DACK5ERn_mTKhpI0GjOKvaqFW2R98h/s1600/Oily+sunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJZo9wzjPgjPWuYNIoKZr0CpRL7ewvjfEOMPh7JktR-HOitUh246rEe-Tqj1el0udnUMBBMn7qYbs37pWKXopTK4v61uRUclq3E17H9DACK5ERn_mTKhpI0GjOKvaqFW2R98h/s320/Oily+sunrise.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Beautiful</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The MOST AMAZING sunsets and sunrises
especially over the flattest, oily swells, the sky reflecting so perfectly into
the sea with colours that only nature can provide in such brilliance and
combinations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Milky Way arching overhead and mirrored
in the boat’s wake, phosphorescence shooting out like a rocket trail from the
rudder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Shooting stars falling into oblivion, the
night sky so dark, the horned moon setting in its tangerine glory, so brilliant
as to appear so close you’d think the devil himself was peeking over the
horizon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The random patches of glowing green
efflorescence that could only be mysterious sea creatures just below the
surface, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no shape or form, just a
ghostly glow drifting past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEwrLnDn8VPCmaxSpRHtSpC58OV4noFjgnT2-HQwY5H3qrHoyYYzBViPa-pxjzlh_JsymDcOfvcmt5QEsZFFIauzLfwYhBifc1LDTKInEL9t-Y9YUnlv71vDdDEkmK9mNVBHy/s1600/cooked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEwrLnDn8VPCmaxSpRHtSpC58OV4noFjgnT2-HQwY5H3qrHoyYYzBViPa-pxjzlh_JsymDcOfvcmt5QEsZFFIauzLfwYhBifc1LDTKInEL9t-Y9YUnlv71vDdDEkmK9mNVBHy/s320/cooked.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only slightly cooked :|</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Cg-Y4voow-dWHC-JZGHB1qTyCKa4qBCO1suPwGb6tpGoZt7z5ZszSN097a8rlgOnhsmkfuIHI4xtzmgYYnmGWlgBq1vMSJgsbBDH6r9_lSB5B9CTFzglZ9g-5mAAL6_HvIso/s1600/sunet+no+filter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Cg-Y4voow-dWHC-JZGHB1qTyCKa4qBCO1suPwGb6tpGoZt7z5ZszSN097a8rlgOnhsmkfuIHI4xtzmgYYnmGWlgBq1vMSJgsbBDH6r9_lSB5B9CTFzglZ9g-5mAAL6_HvIso/s320/sunet+no+filter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#nofilter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeBSNLd5ihhXOKuHxcADWiVWkFlTF0nOqC4USEbb1gqO-Mb0ywcfgeiwpqgZG40QFWDelRXbHiDCBovIM5suhCVJ1PxK4QELpkWEMkf_osxFWoc0jF1hITbJOiPvpXA8KgAlJ/s1600/Sunset%253Amoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeBSNLd5ihhXOKuHxcADWiVWkFlTF0nOqC4USEbb1gqO-Mb0ywcfgeiwpqgZG40QFWDelRXbHiDCBovIM5suhCVJ1PxK4QELpkWEMkf_osxFWoc0jF1hITbJOiPvpXA8KgAlJ/s320/Sunset%253Amoon.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset/ Crescent Moon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Exciting<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Bowling down 3 metre swells at 9 knots in
the dark, the trusty Hydrovane keeping our course without fault. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Watching an actual cold front come across
at 3am, the horizon disappeared, the rain and black cloud gave the impression
of being in a big grey bag, floating in space with no relation to what was
near, far, sea or sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Watching tuna jump all around the boat,
casting a rod out to have the whole 100m of line stripped from the reel in an
instant! – That was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> a skipjack
tuna… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Checking out the Albatross as they came to
check us out, one even landing on the windspeed indicator at the masthead and
hitching a ride with us. Very curious creatures, they would spend hours flying
around the boat trying to land on bits of it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOPutz8nXWlEoFksDMkSQI4kYyXL_98AJzmifsPOpTZBd40h3OfPtX7iUbKLSPbuP6AowTjb6oobSv0c1d0IsQfi0nkYThGtziuKwqxQS8SLbR3Y6CvD3rUOVrIMeL-PcvNlR/s1600/IMG_9008+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOPutz8nXWlEoFksDMkSQI4kYyXL_98AJzmifsPOpTZBd40h3OfPtX7iUbKLSPbuP6AowTjb6oobSv0c1d0IsQfi0nkYThGtziuKwqxQS8SLbR3Y6CvD3rUOVrIMeL-PcvNlR/s320/IMG_9008+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqhKLSOIGTOhXX0IWa18dRJvG82B2yLsRhFXdXeRbW-ONcXryi-O8seft-T50sNWWZzwbN8af0mAN5mS7vQKOCHYzt6rMEhQkCBUoH814FzOjThjJBe5LfIiVi55VnWyUxAf3/s1600/passenger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqhKLSOIGTOhXX0IWa18dRJvG82B2yLsRhFXdXeRbW-ONcXryi-O8seft-T50sNWWZzwbN8af0mAN5mS7vQKOCHYzt6rMEhQkCBUoH814FzOjThjJBe5LfIiVi55VnWyUxAf3/s320/passenger.JPG" width="240" /></a></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px;">Sighting land after 10 days at sea, a foreign country no less.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Hot/Cold</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> – we left NZ as winter was starting to bite. 9 degrees at night,
still 20 odd in the day though. The water temperature rose from 20 degrees in
the BOI to 30 degrees here in the tropics. The first half of the trip I was
wearing my North Sea oil rig issue orange suit on night watches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The last few nights of the trip it was
shorts and shirt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Wet/Wild
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">N</span></b><span lang="EN-US">ot a great deal of rain, in fact only one lot of showers as we got
swallowed up in a trough between the cold front and the next low pressure
system. Wild Sweet is such an excellent sea boat we (Phil) only got splashed in
