cinimon01

[cinimon01]

Week 5 blog log of living on a boat.

Sitting around the table of knowledge.

Saturday the 27th of April:

After our little mishap with the out board motor we had a day of R and R but we did go ashore to get a few supplies. At Russell, there is a large supermarket called '4 Square'. I thought the name was clever as it insinuates 4 square meals a day, where as most people only have 3. They stock most things, a small selection of fresh fruit and veg, some meats, plenty of dairy and a bottle shop with a good selection.

So our routine is to tie up the dinghy at the wharf, and take rubbish ashore and dispose in bins on the main drag. Then off to shop. Now this day we bought a few extra things and we had 3 full bags of groceries. We opt to push the trolley to the wharf and then unload into the boat and I push it back.....as I like to get as much walking in as possible when ashore. Zoom back to the boat, and I have mastered getting off with rope in hand to tie her up and then David hands me the shopping. Only this time as I lent over to get the bags, my reading glasses fell off my T shirt neck....where I wear them so I can read things on labels.

Our second donation to the water gods, the first being David's watch when tying up in Opua Marina, his watch band broke and fell into the abis. So now king Neptune can read small print and tell the time.

28th April 2024:

Back to Opua Marina today to meet with some friends, do some washing and buy a fishing rod. We have finally mastered getting into the Marina and into a berth safely and without too much stress. We go in on a slack tide, which is one hour either side of a high or low tide. Then there is nothing to push you around except wind and this day was calm and still. Steering with engines' only and not using the wheel is something the harbour master suggested last time and it works well. We got close and my nerves kicked in so I called out to our friend Jerry, in the berth next to ours and he came out to catch a line. So did 2 other friendly neighbours, so I was relieved when we safely tied up and no boats were hurt. Yay!

Table of knowledge, Opua Cruising club.

This group of fellows are our neighbours on wharf H at the marina. Bryce next to David has a 52ft Fountaine Pajot, then Duke in the yellow shirt has a 38 ft Lagoon, Tom has a 42 ft mono hull and Jerry has an Antares 45. So a wealth of experience and knowledge over dinner and a beer and a wine was so worthwhile. Tom and Jerry, ha ha and their partners and crew, Bryce and his family and Duke are all leaving soon to join a rally to Fiji. We will go next year but they have already helped us with small questions about battery storage and the electrical circuits on the boat. I think the boys get so excited as they all have the same toy, aka a boat, and they can chat and share and know exactly what you are explaining when you talk about an alarm going off, or the windlass not working. As I said, you meet a better type of bum at a marina.

At Burnsco, (same as BCF in Auz), David bought a you-bute fishing rod on special with all the bits and bobs and I got a $50 childrens rod that I was told I could catch a snapper with. That's all I wanted.

Next day we re fuelled at the Marina on a slack tide. It was our first time fuelling up in Mai Tai. She is so big and floaty, and any wind can blow her around. We had the harbour master Mark come and help and just as well as we were blown off the wharf while fuelling. All was OK and he helped pull us in.

4th May 2024: We were off on an adventure to Mosquito Bay where we were told there is an excellent chance of catching a fish. Gary, the owner of the fish and tackle shop in Russell told us to use this bait and you will catch a snapper. So I thought he would produce a small packet of prawns as bait, but no. He handed us 2 very large frozen mullet. Just chop a bit off and put the leathery skin piece on the hook and away you go.

So we found a beautiful spot on a calm, blue, forever sky day. We passed fairy penguins and lots of sea birds before we baited our hooks and let loose into the bay.

I never profess to be great at anything although I'm good at somethings and I would not have included fishing as one of my skills. But within 4 minutes of throwing my line in I caught a fish, then another and another. I caught a total of 6 fish on my $50 childrens rod and David caught ZERO. Ha Ha. Because of his injured finger, I un hooked the first 5 as they were Kahawai, which need to be bled before eating and we were told they are very messy. So I threw them all back and they swam away healthy but with a new piercing in their lip. Then I was out to catch a snapper. I said if we don't catch a snapper we would go and we will have sausages for dinner. Well well well. I caught the biggest snapper I have ever seen. 62cm.

I said thankyou for your life Sammy snapper and did the scaling, gutting and filleting all on my own. Then I froze half and we had fresh snapper for dinner, that I cooked. WOW talk about a first time day.

With my excitement overflowing, we motored to Army Bay and dropped the anchor and I went for a swim. The water was icy but refreshing after all that fish guts and scales flying everywhere. It was a great day and we really enjoyed the boat. This is what its all about. Finding out that you can do things you never thought you would. The thrill of a first time catch, clean and cook. I'm sure there will be plenty more.

