Concerts, Conservation and Camping - with a Weta!

February 2011- Concerts, conservation and camping - with a Weta!

Kiwi Weta sailors report on their recent weekend at the 'Live at the Islands' concert on Aucklands Motutapu Island. The event is promoted to raise funds and awareness to conserve New Zealands amazing nature and features some of the countries top musical talent. Good work Geoff and Lotte - we hope more can join next year!

On Sat Feb 12th Lotte and I went to Motatapu for the concert that took place as part of the series "Concerts and Conservation". However we decided to travel by Weta instead of Fullers and that made the whole trip so much more enjoyable - and it also meant we didn't have to worry about whether there would be any room on the last ferry (which, I think, there would have been - for future reference!).
We have a hatch in the boat and the large pace it affords was packed with food, spare clothes, camping gear (tent, mats, bags etc), the usual emergency gear I carry on the Weta and, of course, the trusty canoe cart!
In the morning it was much more windy than forecast and it was coming precisely from our intended destination's direction. That, coupled with a sea that would make a washing machine look calm, ensured a lively - though thoroughly enjoyable - journey from St Heliers to Home Bay which we completed in 1 hour 45 mins.
When we arrived at the bay we went around the edge of the hundreds of moored boats and arrived at the fairly steep, gravel beach. Whilst Lotte held the bow into the wind I took the canoe cart parts out of the hold, assembled it (takes less than a minute), strapped it to the back of the boat and hauled the boat stern first above the high tide mark. There it stayed until the next morning whilst we went off to set up camp and enjoy the concert.

The concert was right beside the camp site and was hugely enjoyable with artists such as Wellington International Ukele Orchestra, Kirsten Morrell, Anika Moa, Nathan Hanes and Minuit giving it their all. Last ferry left at 2230 so we were able to get plenty of sleep.

After a stroll around the island we returned to St. Heliers on a perfect day with enough breeze for a gentle sail back under 3 sails with the wind behind us. 75 mins after setting off from Motatapu we were onshore and, after I had received a "No thanks" from my wife in reply to the half-serious question "It's such a beautiful day - shall we go for a sail?", I started de-rigging. By the time I had finshed Lotte had changed and returned with a couple of flat whites - a perfect end to a great weekend.

Geoff
Sail 255