the cockpit a couple of times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It got a
bit wild for us when that trough went across so we hove to for the night and
waited till it all settled down, we had to slow down anyway to allow us to
arrive in the morning rather than after hours and there’s no sense in getting
yourself bashed around for the sake of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Learnings<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Lifejackets/Harnesses are not necessarily designed
with women in mind! My one was extremely uncomfortable and had to keep
adjusting it around my lady lumps so, ladies, make sure you buy yours after
trying a few on. I’m sure they are not all made equal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Even if you don’t get sea sick (we don’t)
then anti nausea tablets are very useful for the first day or two of a passage
till you get your sealegs. We have some that dissolve on your tongue and work
really quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Precooked, frozen and vacuum packed meals
are where it’s at.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Carry spares of your spare fuel filters, we
had to change out our 3 fuel filters mid ocean, luckily we were at a
comfortable and relatively flat point of sail, it was still a good half day
with Phil upside down in the engine compartment swearing a lot and both of us
getting covered in diesel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Two radio schedules may seem a bit overkill
to people who do this trip every year. I had arranged with Annette at Far North
radio to check in every evening but we had trouble raising her so in the end we
had a morning informal check in with Patricia at Gulf Harbour Radio who would
enter our position and comments into our <a href="https://www.yit.nz/yacht/wildsweet" target="_blank">YIT page</a> followed by a decent weather
report and associated discussion by David.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Northland Radio evening check in was
great to keep track of other boats we knew of who had left around the same time
as us. Plus Peter would then email our position report to our chosen shore
based person who would then pass on to interested parties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFE-I1X8zxmj0HxdV8fnuHhb6bUTI813B5VYzi2n9ycIKR6aPGny2xkkjmjrR4bSu2iGGrH3fmvEBPLQYK54D7GoBAcv3gMAyMXTjCZ2JmtDyohIoqnZNV3loeoXxVTrzjRar/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFE-I1X8zxmj0HxdV8fnuHhb6bUTI813B5VYzi2n9ycIKR6aPGny2xkkjmjrR4bSu2iGGrH3fmvEBPLQYK54D7GoBAcv3gMAyMXTjCZ2JmtDyohIoqnZNV3loeoXxVTrzjRar/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px;">Arrived!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wild Sweet in the background, Cold Fiji Gold Beer and frosty glass in the foreground at Waitui Marina Savusavu</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-74775625137015728292017-05-16T13:00:00.002+12:002017-05-16T13:00:55.056+12:00The AntimeridianI love Greenwich, every time we go back to the old country we visit Greenwich, the Observatory, the story of Longitude, the Harrison clocks. The sheer amount of seafaring history all in one place is a wonderful thing to behold.<br />
Standing astride the Greenwich Meridian I had never really put any thought into what goes on on the other side of the planet at 180 degrees.<br />
Putting our waypoints in the chart plotter for our trip north the other day we realised we would be sailing across and back over the Antimeridian going from 179 degrees some minutes East to 179 degrees some minutes West and back again.<br />
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OOOh exciting - technically we will be crossing over the date line - or where the date line should be -I guess it got moved to allow countries to share the same day as its actually a bit over to the East of where we will be sailing.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-63514327075658637612017-05-13T15:28:00.003+12:002017-05-13T15:28:48.234+12:00Hurry up and go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the chap that we are waiting for - once he's out of the way we can shoot northwards like a pinball between two spinning weather systems towards the sun and the tropics.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-56844806319430445132017-05-12T09:26:00.001+12:002017-05-13T11:05:58.892+12:00Ready and Waiting<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PqQ2Bm2QgJedluZyjSRJw-2Vr0wzIbNg3Z5LMMtRdWmoozBOmC05hiBs7yvw81XYBBlUxNbPin7y44U27tWEzacs4Va2xoVrPSZtpZnrkJW7YkLBYBXFDdqHeHuRvZGC7BWO/s1600/Wild+Sweet+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PqQ2Bm2QgJedluZyjSRJw-2Vr0wzIbNg3Z5LMMtRdWmoozBOmC05hiBs7yvw81XYBBlUxNbPin7y44U27tWEzacs4Va2xoVrPSZtpZnrkJW7YkLBYBXFDdqHeHuRvZGC7BWO/s320/Wild+Sweet+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Waiting for the weather - I mean it's OK if you're out there and you get hit with 40kn winds plus and big seas, you'd hope that you and the boat would be able to cope OK. In reality it's going to happen at some stage but to sail off out into it knowing it's forecast, well, that's plain dumb. Also it would be handy if the wind was coming from the right direction - as soon as that baby is out of the way we should be good to go.<br />
So in the meantime we have quit our jobs (till the summer), filled Wild Sweet with food, water, fuel, books, rum and clothes. We are hanging out waiting for the weather window that will see us at least until Minerva Reef, an atoll in the middle of the ocean which many yachties use as a stopover between here and the Islands.<br />
