27th to 29th December – Sailing, Philosophising, Fishing and Flying

Sailing & Philosophising

The 27th was agreed to be the day that all the ladies would go sailing while the men-folk stayed on dry land discussing life’s many unanswered questions.

This started off with everybody meeting down near the Wharf while Aidan and Granpa navigated the Yacht from Matauwhi Bay to the Wharf.

(Picture: The girls got the YMCA thing all wrong)

Luckily the girls were sitting where they were as Nan’s stair-lift malfunctioned and jettisoned her towards the bench.

(Picture: Nice catch girls!)

Once Nan was propped up again we kept an eye out on the horizon for Captain Granpa and his trusty Skipper Aidan.

(Picture: I spy a Shetland Flag)

(Picture: Ahoy me hearties!)

(Picture: The ladies bundled aboard)

Once we had seen them safely set voyage, Wade, Bart & Myself had the small task of deciding where would be a nice quiet serene place that we could go and discuss life and all its intricacies.  A unanimous show of hands appeared when the pub was suggested.

It being a Sunday afternoon also meant that a partially live band was playing.  I say partially because it was a father & son team who had opted to use a backing track for all other musical instruments.  Interesting decision.

Even with the background noise we managed to discuss and solve many of the world’s mysteries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  (Pictures: Great men, deep in thought)

Before long the wimmen-folk returned and we began to realise just how mentally drained we were by the afternoons hard work.  Thus it was time to start on the Jack Daniels.  Unfortunately nobody had reminded Nan to take her tablets while they were on the boat.

(Picture: Nan – Medically unaided)

Us younger generation decided to hang back and play a few games of pool.  Jack Daniels conveniently had a promotion running at the time.  Lord knows how many wristbands, wallets and hats we had procured by the end of the night.

(Picture courtesy of Sophie: Bart in action)

(Picture courtesy of Sophie: Hmm, less balls on the table than I remember)

Fishing Trip

On Monday the 28th Bart, Aidan and I headed off on a fishing trip aboard The Belfast while Tania & Sophie went dolphin swimming/watching.

(Picture: Aidan & Bart poised for action)

We also saw dolphins.  Not exactly the critters you want to see when you are out fishing.  It may go some of the way to explaining why we didn’t catch much. By the time I got the camera out of the bag they had travelled quite a distance.

(Picture: Dolphins in the distance)

All our fish were too small and had to be thrown back except for the Golden Snapper that Aidan managed to snag.

(Picture: Aidan and his Golden Snapper)

(Picture courtesy of Tania:  Meanwhile Tania and Sophie spotted these critters)

Flying

That afternoon Aidan & Sophie went flying.

(Picture: What’s that yellow blob?)

(Picture: What is that???)

(Picture: Ah! It’s Aidan & Sophie!)

Aidan was told that they were only going to go up to 100ft, which he reckoned was about the height of the mast on Granpas boat.  Only once they had been up was he told that they were actually at 1200ft.  He thoroughly enjoyed it though.

(Picture: On the descent)

That evening we all headed down to the wharf for a spot of fishing.

(Picture: Aidan, fishing, again)

(Picture: Russell Wharf at night)

Lazy day & Fishing (Again)

Tuesday the 29th of December was quite a lazy day.  Aidan and I went down to the wharf in the morning for a spot of fishing…again.  While we were there Aidan got invited back out on The Belfast to go fishing…again.

Sophie went diving, Tania and I headed over to Paihia on the fast ferry for a stroll about town.  While there I purchased a new polarising filter for my 50mm lens.

(Picture: Zipping along on the Fast Ferry to Paihia)

(Picture: Aidan at the helm of The Belfast) 

So, that brings us up to New Years Eve, I am slowly getting this thing up to date!!!