Until next week.

#snapper catch #60 somethings on a boat

[cinimon01]

Riding the contentment wave on our own boat.

.....and then things happen that you didn't plan for.

22nd April 2024: Planning day to see if we should go out to the Bay of Islands and just stay for a few nights. We saw that the wind was great today and practically non existent for the rest of the week, so we untied our ropes and let loose into the beautiful bay. The winds were just enough to let us cruise at 5 to 6 knots, but Mai Tai has a mind of her own and turned into the wind on several occasions making me panic and David wonder why she was not steering where we wanted her to go.

So we sailed around in circles for a while and then went back to the mooring, then into the town of Russell for pizza.

23rd April 2024: Today we are going out into the wild blue Bay of Islands for a few days. We first motored to the fuelling dock and re fuelled 7X20 litre diesel containers. This was tricksy as they took up a lot of room in the dinghy and then we had to get on too. We made it back safe and unleashed Mai Tai and motored out towards Army Bay.

No wind as forecast so we had a relaxing time motoring. While I was on the dolphin seat looking for any signs of wildlife, David saw a 3 meter bottle nose dolphin just next to the helm. He called out and I just saw him as he went for a dive. He was huge.

Once anchored, we went ashore and had a walk up to the look out and a great view of the bay and Mai Tai. It was a tad worm at the beach so when we got back I went for my first swim. It was chilly but I just love the water. What a great day.

24th April 2024: Our anchor held all night so I was grateful for that. We went ashore for some more exploring and discovered another part of the bay. Walked to the top and saw some squatters in tents on the side of the hill. But the bird life is something else.

On our way back disaster struck. David was letting the outboard motor down off the lift and it fell back and caught his finger. I saw by the look on his face as he said, "I need help", it was serious. I expected the whole finger to be inside the clamp. Shit, so I got out and helped him lift the engine off his hand. I saw it was still attached so that was a good thing. He said, I'm alright just caught my finger. So we got it the dinghy and started back for the boat. So this little catch on his finger started to leak blood everywhere all over the boat. I handed him a cloth shopping bag to wrap around it and quell the bleeding. It helped till we got back to Mai Tai and I had a proper look. David caught his right index finger in the clamp and it tore through the fleshy part, missing the tendon and bone by millimetres.

This needed stitching. I applied first aid, cleaning, stopped the bleeding and wrapped his hand up until a doctor could see it.

Now we had the job of getting back to Russell from Army Bay. I called a cab and booked him in for,,,,of all days, Anzac Day. Then planned to get us back to Russell. Pulled up the anchor, and motored back fine. Picked up our mooring and relaxed.

Get a boat they said, It will be fun they said.

25th April 2024:

Anzac day for us this year was a little different. We drove the dinghy to the wharf, caught the Russell ferry to Paihia and met Geoff, our taxi driver. He was wearing a Trump hat saying make America great again and he was a pommy. He drove us to Kawa Kawa Hospital where, I was happy to see no one else around. The doctors made quick work of applying 7 stitches and checking the tendon. They were fantastic and so helpful. I have been in a few emergency rooms with the kids and David and the staff here were great. I even scored a few extra bandages and first aid equipment to replenish what I used for David's hand. All done and back to Paihia for brunch. We were both exhausted so went back to Russell and back to Mai Tai. We did go to the pub later to have dinner and watch a dismal game by the dragons. But that was it.

Lest we forget.

So after a busy few days I have found that living on a boat is no different to living in a house. Shit happens and you deal with it. Make the most of your time while you can and count your lucky stars and fingers if all of your days go to plan.

#accidents on boats #life on a boat #60 somethings on a boat

[cinimon01]

You meet a better sort of bum in a marina.

1st of April 2024: I know, April fools day. However it was the day we chose to start to live on board our new boat. We had meticulously packed so we each had 30kg, as allowed by Qantas. This process took into account the things already on board, those we may need, those things we just wanted to take whether we needed them or not and those things we want to have just in case. Another 3 hour flight and 3 hour car ride. We hired a car for a week to be able to get to all of the shops and buy all of the stuff we would need. Mainly food and gas and fuel.

3rd April 2024: Paid a visit to customs as our customs form stated we were able to stay in New Zealand on Mai Tai until June 2024. We wanted to stay for the allotted 2 years each boat receives when they first arrive, but somewhere in the purchase this was changed to June. So we started the process at customs. We found out that having a foreign boat in New Zealand allowed us to avoid all taxes on any purchases. Wow so if we needed a new freezer @ $2500 NZ we would get $375 off. Not too shabby.

