Opua: exodus
Opua: exodus
5:00 p.m. and quiet.
A rally, of which I was vaguely aware, left this morning for the islands. A man here makes a living running one each year, usually to Tonga or Fiji. Between twenty and thirty boats left with the herd, including the one too close to me. When his anchor came up he was less than a boat length away. He had set it with the wind and current from the opposite direction and without considering the consequences of change. A common human failing, particularly among politicians. Some of the rally boats came from the marina, but most from the anchorage, which has been reduced by two/thirds.
I stopped writing to listen again. Only the occasional sound of water lapping at the hull.
Last night outboards could be heard until after 9:00 p.m.
I was thinking about silence and realized that most people never experience it. More people now live in cities than not, and cities are never silent. I suppose some people become anxious at unfamiliar silence, as they are with solitude.
We had an hour of rain during the night and passing showers until noon.
The sky has cleared and with light wind from the southwest, the air behind the front is decidedly cooler.
Although the rain was never heavy, no water dripped in from the usual leaks. I remain hopeful, if skeptical.
I did little boat work today, only sanding a few paint spots from the cabin sole, and then oiling it. I’ve accomplished what I wanted to here, except anchor at Roberton Island and climb the hill to the lookout.
Another high is due in the Tasman. Perhaps next week.
Saturday, May 1, 2010