March 27, 2013
March 23, 2013
oystercatchers, whitianga harbour
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| Oystercatchers at low tide, Whitianga Harbour Whitianga, Coromandel Peninsula, NEW ZEALAND (March 2013) |
March 22, 2013
March 16, 2013
makao, whitianga
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| Crew of SY Makao from L to R: Martin (5 months), Katell, Thibaut (2 years) & Mathieu Hauet. Whitianga, Coromandel Peninsula - NEW ZEALAND (March 2013) |
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| L to R: Katell, Thibaut, Tormentina, James & Raivo. Whitianga Marina, Coromandel Peninsula - NEW ZEALAND. (March 2013) |
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| SV Makao Whitianga Marina, Coromandel Peninsula - NEW ZEALAND. (March 2013) |
March 15, 2013
March 13, 2013
the cameron brothers
Our friend Kez Cameron, an 18' Skiff sailor from Tauranga, showed up at the boatyard in Whitianga yesterday. He brought a surprise - two of his brothers, Logan and Garrick - to help James finish preparing Anasazi Girl's hull for new antifouling. The four of them powered up and they finished taking off the bottom paint, every last bit of it. Thanks to the guys, we are now 5 days ahead of schedule.
Afterward, we had beer and New Zealand lamb, grilled in the backyard. It was eaten with no utensils or plates, finger-lickin' Patagonia style. Nice to have friends in this life.
Afterward, we had beer and New Zealand lamb, grilled in the backyard. It was eaten with no utensils or plates, finger-lickin' Patagonia style. Nice to have friends in this life.
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| Portrait of Kez Cameron. Whitianga, Coromandel Peninsula - NEW ZEALAND. (March 2013) |
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| L to R: Logan, Garrick, James, Kez, and the kids in front. Whitianga, Coromandel Peninsula - NEW ZEALAND (March 2013) |
March 11, 2013
antifouling, whitianga marina
by James Burwick
Down to the business of removing the old antifouling on Anasazi Girl.
It has been one year since the boat was last slipped onto the South African Navy Dockyard's hard-stand in Simons Town. During that refit, I gave her a super thin, 3 liter coat of antifouling. It’s much easier this time to get back to the layer of primer.
A Girl’s spot at the Whitianga Marina is super clean. The natural environment surrounding it is quite stunning and very peaceful. My mind works better when everything around me is clean and organized. Maybe I am a bit neurotic like Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets. I love his obsessive scene with the bars of soap.
Work has been a combination of wet sanding & dust-free machine sanding with a vacuum suction. There is no fairing material on the hull, just a coat of primer over the carbon prepreg. So I try to move slow, working deliberately and methodically, putting the pain in the box for later.
I don’t feel the aches in my body until I return to our Kiwi sleep-out. When I finally stop moving and lay on a bed that my entire family fits on, what an appreciation I have for the simple comfort of a soft mattress.
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| Whitianga Marina travel-lift in the foreground with Whitianga's Scenic & Historic Reserve and Whitianga Harbour in the background. The marina participates in the New Zealand Clean Marina enviornmental program. |
It has been one year since the boat was last slipped onto the South African Navy Dockyard's hard-stand in Simons Town. During that refit, I gave her a super thin, 3 liter coat of antifouling. It’s much easier this time to get back to the layer of primer.
A Girl’s spot at the Whitianga Marina is super clean. The natural environment surrounding it is quite stunning and very peaceful. My mind works better when everything around me is clean and organized. Maybe I am a bit neurotic like Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets. I love his obsessive scene with the bars of soap.
Work has been a combination of wet sanding & dust-free machine sanding with a vacuum suction. There is no fairing material on the hull, just a coat of primer over the carbon prepreg. So I try to move slow, working deliberately and methodically, putting the pain in the box for later.
I don’t feel the aches in my body until I return to our Kiwi sleep-out. When I finally stop moving and lay on a bed that my entire family fits on, what an appreciation I have for the simple comfort of a soft mattress.
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| Underside of Anasazi Girl's bow with half the anitfouling from South Africa taken down to the primer. |
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| Anasazi Girl's autoclave carbon fin keel & lead bulb. |
March 9, 2013
day in the life, whitianga
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| New brake pads for the road ahead. Tormentina shooting my Canon 5D Mark II. Laura Dekker & Dan Thielmann getting ready for a road trip on our grass driveway. Whitianga, Coromandel Peninsula (March 2013) |
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| James checking over A Girl's JP3 rudder bearings. Whitianga Marina hard stand, Coromandel Peninsula (March 2013) |
March 8, 2013
whitianga marina haul-out & our new box
by James Burwick
Anasazi Girl is on the hardstand.