I intend to be writing this blog and uploading it where we can get internet as we will not be online while at sea. Sharing the news to facebook as well. We will still be getting our emails at paynepirates@yahoo.com when we can access internet either through shore wifi or data on local SIM cards.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-48466285452638621202011-02-24T15:14:00.000+13:002011-02-24T15:14:30.224+13:00Tree PumpkinsWe found a note on our doorstep yesterday when we got home from work.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkws77H4aYAbkoC7aanOOZZdC5AHtIX7JTz1EJXoHzMhpAeEtot_IgDb3ilTr6h7O9U32MAv_Jzgg4C9o_u2jlUcyzQPDtlXj35AQmcjrB3LabUH5TWGpm-8AIfXUcp0zPJ0v/s1600/IMG_1257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkws77H4aYAbkoC7aanOOZZdC5AHtIX7JTz1EJXoHzMhpAeEtot_IgDb3ilTr6h7O9U32MAv_Jzgg4C9o_u2jlUcyzQPDtlXj35AQmcjrB3LabUH5TWGpm-8AIfXUcp0zPJ0v/s320/IMG_1257.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The pumpkin vine had been trained to grow up a tree (that's another story) as we ran out of room on the ground.<br />
The tree grows out over the neighbour's driveway.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We harvested two at the weekend as Phil was getting paranoid about the pumpkins falling on the neighbour's cars as the drove in or out - the picture above was taken on Weds evening after we found the note, we didn't even realise there was one growing there when we took the others off at the weekend, everything grows so fast here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0kbGnmNP1h3RfadVRYwZWdD5ZVD1bO5lWfmLSxFhmALLTKJOV4MRuI3Pgcm7bkrXsYq5ApSZn7vq4oXZP6SOIM2zUZ0-seqmDOgyAM_HEx04pNpXj0vNAGoRNrNwHPm6XeC2/s1600/IMG_1261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0kbGnmNP1h3RfadVRYwZWdD5ZVD1bO5lWfmLSxFhmALLTKJOV4MRuI3Pgcm7bkrXsYq5ApSZn7vq4oXZP6SOIM2zUZ0-seqmDOgyAM_HEx04pNpXj0vNAGoRNrNwHPm6XeC2/s320/IMG_1261.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The thing is, it's still a really young pumpkin and is nowhere near ready, hopefully the next ones can grow somewhere where they aren't a danger to passing cars! We have now pulled the vine back in over the garden and will just have to visit it each day to make sure its behaving.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-59054215683138383982011-01-06T15:33:00.004+13:002011-02-24T16:13:39.735+13:00ChooksOr 'Chickens' for those of you outside NZ.<br />
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If you've been keeping up with happenings at the Payne house you will know that we have been working on getting chickens in for a little while now. Ever since we explored the end of the garden at our new house (moved in just over a year ago) and found a bit at the end we didn't know we had.<br />
'Ooh we can have chickens!' said Phil. We put out budding architect (Ryan) to work, to design and build a chicken house, Phil built retaining walls, and they both got stuck in & put up fences. All of a sudden we had a chicken house and run at the end of the vegetable garden.<br />
None of this would have been possible without the constant nagging of a friend and colleague @peteinakl , support and inspiration from another friend and ex colleague @ianhowarth<br />
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Here is a video of the historic moment when our trio of Brown Shavers after having been confined to their house for most of yesterday were let out nto their new home.<br />
They are point of lay pullets, which means that they are under a year old and will hopefully start laying eggs in the next few days (or at least in the next week or so). they are as yet unnamed but as we get to know them and their characteristics then I'm sure they wont stay nameless for long.<br />
So if you can spare 5 mins of your life then feel free to groove on down to a bit of Diana Ross and click away....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyMe87mlcwPDwwiquMgymW_Xw2GIdd1Y-sd1nBkk9Lg6NXpo6MtiGVUlYeEnsFIJgao38Dn6FXD2oU' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-2991755151714438542010-12-17T13:12:00.000+13:002010-12-17T13:12:10.794+13:00Boys on tourThe U14 Boys Water Polo team have been away from home for one night and so far the damage toll is.<br />
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1 Mobile phone (put in the fridge)<br />
1 Hotel room phone (put in the sink)<br />
2 Hotel room beds (capsized and mattresses in the bath)<br />
2 boys with new mullet haircuts (scissor attack on the B team by the A team)<br />
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The question is 'do I want him going away next year if he gets into the U16s?' - at least there was no alcohol involved this time , just high spirits!)<br />
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I'm SO glad I'm not their Manager !Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-75729163359678332542009-09-03T13:07:00.004+12:002011-02-24T16:12:40.718+13:00Ryan's Hovercraft.Science Fair time at school. - Ryan decides to create a trolley that would make his paper round easier - he hates lugging the huuuuge pile of papers up the hills on his round. After a lot of discussion and internet research we find ideas for a hovercraft that could be adapted for the cause.<br />