5th April 2024: Went to my first yoga class in Opua. So close to the Marina, I just walked about 10 minutes and the community hall was next to the car ferry. Great view of the BOI from the front door. Great class run by a lovely lady called Ines who was selling bananas from her tree.

We had to sort out our gas cylinders as they were foreign and we couldn't get them filled here in NZ. They didn't meet their high standard but fit perfectly into our cubby hole for cylinders in the cock pit. So on the last day before we returned the car we drove to Keri Keri where a cylinder servicing centre was only too happy to help. They said the cylinders were aluminium and worth about $400 each. They would be good for a few more years yet. Great news as we were thinking of just getting new ones. Back to Whangarie delivered the car, taxi to bus station, bus back to Opua, walk down the hill and now we are truly living on a boat without any other form of transport.

On the morning of the 5th our good friends from Bali were here on a cruise and we were able to pick them up and bring them to the boat. Still no sailing as we were waiting for a sail track installation. It was great to welcome aboard our first guests and they loved the boat. Ironically, they will be back next week on a different cruise, so we will see them again and go sailing.

While we we in Whangarie, the good guys from New Zealand Yacht Services came to check everything was ready for the sail track install. It just happened that they were able to get the boom off easily, remove the old track easily and so they decided to install the new track. We weren't even there. Job done and now we can go sailing.

11th April 2024: Extreme weather conditions saw us stuck on board for nearly 2 days and during the night the font hatch in the main cabin leaked. My pillow and mattress was wet and my enthusiasm dampened. So since we bought the boat, the sail track needed replacing, the gennaker was torn to shreds so a new one was ordered, the helm clutch break knob fell off and had to be repaired and replaced and now the hatch leaked. Luckily the boat came with spares and David re installed a new one and its water proof! yay!

15th April 2024: Peter and Diana arrived and we took off. We stretched our sails into nearly zero wind and had a fun day trying to make Mai Tai go without much help from the westerly. We picked up a mooring for $600 for 6 weeks in Kororareka bay, just off Russell old town. Beautiful spot.

18th April 2024: Went to yoga in Russell. First time David drove me to shore in the tender and went for a walk while I made new acquaintance with my muscles. Then off to Opua for a Rally meeting. It was extreemly informative and there are about 60 to 70 boats going between May and June. Some are going to Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji and Vanuatu. We are excited to go in 2025, but seriously need to get to know our boat first.

16th April 2024: Yoga again in Opua, washing and we got our yellow customs form! So David bought a fishing rod and some new lines and a custom step we designed so we can easily step up onto the roof when sailing. Looks great. Now we just need some great weather and we are off to explore the Bay Of Islands and catch a fish.

[cinimon01]

Mai Tai experience 2024

Adventures of 60 somethings on board a catamaran.

On the 31st of January 2024, we became the proud owners of a Lagoon 400 2010 model, located in Opua New Zealand.

On the 27th of February, after a few family engagements, we flew to Auckland and drove 3 hours to Opua Marina, gathering some simple supplies on the way. I felt so cold and exhausted when we arrived that I nearly cried at the thought of living on this small, damp and smelly boat for the next 5 years. What had we done, we had a perfectly good life in a house. Why why why?

The next day was better.

28th February 2024, we sorted out a few things and organized a few others. Where to put clothes, towels, and did we have enough. Sheets were on board, but I threw most out as they were thin and barley reuseable. I started a list of things to but for us and the boat to be comfortable and livable for the next…..years?

So first trip in our hire car to Whangarei, (Pronounced Foneray) we found Spotlight, Countdown, Kmart and Bunnings. We loaded up and drove the 1 hour back to Opua.

1st March 2024: Next day we though we would take her for a spin and charge batteries and empty the black water tank, (the wee and poo tank). So we got out to open water and came into the bay of Russell. Lovely little spot but the anchor wouldn’t go down, so I suggested David just drive around and Ill cook breakfast/brunch.

So we did that and headed back to the marina. On our approach, on an outgoing tide, she was hard to handle. The birth spot was big enough for a catamaran but not big enough for us to park in with our limited experience and a tide that wanted to push us where we did not want to go. So I am running around the deck shouting directions to David. More like, “STOP, YOUR GOING TO HIT THE WHARF”. More things like, “Oh what the FUCK, we are going to crash”. Came out of my mouth on several occasions. We had the neighbours, folk from boats near us, on the dock along with the harbor master Shane. He was speaking calmly to David about pulling back and not so heavy on the power, but I don’t think he could hear him over my screaming, “We are going to crash.”