We are preparing her for more wave sailing in the Southern Ocean.
All gear is off the boat.
1st interior deep clean.
Rudders out.
JP3 Rudder bearings out.
Gori propeller off.
The 5 of us are living two blocks away from the boatyard.
We have a one room place the Kiwis call a "sleep out."
A bed for us and mattresses on floor that make a giant bed for the kids.
Wow. What a concept. Nice change.
We are cooking on the Origo meth stove from the boat and have a BBQ in the yard.
A little black cat with yellow eyes comes by.
The grocery store is two blocks away.
We are walking not driving.
Anasazi Girl is on the hardstand.
We are preparing her for more wave sailing in the Southern Ocean.
All gear is off the boat.
1st interior deep clean.
Rudders out.
JP3 Rudder bearings out.
Gori propeller off.
The 5 of us are living two blocks away from the boatyard.
We have a one room place the Kiwis call a "sleep out."
A bed for us and mattresses on floor that make a giant bed for the kids.
Wow. What a concept. Nice change.
We are cooking on the Origo meth stove from the boat and have a BBQ in the yard.
A little black cat with yellow eyes comes by.
The grocery store is two blocks away.
We are walking not driving.
new zealand haul-out: whitianga, mercury bay
Last Saturday, Anasazi Girl was moved from the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland, down the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula to Mercury Bay.
Mercury Bay was originally called Te-Whanganui-o-Hei by the ancient Maoris, meaning the "Great Bay of Hei". Hei was a Maori chief who brought his family there in 1350.
Its new name came from Captain James Cook. He sailed the HMS Endeavor into Mercury Bay on November 3, 1769. He entered this particular harbour to watch the Transit of Mercury, which was due to happen on the 9th. (A transit of Mercury occurs when Mercury passes between the sun and the Earth, creating a black dot that moves along the face of the sun.) A cairn on the eastern end of Cook's Beach marks the spot where the observations were made by Cook and his astronomer Charles Green.
Anasazi Girl sat on a mooring in Maramaratotara Bay (known today as Flaxmill Bay) for three nights with a view very similar to Cook's.
She was lifted out of the water by the Whitianga Marina thanks to the help of Darryl and Graham. Anasazi Girl now sits on the hard-stand work area, awaiting a refit to prepare her for the next voyage.
Mercury Bay was originally called Te-Whanganui-o-Hei by the ancient Maoris, meaning the "Great Bay of Hei". Hei was a Maori chief who brought his family there in 1350.
Its new name came from Captain James Cook. He sailed the HMS Endeavor into Mercury Bay on November 3, 1769. He entered this particular harbour to watch the Transit of Mercury, which was due to happen on the 9th. (A transit of Mercury occurs when Mercury passes between the sun and the Earth, creating a black dot that moves along the face of the sun.) A cairn on the eastern end of Cook's Beach marks the spot where the observations were made by Cook and his astronomer Charles Green.
Anasazi Girl sat on a mooring in Maramaratotara Bay (known today as Flaxmill Bay) for three nights with a view very similar to Cook's.
She was lifted out of the water by the Whitianga Marina thanks to the help of Darryl and Graham. Anasazi Girl now sits on the hard-stand work area, awaiting a refit to prepare her for the next voyage.
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| Shakespeare Head and Maramaratotara Bay, Mercury Bay with HMS Endeavour This engraving by an unknown artist appeared in "The Early History of New Zealand" by R.A.A. Sherrin & J.H. Wallace. Brett's historical series edited by T.W. Leys, 1890 |
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| View of Shakespeare Head from Anasazi Girl's mooring. Maramaratotara Bay (March 2013) |
March 1, 2013
portrait of laura dekker, viaduct harbour
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| Laura Dekker on our dock at sunset. Hobson West Marina, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland February 28, 2013 |
ready for haul-out, coromandel peninsula
The Auckland CBD has been good to us. In our four months here we had two very monumental & positive life experiences.
At the end of December, we gave birth to our third child - a beautiful little girl named Pearl. She was born five days before Christmas. I had a natural home birth at my midwife Tina Patrick's house in Ponsonby. My four year old daughter Tormentina stayed at my side for the entire labor, helped deliver the baby and Tina let her cut her cord. Pearl moved aboard Anasazi Girl when she was less than a day old.