Construction photos to come - Vid of prototypes and finished article here.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyhYxalZ-YwVCBGGExHS1Hijq93SC1fIOXWh_phhYvljhmcdS1U4comV76MSyaxpGEOWImU4BrY6w0' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-68255611111469555182009-08-22T21:26:00.008+12:002009-08-23T20:15:32.630+12:00The Anchor Story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89g8UQ4G60iABsdYp7ltU7bufTdoSbe6hRQm27_TNZBm31BDL-BnpoOlbPpQ8JsrcZ6RTJxcu3aqHXaOXpJ4bnnvXApSlenvigyf5K7mJ9fBPH-fpUmCRsCCZgX5BHwkc29cX/s1600-h/Kerrydive.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89g8UQ4G60iABsdYp7ltU7bufTdoSbe6hRQm27_TNZBm31BDL-BnpoOlbPpQ8JsrcZ6RTJxcu3aqHXaOXpJ4bnnvXApSlenvigyf5K7mJ9fBPH-fpUmCRsCCZgX5BHwkc29cX/s320/Kerrydive.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372726523587833602" border="0" /></a>When we were living in St Martin we used to go out out scuba diving with some mates. Lee, Monty & Sandy.<br />This one time we went out on Chris' boat (Celtic Warrior) Sandy and Monty stayed on the boat while Phil, myself and Lee jumped over the side and started poking around on the bottom about 10 m deep, really clear water, sandy bottom with a few rocky and coral bommies and some fish, sand dollars and conch around the place.<br />It's surprising what you find when you're diving sometimes. We found an anchor!<br />Score! we thought, then looked up to see the boat (with Monty and Sandy oblivious) floating away.<br />They soon realised, and started up the engine to turn back but got the anchor warp wrapped around the prop.<br />Good job there were divers in the water to untangle them and tie the anchor back on!<br /><br />Which leads me onto the Dehumidifier Story next.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-82050738374754392462009-08-22T20:38:00.006+12:002009-08-23T22:43:33.947+12:00The Dehumidifier Story.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwYepwqScuiDLHZcZdxRQQFHC61A8Glvrj2DXvEyC0j6RJUeKIlUt_ZyZQ0LD6XZqWMOQbXsgBs7NPmCTOfTs6sszI-qan2pBShZc6FXNexE2pK_Su8_JW16GeguZghdbmFDo/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwYepwqScuiDLHZcZdxRQQFHC61A8Glvrj2DXvEyC0j6RJUeKIlUt_ZyZQ0LD6XZqWMOQbXsgBs7NPmCTOfTs6sszI-qan2pBShZc6FXNexE2pK_Su8_JW16GeguZghdbmFDo/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372729460146176850" border="0" /></a><br />For those of you not from here, or not familiar with <a href="http://www.metservice.co.nz/public/">NZ weather</a>, it has a tendency to be wet especially in the Winter - Anyway as the houses tend not to have double glazing and central heating they can get musty indoors sometimes - most people have a dehumidifier at hand for when it gets a bit damp and cheesy.<br />We sold ours when we we got one of those ventilation systems <a href="http://www.hrv.co.nz/home.aspx">(HRV)</a> that blows air in from the roof cavity but now and again it feels a bit chilly but not quite cold enough to light the fire. I'm convinced we need a dehumidifier for incidental use, so I have been looking out for a sale on Dehumidifiers (theres always a sale on somewhere..........)<br /><a href="http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/">The Warehouse</a> had 40% off them this weekend so I managed to get the last one in Auckland (the display model!) - thats kinda like the drive thru - 'never get the display model' - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097733/quotes">'they always f**k you at the drive thru'</a><br />So I got an extra $10 off for having the display model - no box, no manual etc etc.<br />Got it home, stuck it in the bedroom, and turned it on. Stabbing randomly at the one button on it in an attempt to set the functions up!!!<br />30 mins later we checked up on it and it was a bit noisy - It was cheap , whaddya expect.... and there was a puddle on the carpet - it was doing a really good job of sucking the moisture out of the air and collecting it (on the carpet).<br />Good job we had a dehumidifier to dry out the carpet ! - I whittled a bung for the hole (another thing you dont get with display model, the bung to stop the water pissing out) and left it for another 30 mins or so, well the bung didn't work and we got another puddle.<br />Anyway its gone back to the shop today and I guess I will have to wait for another sale now.<br />Bummer about the carpet in the bedroom, it would be nice to dry it out somehow, maybe we should get a dehumidifier........Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-22147209721275484612009-05-02T09:52:00.004+12:002009-08-23T20:16:30.991+12:00Stealing from the Bees<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaBjMPYtn2Or3mJQz1_cGC-PE4bKxEBFrBNTr1glkE2172t-RJwmluXGRnQsUunDp74aG9Dc-J2ufA9WleQ1syUY4lKummlYZIlD8YaZySh0C04PT-BIk_ROVdkOCa6uwpt1_/s1600-h/1st+honey.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaBjMPYtn2Or3mJQz1_cGC-PE4bKxEBFrBNTr1glkE2172t-RJwmluXGRnQsUunDp74aG9Dc-J2ufA9WleQ1syUY4lKummlYZIlD8YaZySh0C04PT-BIk_ROVdkOCa6uwpt1_/s400/1st+honey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330978280165914930" border="0" /></a><br />Our first crop of honey. We nicked one frame off them - it was almost all capped, we couldnt wait to see what our girls had produced. Its lovely and dark and tasty we cut the comb up into chunks and put a bit into little jars for friends and family but kept most of it ourselves.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-57120912403664056302009-04-01T12:14:00.003+13:002009-04-01T12:23:32.677+13:00Where's it gone?'Cos there were a few things I felt compelled to post that were not really to do with the Family news I've made a new blog.<br />There will be strange, exciting and interesting content, sometimes disturbing and sometimes just silly or occasionally maybe even boring.<br />Always worth a look though!