And Still In Opua....
The Adventures of the Good Ship Equinox
Cate and Chris Galloway
Wed 4 May 2011 04:59
We are still sitting in Opua awaiting the right weather to depart - at this stage Saturday is looking good for the off, so fingers crossed.
Allan and Angus returned from their brief sojourn around the upper North Island last night just in time to join us for a cruisers "pot luck", which is a "bring a dish" shared meal. I have never seen gannets like it in all my life, and we were dismayed to see the first lot in heap their plates high with all the good stuff, leaving the remains for those who are less aggressive at the outset. I guess it is a reversion to true human nature - survival of the fittest!
On the life front, we have had a big win - since our insurance claim on Donaldson Street was denied, we had resigned ourselves to having to pay for the repairs, which we have done. By sheer joss our banker contacted us today to advise that NAB were aware that our claim had been declined, and that they are giving us a substantial "Flood Assistance Payment" to help us along. And it will that, very nicely thank you. NAB, reckon you've got us for life!
Otherwise, life is good, we are busily making final preps for the passage to Minerva Reef and then Tonga, where we should arrive around 18 May. The kids are all getting ahead on school, and we are down to the nitty gritty planned maintenance tasks which never seem to get a look in. I guess sitting around waiting for weather has its benefits after all!