A Vacant Campsite

Well it’s farewell to Nelson for this season. I am actually writing this on the ferry from Picton to Wellington.
The weekend of the 24/25th March we celebrated the 150th anniversary of yachting in Nelson. What a weekend of partying! Thursday night was registration with a few drinks. Friday night saw the launch of the book “Sailors of 41 South” written by Tracy Neal. This is a really good chronicle of the development of sailing in New Zealand. The party did not go on too late. On Saturday there was a sail past of historic and current yachts. All the Optimists that could, put on a great display sailing past the club in procession. The senior Optimist sailors saluted the crowd on the deck. Saturday evening there was a formal dinner with many of the club members in period dress. Lorna and I actually dressed up .The weather was absolutely perfect with light breezes and sunshine, unlike the north which had rain and floods. The rest of the week was remarkable because there was only one day when there was a reasonable breeze. For our fortieth wedding anniversary the yacht club gave us a voucher for dinner at the Italian restaurant above the club house. We went there on Wednesday and had a meal to die for. If anyone is looking for Italian food in Nelson you should go to Venice Cove. The fruit salad is divine.
It is almost two weeks since I started this blog – mea culpa!
After crossing we drove to Shannon where there is a Park over property, but the lady was not available to let us in. We ate Chinese and then drove on to Palmerston North where the RSA car park provided our night’s stop. The next day we drove to Napier, pausing at Ashurst for breakfast. Napier was full on. Caring for and coaching eight sailors at a regatta is very stressful. The sailors did not perform as well as expected.
We had the opportunity to catch up with some of our old friends from Napier which was really great.
After Napier we went on up to Whangamata where I was able to tile the floor in the bathroom. We have moved on to Auckland now. Struan and Debbie’s new house is wonderful. We helped yesterday cleaning up the old rented property.
Today I am flying back to Nelson where the team going to Venice will be training for the next week. We have arranged for some experienced young sailors to come and give the Nelson sailors the benefit of their knowledge. Juggling the personality clashes among the parents is a real hassle. I am not looking forward to this aspect of the trip. However the experience for the children will be worth the angst – I hope.