<br />Link on the Left 'Kerrys Blog'<br />the URL is http://thatsortofthing.blogspot.com/ because there will always be 'that sort of thing' around whether we like it or not. Hence a couple of posts have moved house, Toast and the MFB song for example.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-78103615927847956012009-03-23T13:18:00.005+13:002009-03-23T13:33:51.677+13:001.5m long Robot Carp, Wicked!<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gSibkb6aKHM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gSibkb6aKHM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />LONDON (Reuters) - Robot fish developed by British scientists are to be released into the sea off north Spain to detect pollution.<br /><br />If next year's trial of the first five robotic fish in the northern Spanish port of Gijon is successful, the team hopes they will be used in rivers, lakes and seas across the world.<br /><br />The carp-shaped robots, costing 20,000 pounds apiece, mimic the movement of real fish and are equipped with chemical sensors to sniff out potentially hazardous pollutants, such as leaks from vessels or underwater pipelines.<br /><br />They will transmit the information back to shore using Wi-Fi technology.<br /><br />Unlike earlier robotic fish, which needed remote controls, they will be able to navigate independently without any human interaction.<br /><br />Rory Doyle, senior research scientist at engineering company BMT Group, which developed the robot fish with researchers at Essex University, said there were good reasons for making a fish-shaped robot, rather than a conventional mini-submarine.<br /><br />"In using robotic fish we are building on a design created by hundreds of millions of years' worth of evolution which is incredibly energy efficient," he said.<br /><br />"This efficiency is something we need to ensure that our pollution detection sensors can navigate in the underwater environment for hours on end."<br /><br />The robot fish will be 1.5 meters (nearly 5 feet) long -- roughly the size of a seal.<br /><br />(Reporting by Ben Hirschler, editing by Tim Pearce)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSHVEE_4XdwJsdW4Er2FyJ2zM-kMZPn93UaOT3lr9ofS6u9PJ2P1ltsWTqt0hyoRGMaVWF5iHZr1l3pv3TyYoDxR9y2q-7EkJJKzoI5H52RUrAtM-tshPrOwX3Y1xkqOP2J98/s1600-h/carp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSHVEE_4XdwJsdW4Er2FyJ2zM-kMZPn93UaOT3lr9ofS6u9PJ2P1ltsWTqt0hyoRGMaVWF5iHZr1l3pv3TyYoDxR9y2q-7EkJJKzoI5H52RUrAtM-tshPrOwX3Y1xkqOP2J98/s400/carp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316174281165409586" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-45603706867590555882009-03-09T11:59:00.001+13:002009-03-09T12:17:51.098+13:00Happy Birthday Charles Darwin - 200 this year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_VxG4SiE_w6HL3r1GdRZ6hNptPfK8iyjaOGCWIQVflxftFMQdnEVcCbeOErm5B_P0PEk6D_bXV7ZaAhfToKKcvGkCtiXJ0qp_ATrvLXnI6RHcRQoT2FYj5D9-ly3Pfz09WAd/s1600-h/ACFQGZUGx.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 75px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_VxG4SiE_w6HL3r1GdRZ6hNptPfK8iyjaOGCWIQVflxftFMQdnEVcCbeOErm5B_P0PEk6D_bXV7ZaAhfToKKcvGkCtiXJ0qp_ATrvLXnI6RHcRQoT2FYj5D9-ly3Pfz09WAd/s320/ACFQGZUGx.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310960073445004226" border="0" /></a><br />In celebration of this event I tracked down some Darwin Fish Car Decals and actually sold more at work here than I did on Trade-Me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-29131233306421380742009-01-17T22:42:00.003+13:002009-01-17T22:48:43.392+13:00Our Bees<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnkpIgSQ7W-bHN3c7JZ7inhe2vNwQoEfKairp9RZcGgwRNaOI5Lq_WVfKdt4SOhWiZ0WLyaLFuJI7w73wscbdAKqG69CzjOmwyjwILKIArYyUpTgykKkw_ijJVVSDdsHlQx78/s1600-h/Bee+04.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnkpIgSQ7W-bHN3c7JZ7inhe2vNwQoEfKairp9RZcGgwRNaOI5Lq_WVfKdt4SOhWiZ0WLyaLFuJI7w73wscbdAKqG69CzjOmwyjwILKIArYyUpTgykKkw_ijJVVSDdsHlQx78/s320/Bee+04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292197140440970866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdCVd19ZZRdortUMPFGSKbe2XRZ_jf10jSgQwREq18_V_0SYMoxiDgnP8WCAQPMM5FzPqR_NPU8o9aVLGb-8O9TtT8On4Ha6KsxLorle3gNiJjr6zeIzQLnU_8W0gPE5iCQui/s1600-h/Hive+01.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdCVd19ZZRdortUMPFGSKbe2XRZ_jf10jSgQwREq18_V_0SYMoxiDgnP8WCAQPMM5FzPqR_NPU8o9aVLGb-8O9TtT8On4Ha6KsxLorle3gNiJjr6zeIzQLnU_8W0gPE5iCQui/s320/Hive+01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292196314068400562" border="0" /></a><br />Are lovely - I could sit and watch them all day.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-60980519325862036192009-01-11T12:02:00.003+13:002009-01-11T12:39:41.793+13:00The Latest Thing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB98Sb7ZOD-MySo_VkH9hRb8-9nGQifCO0wdTOlgjQ-2fxcuIzB6N9ah5nn809A0atQKQlzzWKD34wdlj97EOXnj3TBnWA8GW5OB7l6Br-5Inc6hRPGf1SIxNURUPTfCvO7zND/s1600-h/DSCN6624-bee-close_1200x1200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB98Sb7ZOD-MySo_VkH9hRb8-9nGQifCO0wdTOlgjQ-2fxcuIzB6N9ah5nn809A0atQKQlzzWKD34wdlj97EOXnj3TBnWA8GW5OB7l6Br-5Inc6hRPGf1SIxNURUPTfCvO7zND/s320/DSCN6624-bee-close_1200x1200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289812789491223074" border="0" /></a><br />Bees.