Yes we hit the dock and crushed our port side sugar scoop with an indent of about 25cm long and 10cm deep. Not too much damage to the boat but our self esteem was shattered, and I was a nervous wreck. One of our neighbours from a boat named Scallywag, was on the dock to console us. He had just had a similar experience and the tide pushed him into the bow spirt of another boat punching a hole in the side of his 50 ft catamaran…..Ouch.

2nd March 2024: Olly the previous owner came by and he sorted out the windlass, (anchor) not working problem. He said he cleaned up some loose wiring and maybe some got lost in the process and he unplugged the windlass. Not sure but he got it going and answered a lot of David's questions. We told him about our encounter with the dock and he said, “You know what they say, “You haven’t been around if you haven’t run aground”. I’m not sure if that made me feel better but, there you have it.

3rd March 2024: We gathered up our torn confidence and broken dreams decided we had to get back on the horse….so to speak. So out we went for another attempt at having fun on our new boat. This time we dropped the anchor in Russell, and I just put the kettle on when the afternoon storm that was expected at 1pm came early and interrupted our 10am brunch. So up came the anchor and we headed back to the marina. Before we even arrived my stress levels were off the chart. But we listened to Shane and came in on a slack tide and we managed to berth Mai Tai without incident. This was cause for celebration, so we had a shower and went into Paihia for dinner and a bottle of wine.

8th March 2024: Flew back to Sydney for my 60th birthday cruise on board Celebrity Edge to …..of all places, New Zealand. During this cruise we saw parts of the South Island and the sounds that were absolutely breath taking. The enormity of these places that we could now explore in our own boat! So we decided to skip the Rally to Fiji this year and explore New Zealand for 12 months. Plus we are not experienced enough in operating our boat yet. We need time and some nautical miles before we conquer open water.

#first time cruising #catamarans #sailing retirees #first year on a boat

[cinimon01]

How time flies and circumstances change. This photo is pre pandemic, my last day of yoga on the beach. Farewelling my yoga buddies and now friends for life. Our lease was up and we were headed back to Aus for the wedding of our daughter and a few months at home. Then the world changed......

It started with a text that the Easter show was cancelled. We had been following the news and whay was changing each day, but the Easter Show? Cancelled? That ment somthing serious was coming down. 

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Beach Yoga

[cinimon01]

Beach Yoga in Bali 

I bought a second hand bike from Barb who was closing down her bar....thats another story. So now I had my wheels all I needed was a pump. As soon as we could we purchased a pump for the tyres, that first day was memorable for me. I rode down the street knowing I had to turn off at Smorgas café, down the lane and I was there. I saw John and lucky for me I remembered his name. I picked a place, not to close to the front and not in the middle but to the side where I felt comfortable. As the lesson began, I looked around and felt quite calm and relaxed even though I couldn’t understand one word that was being said by the instructor. I copied every move…or to the best of my ability, and after buckets and buckets of sweat made my towel wet, I lay down for the relaxation time. Looking up I could see the beautiful tree above me silhouetted against the sky. I felt a contentment and overwhelming thankful ness that this should be my life. As a squirrel ran down the tree onto the offering pile at the beach tempol, the group shouted and clapped three time, Sega Oga, Sega Oga, Sega Oga. After which they clapped and laughed. I felt so happy I cried.

[cinimon01]

Sunday, family day. Thanks Corina and Steve for showing us around your Bali.

After the dodging bikes and noisey street that is Canggu, we are now in Calm and serene Sanur. Looking for a home for a year.

#lovethisplace #moviingtobali #retiring

[cinimon01]

Bali heat.

The second you get onto the aerobridge from the air conditioned plane, it hits you. Like walking into a steam room without steam. Like walking into a moist hot closed room with a distinct smell of green smoke that just hangs in the air. It's the Bali smell, it's been the same each time I have visited.

Will I get used to this? Will my body be in a constant state of sweat that I resign to sitting slippery on chairs when wearing a dress? That I leave embarrassing bum marks on wooden chairs......how does one get around this? That eating hot soup creates a drip factor from face to table. Where hair is never worn down and in a constanat fizz state. Where moisturiser in the morning is wiped away by 9.30am?

