Great Barrier,
Party, and Prizes
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After
the frenetic and fairly exhausting period of the Round North Island Race
(RNI), we were determined to have a quieter spell of local cruising. Despite
a less than encouraging experience of Easter at Great Barrier Island in 2000,
we headed back for what proved an altogether more pleasant time. The weather
was delightful and the anchorages relatively uncrowded. We met up with Philip
Yates and Jenni Peddie, who we had got to know in the Bay of Islands. If such
a thing were possible, Philip is an even more enthusiastic advocate of
S&S designs then we are. He has been reduced to motoring now but remains
one of Olin’s greatest fans. |
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In
company, we hiked up to the Kauri dam on the western slopes of Mount Hobson.
These dams are a tribute to 19th century rustic ingenuity,
creating a pool for felled timber above the dam, which is then suddenly
released by a ‘trigger’, allowing the timber to be carried down stream to the
sea, for collection, sawing and shipment. Of course beavers have worked out
how to do much the same thing eons ago, but that is beside the point. On
impulse we decided to carry on up the summit of Mount Hobson, accompanied by
Jenni. We remembered that there were a lot of carefully manufactured steps
toward the top. This time we kept count and though the sum varied with the
counter, the average was around 1000. The pains in our knees confirmed this
total. |
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After
several peaceful days in anchorages on Great Barrier, we made an equally
peaceful passage past Channel Island, off Cape Colville, where it so often
blows a gale – except when we are racing past it. The hills of the Coromandel
Peninsula led south to Te Kouma Harbour and thence back to Waiheke Island and
Auckland. |
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Looking
around for an excuse to throw a party, we decided that ‘Sunstone’ should
really be the venue for a QLD (Quiet Little Drink) for the RNI competitors.
We were blessed with fine weather and a very good turn-out, including David
Howie of crew.org, who was particularly welcome as he brought along several
bottles of his sponsors product – Mount Gay Rum. Several members of the SSANZ
committee also attended, including Race Director David Cooke, President Brian
Murray and Chairman Cameron Thorpe. Also in attendance were younger potential
crew members. |
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In
April and May we suffered an embarrassment of riches. Even before the RNI we
had been informed that we were to be honoured by the Ocean Cruising Club
(OCC) with the Barton Cup, its award for the most meritorious voyage that
year. Though the timing was not ideal, we felt that at least one of us should
be in London to receive the Cup. Vicky was despatched, receiving the award
from Mary Barton, wife of Humphrey Barton, the founder of the OCC. Coincidentally,
12 hours later, was the occasion of the RNI prize-giving. In this case Tom
received the prizes, ironically including one for Vicky as the best (and
only!) female competitor in the race. Tom did his best to encourage others to
follow her example. Finally,
in May, we were also awarded the S&S Association’s Global Challenge Cup
for our result in the RNI. This was kindly received for us by Margriet Kroes
who sailed on ‘Sunstone’ for our first really big success, when we won the
Channel Race in 1985, beating the whole of the Admiral’s Cup fleet. Margriet
and husband Frank now own an S&S Swan 41. |
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