<br />Any keen Dr Who fan will be aware that bees are disappearing. No-one actually knows why, there are plenty of theories, Cellphones, Temperature change, Disease, Mites, Poor pollen quality or pollen and nectar scarcity. (http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15572)<br />Then we saw an episode of Hugh Fearnley-Whitingsall's 'Spring at River Cottage' in which he was talking about bees and in particular comparing honey produced by bees from Hackney in very built up east London to the honey he produces in the middle of Rural Dorset. I had never imagined that keeping a beehive in your back garden, or on the garage roof in suburbia was an option.<br />(Credit to the photographer - I stole this photo from another blog - http://williams-bees.blogspot.com/ I thought it was too good not to. I noticed he hasn't updated it for a long time.)<br />That got us thinking... and now, several months, lots of books and websites and few Bee Club meetings later there is a hive ready for us to pick up from Bucklands Beach.<br />The Question is, 'Are we ready for the bees?'<br />Its exciting and a bit scary. The Hive we will be getting is a new colony with a new Queen so there aren't that many of them at the moment and we probably won't get honey from them this year, we may even have to feed them if they can't get themselves sorted out before winter and the nectar slows right down or stops flowing.<br />Since starting to read about bees I am totally fascinated by the way they all work together in the hive, collecting pollen, nectar, propolis and water for their community. The way they communicate, keep house, what affects their moods.<br />The thing I'm looking forward to most is watching them....that's right just sitting and watching them come and go, the guards on the door, bees fanning to keep cool and waft the pheromone smell of their hive out to the foragers so they can find their way homeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-17001802126374519932009-01-11T10:15:00.005+13:002009-01-11T11:50:36.213+13:00Today's Rant<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf5jQ6Qj0GpqF81VLaoXFDLQK37fPqkCjpoNuMcHgqT7L7gASjIP6qHHrjPzJSYQt-4DaEowFMMHEsGJVc3WBzoPsYO4RUmQ9gxoMXvrPQKV7YL_Uuy9Gk9YR-8MHmyz9x1i-/s1600-h/light-bulb-ban.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf5jQ6Qj0GpqF81VLaoXFDLQK37fPqkCjpoNuMcHgqT7L7gASjIP6qHHrjPzJSYQt-4DaEowFMMHEsGJVc3WBzoPsYO4RUmQ9gxoMXvrPQKV7YL_Uuy9Gk9YR-8MHmyz9x1i-/s320/light-bulb-ban.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289791932301095698" /></a><br />Sustainability - the new buzzword in this part of the world, - Kiwis aren't that good at actually doing it, it would seem they perceive their country as being 'Clean Green 100% Pure,' etc. etc. so obviously they don't need to do anything extra or different to make it that way. <br /><br />Oh yes - we all do recycling, using our own bags at the supermarket and turn lights off when we remember. But actually doing a little bit more than that can seem so hard. Other countries appear to be making more of an issue of it that we are here. <br />It doesn't help that the National Party got voted in which means the Greens have a very small say in matters now. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickAdJK76YYrErXFI8LTMZazSb-5728Q8U_nS-JqSusq2WlLXdOr06mHotETq_FjMqeTTZbIEIp_3oI8tyy7IUI7Vf0-3SVjTvYiaqEY_XhTGWdLsiW5ouMECs-dOaShgQ3WSG/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickAdJK76YYrErXFI8LTMZazSb-5728Q8U_nS-JqSusq2WlLXdOr06mHotETq_FjMqeTTZbIEIp_3oI8tyy7IUI7Vf0-3SVjTvYiaqEY_XhTGWdLsiW5ouMECs-dOaShgQ3WSG/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289801004513394210" /></a><br />It also doesn't help that the new Minister of Energy and Resources, The Hon Gerry Brownlee, has made a few dodgy decisions already - reversing the plan to ban incandescent light bulbs and tabling a bill that would repeal the decision to force oil companies to sell a certain proportion of Bio fuel.<br />Hmmm we'll see, I wonder if he will ever get around to replying to my email.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-65676739662002160642009-01-11T09:44:00.003+13:002009-01-11T12:43:13.983+13:00Days 2-22 i.e Rest of the worldIts probably easiest to check out our Flikr pages for the photos and random comments for the rest of the tour..<br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/24462004@N07/<br />chur.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-54948585384549034032008-11-02T17:41:00.003+13:002008-11-02T17:57:57.608+13:00Day 1 - Auckland to LondonI love Singapore Airlines.<br />Shame it was the 12 hour overnighter, personal entertainment thingies, TV and films to watch, video games to play decent food (for airline food)it was tough getting to sleep - we kept waking up thinking we were nearly there but it was only an hour or 2 at a time. :(<br />I love Singapore Airport.<br />Orchid Gardens, Free massage chairs, Mythbusters on the telly, Free internet terminals. All this for a 2 hour stopover.<br />Next it was on to London via Munich. Lufthansa all the way (Boo) another 1ong flight - 13 hours this time one of those old fashioned planes (Airbus) with the central telly that drops down and you have to watch the films they put on for you - Ryan wasn't tall enough to see the TV without lots of cushions so the ipod full of AC/DC and Monty Python came into play.