Through a dedicated effort to get the kids to the pool nearly every day, we gave Tormentina and Raivo a solid swimming foundation at the Auckland City Tepid Baths. We worked with them one on one, then James took over teaching both of them once I gave birth.
Now they are extremely comfortable in the water, jumping into the deep end without hesitation, swimming underwater, and with help they are swimming the length of the 15 meter pool. I see fire in Raivo's eyes as he tries to do tricks diving in. At their own pace, cold water swimming, distance and strengthening their strokes are the next things to focus on. James and I are no longer having nightmares about them drowning.
Pearl is now two months old, super strong, and healthy.
We are ready.
Anasazi Girl is moving to Whitianga, on the Coromandel Peninsula for a haul-out, hard-stand period. A lifestyle change for all of us as James shifts into the intensive work-mode of preparing the boat for the next passage.
The kids will miss cruising around the colorful waterfront on their scooters, but they are super excited for the next adventure
At the end of December, we gave birth to our third child - a beautiful little girl named Pearl. She was born five days before Christmas. I had a natural home birth at my midwife Tina Patrick's house in Ponsonby. My four year old daughter Tormentina stayed at my side for the entire labor, helped deliver the baby and Tina let her cut her cord. Pearl moved aboard Anasazi Girl when she was less than a day old.
Through a dedicated effort to get the kids to the pool nearly every day, we gave Tormentina and Raivo a solid swimming foundation at the Auckland City Tepid Baths. We worked with them one on one, then James took over teaching both of them once I gave birth.
Now they are extremely comfortable in the water, jumping into the deep end without hesitation, swimming underwater, and with help they are swimming the length of the 15 meter pool. I see fire in Raivo's eyes as he tries to do tricks diving in. At their own pace, cold water swimming, distance and strengthening their strokes are the next things to focus on. James and I are no longer having nightmares about them drowning.
Pearl is now two months old, super strong, and healthy.
We are ready.
Anasazi Girl is moving to Whitianga, on the Coromandel Peninsula for a haul-out, hard-stand period. A lifestyle change for all of us as James shifts into the intensive work-mode of preparing the boat for the next passage.
The kids will miss cruising around the colorful waterfront on their scooters, but they are super excited for the next adventure
February 28, 2013
whangamata, coromandel peninsula
We took our first break from work & Auckland since November. Four days on the Coromandel Peninsula for some rest, relaxation, and recharge of energy before the big intensive haul-out period for the boat.
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| James and Raivo boogie to the surf. Whangamata, Coromandel Peninsula, NEW ZEALAND |
February 11, 2013
yachting world, march 2013 issue
Anasazi Girl and the story of our most recent family voyage from Fremantle to Auckland is featured in Yachting World's
March 2013 issue. Photos/words by Somira Sao. Issue is available on news stands in the UK this week.
February 10, 2013
big man, by lucy bucknall
Title: Big Man, 2011
Artist: Lucy Bucknall (1966), United Kingdom
Location: Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter, Waterfront Auckland
Materials: Sheet and rod phosphor bronze
"Big Man, with his paws deep in his hoodie, contemplate the state of our planet, his environment, and things to come." Lucy Bucknall.
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| Big Man by Lucy Bucknall Silo Park at Sunset |
February 7, 2013
north wharf, auckland waterfront
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| Tormentina dancing on North Wharf in front of The Kestrel, a 1905 double ended Waitemata Harbour Ferry, currently under restoration. North Wharf, Wynyard Quarter, Waterfront Auckland |
February 6, 2013
harken new zealand / fosters ship chandlery
Preparing for our next voyage, we headed up the hill to the corner of Fanshawe & Hobson to Fosters.
As soon as you step off the noisy street through the arched doorway, the old wood smell creeps up the steps, into your nose and transports you back in time. The historic building was constructed by Alex Foster in 1906, directly opposite the original Auckland waterfront (before the land reclamation). Alex Foster began a small engineering and marine supply agency called Alex Foster & Co. in the downstairs section of the building.
Today it is the home of Harken New Zealand / Fosters Ship Chandlery. Half store/half museum, you will find marine supplies as well as historic photos and nautical antiques.
We met with Garry Lock, Managing Director at Harken. He is part of our team, helping us go into the deep blue once more. Nothing happens in the sailing game without friendship and expertise.
