Sailing with Steve Maddren on the good yacht, Thistle Down.

High Lights.

Heading out to Mayor Island with a lovely 10 knot breeze, the kite up, a bit shy but going along nicely. Steve pops down, turns on the VHF and picks up the weather report that says the wind is going to be 25 knot south easterlies.
Within 60 seconds of that report the new wind hits us, wooo hooo the boat dives into a beaut broach and all hell break loose.
I yell to Steve to let the sheet go, the kite pole goes from horizontal to vertical and then the top rips out of the kite. Steve and I manage to get most of the kite down onto the deck and I tidy up the other bits and pieces.
Next step is to put a reef in the main and get back on course. Sail on all ok. Except for the red flag flying from the top of the mast, it used to be the top panel of the kite, now we're a pirate ship.

At Mayor Island.

Southeast Bay
I go snorkelling for the first time in my life (66 years) I had used a snorkel in a pool a couple of time but never in the ocean. I can't believe how amazing it is, there is this whole new world under the sea.

Steve started fishing but only managed to catch a black stingray, ugly brut. (the stingray)

Discovered a pair of seals in the anchorage.

The next day I managed to get a couple of metres from one of the seals, who suddenly lunges at the dinghy and gives a harsh warning bark. Ok I'll back off fella, but I got good photos of you anyway.

Steve caught a nice snapper which we had in a lovely fish curry that night, beautiful.

A nice trip back the next day, we sailed half way then the wind went cranky so we motored the rest of the way.

Fabulous four days.

John Birks.

Glossary of terms.

Kite – spinnaker sail
Sheet – rope to the sail
VHF – boat radio
A bit shy – wind coming from the side instead of the back
Broach – boat being knocked over by the wind