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-76407708376829268482008-11-01T13:59:00.010+13:002008-11-02T14:43:43.409+13:00World Tour Sept /Oct 08Or should I say Whirlwind tour.... <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tour Dates</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">September</span><br />19 Auckland > Singapore<br />20 Singapore > Munich > London<br />21 Stanwell<br />22 Stanwell<br />23 Stanwell<br />24 London > East Grinstead<br />25 Emsworth<br />26 Stonehenge > Ilfracombe<br />27 Ilfracombe, Devon<br />28 Ilfracombe, Devon<br />29 Ringwood, Hampshire<br />30 Bucklers Hard > Luton<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">October</span><br />1 Kirstead, Norfolk<br />2 Kirstead, Norfolk<br />3 Stanwell<br />4 London > Split<br />5 Trogir > Solta<br />6 Solta > Ciovo<br />7 Ciovo > Drvenik<br />8 Drvenik > Trogir<br />9 Split > Munich > Los Angeles<br />10 Disneyland<br />11 Leave Los Angeles 2230<br />12 Lost a day - oooh spooky!!!<br />13 Arr Auckland 0700<br /><br /><br /><br />We left Auckland International Airport at midnight or thereabouts on the 19 Sept flying Singapore airlines to Singapore.<br />After all the rushing around,last minute buying of iPod (Ryans new traveling companion) and NZ souvenirs for friends and family in the UK,and working out what to pack for <br /><br />1. UK in Autumn<br />2. Sailing in Croatia<br />3. 2 days in Disneyland<br /><br />It was a real relief to be sat on the plane as we took off.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-14166736264523804652007-07-29T11:08:00.000+12:002007-09-20T21:52:31.951+12:00$15 Dinners Round 2 Sat 30th June<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRO5PIqwec7NctI-Sn7eLYmELveEGjPPYyjpPQ_fM4hYrae0staAfANJI2W3tIcChL642hmW4rfLWr5GDzBhOSGHVymS_xVjeXEg_muZ0eC7Pvo2oLDqwIeyB_wcYk1IQ6gZXK/s1600-h/Untitled.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRO5PIqwec7NctI-Sn7eLYmELveEGjPPYyjpPQ_fM4hYrae0staAfANJI2W3tIcChL642hmW4rfLWr5GDzBhOSGHVymS_xVjeXEg_muZ0eC7Pvo2oLDqwIeyB_wcYk1IQ6gZXK/s320/Untitled.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092393986984699938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Kerry Buying For Phil and Ryan.<br /><br />Terahiki fillets<br />Clams<br />Chicken livers<br />Kiwi Fruit<br />Parsnips<br />Short grain rice<br />Tomatoes<br />Marshmallows<br /><br /><br />As before there was plenty of 'what the hell will I do with that?', 'why did you buy this?' etc, etc, but before long Phil was searching the interweb for recipes and inspiration and came up with this impressive Menu.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Kiwifruit Vodka Collins<br />Winter Vegetable Chowder<br />Warm Chicken Liver Salad<br />Seafood Paella<br />Fresh Fruit Salad<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">photos of the food plus Phils face as he was trying to prepare the chicken livers!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSoOzPrlJRf5A7QVl8ioYxsO_AwUYeW2fxpwoeWUvDmLoq1jmh9aJWOYQng2m5Ei9EA3_cuLMKEbgeFIQef1LCav7p8Oqa0s8Rx8YafrD9wKWDV9949LSBqOg9HPYlfHIFMVV/s1600-h/Picture+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 458px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSoOzPrlJRf5A7QVl8ioYxsO_AwUYeW2fxpwoeWUvDmLoq1jmh9aJWOYQng2m5Ei9EA3_cuLMKEbgeFIQef1LCav7p8Oqa0s8Rx8YafrD9wKWDV9949LSBqOg9HPYlfHIFMVV/s320/Picture+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092406498224433202" border="0" /></a>A Pint of Kiwifruit Vodak Collins for my mate, and some delicous Vegetable Chowder.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH11y_Po3_g3fpPiuJCpt-RmkpYuXVpYNaqs6LI8HJVvROWMBC1YcGxbhVcPk5QhQ4JVY-aqurV-uTQyGjpSsxC3YiQITwBjBJaanX2sZyrWQPRJYS5ytQ_pbrLP017CNqrGYZ/s1600-h/Picture+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 449px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH11y_Po3_g3fpPiuJCpt-RmkpYuXVpYNaqs6LI8HJVvROWMBC1YcGxbhVcPk5QhQ4JVY-aqurV-uTQyGjpSsxC3YiQITwBjBJaanX2sZyrWQPRJYS5ytQ_pbrLP017CNqrGYZ/s320/Picture+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092408426664749122" border="0" /></a><br />'Chicken Liver Face' and the finished article mmMMmmmmm!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEkcrFZch_7RoBmWxWFX9xuD3SHn_N4ot4zFd_bF7Y6A57yBRCT6P3zPjJOxV6Jy181uP73-JwmxPXXLpiZHQdwGhJ3l8WEKBImD71iPO_vY3plw39DUkn4gaTfHpNsSL5IdX/s1600-h/Picture+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 438px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEkcrFZch_7RoBmWxWFX9xuD3SHn_N4ot4zFd_bF7Y6A57yBRCT6P3zPjJOxV6Jy181uP73-JwmxPXXLpiZHQdwGhJ3l8WEKBImD71iPO_vY3plw39DUkn4gaTfHpNsSL5IdX/s320/Picture+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092409556241147986" border="0" /></a><br />Seafood Paella & Fresh Fruit Salad with a piece of Whittakers Mocha dark Chocolate to garnish!<br /><br />Next up will be Phil and Ryan buying for Paul and Sebastian.........<br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-77686443829102475692007-07-29T09:05:00.001+12:002007-07-29T10:10:39.045+12:00Winter 2007 $15 dinner series<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsQShyMZCb35L02xQnyOns579TMI1UvYUbKaXtF-YIkcs73bYZXdLj3eWE26vWHLp2RIumTLCYjO9CM6JhwpFCzMJqdIgj37y8eNtN55o8Si3AhNB6189w8sswHgestvVWEF9/s1600-h/Image012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsQShyMZCb35L02xQnyOns579TMI1UvYUbKaXtF-YIkcs73bYZXdLj3eWE26vWHLp2RIumTLCYjO9CM6JhwpFCzMJqdIgj37y8eNtN55o8Si3AhNB6189w8sswHgestvVWEF9/s320/Image012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092360207066916850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Round 1. Saturday 2 June<br /><br /></span>Paul and Sebastian buying for Kirsty.<br />The bag included:-<br />Beef Sandwich Steak<br />Smoked Ruby Fish<br />Green Peppers<br />A Bag of Noodles<br />B0k Choi<br />a Persimmon<br />and a Coconut<br /><br />He was being quite kind on her as it was their Wedding Anniversary.......<br /><br />Once the Victim has been given their bag of goodies there are usually a lot of menu suggestions from the audience who now in turn have become victims as they will have to eat whatever is prepared for them.