We were in a swanky warung the other day and ordered meat on a skewer by the gram. Now I'm mostly alright when it comes to working out weight, so when David ordered the 300gm I thought that was way too much and orderdd the 150gm. While waiting we were just dripping with sweat. It was running down my back and even my arms to elbows. Pleasant enough though as we had a cool iced tea and a Bintang.

Then the food came and I just laughed. There was enough meat to feed the entire staff and Im sure they would have liked some. Accompanied by 2 sides it was a meal to remember, along with the heat.

Embrace change and experience all there is of Bali.....including the heat.

#moviingtobali #baliheat #retiringinbali

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[cinimon01]

Canggu

We have arrived in Canggu. The driver that picked us up late on Thursday night did not speak much englishnand I didnt speak any Indonesian sso it was a quiet ride. Once here tired hot and sweaty, we were given a cool drink and asked for the usual passport copy. Then to the villa. Down this paved walkwaY that went down two sets of steps, was this beautiful carved coloured door. It was opened by the concierge and we all stepped onto a small deck that ran along side a 3 x 2 metre pool. It was tiny but big enough to get wet and cool off.

Bed was comfy and the air con nice and cool. We have arrived to look for a place to live in Bali.

#moviingtobali #retiringinbali

[cinimon01]

Letters for later, boxes for shed.

[cinimon01]

Packing

  Packing a life time of memories and trying to cull the ones not that important is hard. It's  hard to let go of the past and move forward into a new life. Sorting and throwing out things that at one time ment a great deal.

We are doing it.....really doing it. I have resigned from Bellfield College and told the fam. It's  now the 5th of January and we fly to Bali to search for a villa on the 17th. I have contacted a friend, through face book and she goes over there quite  a bit. She calls it her other home. We will meet up with her sometime and ask all the important stuff, like phones, doctors, markets and security. 

But now it is a trip down memory lane. We have been in this house for 25 years. Rebecca was two when we moved in. We renovated several times and each time we thought we would move, we found the alternatives too small or too big. Arab rd was our fit and the family have come to know this as their family home.

Pick up an object, do you love it, can you feel the love? Hold it thank it for entering your life and let it go. 

Well I get as far as letting it go into a bag I will give my children or Vinnies. I have been ruthless with diaries and cards. But some letters and messages from mum during our family breakdown period will stay with me. One day I will put them towards the story of us and will need the detailed raw emotion that is held on each page. So these and all of the other precious item that I cannot say good buy to are going to fit into a samll room up stairs. For how many years I dont know. Hopefully the next 8 or so years we can travel and live in others countries.  Live there for months and immerse ourselves in a different place. Not only eat the food but buy the local produce and cook the food in our own place. Go to local events, celebrating their festivals and important dates. 

I have room in my heart and mind to experience all of these things and I am nearly ready to go. I am packing our past into a small room and furniture into the shed. I am saying farewell to my friends of old and hoping  they come to visit. I will miss my family, my beautiful kids and Cleo, but this is a life time experience and it should be embraced. So I will embrace the future and store the past and and to the life adventure.

[cinimon01]

Searching for a real life experience, it's not just holidays, great house, family and friends. Somthing life changing, stepping out of your comfort zone. Helping others, experiencing other cultures, another country. Selling it all and quiting my job. Moving with the uncertainty of anything other than it's another day in your life and you should live it to the full. Just do it I always say. Dont't talk about it, don't wish it to happen. JUST DO IT. 

We are going to live in Bali for 2 years. OMG I'm so excited!

[cinimon01]

Alaska, I want to go again!

[cinimon01]

My creases can tell a story,

Of life lived, of opportunities lost, and of love.

The smile lines have been earned,

Watching my children grow, Oh how they can make me laugh.

The fun and parties…..So many and more to come.

The hard work, the days in the sun, building a kindergarten, digging a sand pit, standing on a station waiting for bad guys, looking up at a building that needs a sign, Yes my creases tell me I have had a good life.

My husband loves me with my creases. He tells me often. We have shared the making of my creases and I’m sure we will share in the making of plenty more.

Some were made from sadness, loss and grief. Buts that’s life, isn’t it?

The wheels turn, the pages turn, the children grow and move away, you watch as your family age with you. Buts that’s life, that’s how we get our creases.

I love my creases!

Some people did not live to get creases, or most of theirs came from sadness.

I’m fortunate that most of mine came from happiness, and I’m ready to keep adding to my stick pile of happy creases.

 Join me!

[cinimon01]

Wow I have creases!

Creases on my face, on my chest and even on my legs.

When did this happen?

I was just going about my life, when one day I woke up and looked in the mirror and shock horror, I was old!