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| Our barefoot crew entering the Fosters Building on the corner of Fanshawe & Hobson. |
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| Garry Lock, Managing Director - Harken New Zealand |
February 4, 2013
sir peter blake
Raivo, Tormentina, and James roll to & from the pool. Every day we commute past the MAN we respect, Sir Peter Blake. In 2004, the Sir Peter Blake Trust was launched to honor his leadership, love of the environment, and dedication to young people.
February 2, 2013
la loupiote
La Loupiote present "Les Navegateurs" at the Viaduct Basin in Auckland.
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| Acrobatic antics on a 37' sailboat called La Loupiote Viaduct Basin, Auckland |
January 30, 2013
auckland city tepid baths
The biggest reason why Anasazi Girl is docked at Hobson West Marina is because Auckland City's Tepid Baths is located one block away. Tormentina and Raivo lead the way on their scooters and we arrive at the pools within minutes of stepping off of the boat. It is an easy exercise without the stress of getting into a car, strapping three kids into three car seats and dealing with parking.
The Tepid Baths, which originally opened in 1914, has recently undergone a NZD15.8 million renovation and redevelopment. It has been beautifully restored and is the cleanest aquatic facility we have been to since soaking in the geothermal pools in Iceland.
When we are underway on Anasazi Girl and the kids want to be on deck or in the cockpit, then they are in full body harnesses and are clipped into the boat. When we are in port and on the docks, the kids do not wear PFDs all the time. Raivo has fallen off the dock into the water twice. Tormentina has fallen in three times. We have been lucky, but we're tired of worrying about them drowning.
It has been our goal to get them in the water every single day so they can work on strengthening their swimming. We are teaching them ourselves and they are making huge breakthroughs.
In December the Viaduct Marina installed hard wired internet to many of the power plinths, so there is free high-speed internet for many berth holders. As a result, we have been able to stream swim lesson videos, free diving videos, and competitive swimming footage from the 2012 London Olympics, which has been a useful tool for helping the kids progress.
The Tepid Baths, which originally opened in 1914, has recently undergone a NZD15.8 million renovation and redevelopment. It has been beautifully restored and is the cleanest aquatic facility we have been to since soaking in the geothermal pools in Iceland.
When we are underway on Anasazi Girl and the kids want to be on deck or in the cockpit, then they are in full body harnesses and are clipped into the boat. When we are in port and on the docks, the kids do not wear PFDs all the time. Raivo has fallen off the dock into the water twice. Tormentina has fallen in three times. We have been lucky, but we're tired of worrying about them drowning.
It has been our goal to get them in the water every single day so they can work on strengthening their swimming. We are teaching them ourselves and they are making huge breakthroughs.
In December the Viaduct Marina installed hard wired internet to many of the power plinths, so there is free high-speed internet for many berth holders. As a result, we have been able to stream swim lesson videos, free diving videos, and competitive swimming footage from the 2012 London Olympics, which has been a useful tool for helping the kids progress.
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| Raivo in the learner's pool at Auckland City's Tepid Baths. |
January 27, 2013
January 20, 2013
cytoplasm, by phil price
Artist: Phil Price, 2004
Location: Waitemata Plaza, Viaduct Basin, Auckland
Materials: Carbon fiber, glass fiber, high temperature epoxy, precision bearings, stainless steel
Sponsor: Auckland City Sculpture Trust
Phil Price's kinetic work is one of the most popular on the Viaduct walkway. It comprises 16 pod-like discs that move both individually and collectively in the wind. No two views of the work are the same, and herein lies much of Cytoplasm's attraction. / Auckland City Council (Public art on the waterfront).
More work by Phil here: philprice.co.nz
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| cytoplasm, by phil price (2003) |
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| cytoplasm, by phil price (2003) |
January 12, 2013
greenpeace rainbow warrior III, auckland
This morning, we went out on Andy Ball's Sea Harmony and joined a flotilla of boats to welcome the Rainbow Warrior III to the Port of Auckland. She is a state of the art, purpose-built motor assisted sailing yacht owned by Greenpeace.
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| Rangitoto Channel, Auckland Harbour |
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| Commemorates the sinking of the anti-nuclear protest ship Rainbow Warrior at Marsden Wharf by French Government agents on July 10, 1985. "Let the World be Nuclear Free" Quay Street, Auckland |
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