<br />After a bit of internet research and general discussion our Menu was presented to us:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Chilled Coconut Milk, Vodka and Lime Shots<br />Sticky Sesame Beef and Tempura Vegetables with assorted Dips<br />Thai Fishcakes with Salad and Dips (Love those dips!)<br />Beef Noodle Soup<br />Persimon and Coconut Pudding Flambe<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There you go...5 Courses for 4 people for $15.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There are only a couple of photos from that night as we weren't prepared fully, it being the first event in over a year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSgiaatGrenwfbnJFD36lk3KAvB8mfhX90zzWBJYSFJdVwFqlwmm8FGqqO-SBiOYh5KimJKCoYhEkcUcPC34DQNoirWrDqfcGExMfaJS_txf6eRRTqUW0Ejn_xsi-iQ-lDyFr/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSgiaatGrenwfbnJFD36lk3KAvB8mfhX90zzWBJYSFJdVwFqlwmm8FGqqO-SBiOYh5KimJKCoYhEkcUcPC34DQNoirWrDqfcGExMfaJS_txf6eRRTqUW0Ejn_xsi-iQ-lDyFr/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092372860040570882" border="0" /></a>Here we have the Sticky Beef and Battered Veggies followed by the Coconut and Persimon Pudding covered in Brandy and ignited!<br /><br />Next up, Kerry buying For Phil and Ryan - Watch this space...<br /></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-90132563385220462602007-06-30T09:25:00.000+12:002007-06-30T10:01:47.946+12:00Hello WorldI cant believe its been that long since I posted something, come back after a year and its all changed - blogspot now run by Google!<br />Google are taking over the world, confirmation right here folks.<br />Looking at the history of the blog it would appear that its very much a winter sport, it rains a lot here in NZ in the winter so we just don't do going outside very much.<br />Another winter sport that we have resurrected after an absence of a year is the $15 Dinner series normally coincides with the Rugby season, although this year it also coincides with the Americas Cup, as I write this we have just lost the 5th race to Alinghi cos a sail blew out on the Black Boat and they cocked up getting the new one up. Most of New Zealand are tired from staying up all night or waking up in the night to watch the racing live (its starts at 1am here!) I prefer to set the TV in the bedroom to wake me up at 7am and have it on while I get ready for work - they show the highlights from 7-8am on the morning after a race.<br /><br />$15 Dinners -<br />We draw names out of the hat - Paul, Kirsty, Phil and Myself.<br />you have to spend $15 or as close to as possible on a carrier bag (or 2) of random grocery articles for your victim (whose name you drew out of the hat) and they then have to produce a meal with at least 3 courses for the four of us. We normally have one alcohol course (I prefer to get that one out early on in the proceedings so people don't care (or know) what they are eating later on!<br />This year the boys have teamed up with their Dads to buy and cook so tonight I am buying for Phil and Ryan. Paul, Kirsty and Sebastian will be turning up later armed with sleeping bags, duvets, toothbrushes and beer.<br />We have a full evening planned - drinking, cooking, 1st Bledisloe Cup Game (Wallabies/All Blacks in Australia), drinking, eating, drinking, Americas Cup race 6, drinking and bed.<br /><br />I will take photos and upload them tomorrow when we surface of the evenings events and food.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25506154.post-1149468578517908612006-06-05T12:24:00.000+12:002006-06-05T12:52:40.730+12:00'The Hurricanes Handbag Incident'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6856/2666/1600/22310224_full.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6856/2666/320/22310224_full.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Not news to Kiwis, I know but worth a mention for the rest of the world.<br />After the Super 14 Rugby Final in the fog - (see previous post) the defeated Hurricanes went out for a quiet beer or two, some of them ending up at the Jolly Poacher at 7.30 in the morning. Chris Masoe apparently tripped over someones outstreched leg, thought they were doing it on purpose so he punched the chap! Tana Umaga tried to teach Chris a lesson in a friendly sort of a way by picking up the nearest thing thing he could find and belting Chris over the head with it ! - better than using his fist I would say. It was a handbag belonging to a girl who happened to be sitting at the bar minding her own business.<br />You can imagine the press after that - 'Handbags at Dawn' etc etc.<br />When the girl whose handbag had been used discovered that her cellphone had been smashed in the attack she got a bit upset so the Hurricanes Management offered to pay for it.<br />One of her friends got the idea of auctioning the bag and cellphone on our wonderful online auction site 'Trade-me' thinking someone might be interested in the rugby memorabilia angle.<br /><br />Well it went ballistic - bigger than the 'dophin in a swimming pool' auction or the 'Time Machine auction'<br />See details here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Sports-memorabilia/Rugby/Other/auction-58555525.htm<br />finally sold for $22,750.00!!! after causing so much web traffic the the Trade-Me servers apparently crashed.<br /><br />There you go, thats what we do here for Entertainment!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908039927037785840noreply@blogger.com0