Opua: a great walk
Opua: a great walk
‘Boston’ is written on the stern of THE HAWKE OF TUONELA, which is a legal fiction, her true home port is Opua. I love it here. I love the view from the mooring. I love taking two steps and having my head and shoulders outside through the companionway, with a view of the sky, hills, water, other boats, birds. Even as I prepare to sail away, I hope to return.
Yesterday I walked the three miles to Paihia, following my favorite path along the road over the first two hills and at low tide along the bay front around the last hill, among uncovered rocks, shells, kelp, and tide pools.
These are steep hills. My legs felt them. Felt good to feel them.
I walked for the exercise, the experience of the spicy sub-tropical fern forest, to buy a few things in Paihia, and for lunch of calamari and chorizo salad at the almost accurately named waterfront restaurant, 35º South.
Along the way I was passed by a van on which was painted a variation on Descartes: I think, therefore I am. The variation: I doubt, therefore I might be.
And on the roadside was a discarded circular that offered: A $5,000 Karaoke Party! Is this a prize or a punishment?
As I have mentioned before, this area had two ‘100 year storms’ last year. A year has passed since the one in March that caused flooding and landslides. The bend where part of the two lane road fell away has finally been repaired. And those spots bared by slides are now covered with vegetation.
Today was overcast and threatened rain that has, as has become usual, not fallen.
I did a few minor boat chores: removed a bucket of water from the bilge, changed the electrical wiring on one solar panel and the plug on another. Replaced the bolts on the engine and tightened fan belts. Applied a final two coats of oil, making a total of ten, on the tiller and companionway teak.
Except for new lifelines that are promised for next week, and provisioning, THE HAWKE OF TUONELA is ready to go to sea. I don’t leave things to the last minute and am ahead of schedule.
The sun has just set. The boat is rocking slowly. Silent stars appear through the companionway. Did I mention that I love it here?
Saturday, April 5, 2008