Spring 26

 In late April, despite the dire NZ travel advisory, we flew up from New Zealand with Emirates in two of their superb A380s.  Transiting at Dubai and on to London, the pilots carefully skirted the war zones below. In the end, this was one of the most stress-free journeys we have made.  Our London destination was in order to catch up socially with a few folk before heading over to Antiope in Belgium

                           

At the Diksmuide boatyard, we find Antiope 

still snugged up after her winter sleep. 

Since my last post in September 2025, we have had a busy NZ summer. Alongside tasks at home,

In February we attended the annual gathering of Kiwi Cruisers in Europe, an eclectic group of like minded snowbirds. Charles has also skippered several sail training trips aboard Lion NZ and Steinlager. These trips can be challenging at times, however the rewards of seeing the students grow in confidence are worth it. 'My best job ever'!

The annual Kiwi cruisers meeting in the Bombay hills.

Steinlager 2 is no match for Team NZ 

and their foiling 40 

Taking students to sea aboard Steinlager2 

and Lion NZ is my best job ever

Another achievement has been to finally complete a model replica galleon, a task handed to me by my daughter several years ago. The final act being to see it installed safely in a glass cabinet at her home in Tauranga. 

Finished at last!

More or less authentic rigging,

Even the gun ports open.

Returned completed and safely behind glass.

While in London we found a warm spring day to visit the Chelsea Physic Garden, this having been on on Annie's bucket list for a while. The extensive walled estate owes many of its specimens to Joseph Banks' early voyages with Bligh and Cook. Exotic plants and trees have been nurtured alongside carnivorous and deadly plants for over 350 years, all in the interests of science and medicine.   

A flowering kowhai in the Physic Garden.

This Wardian Case once transported 

exotic plants by sailing ships.

    

A homage to my misspent youth.

 A pint in my old 'local', The Nightingale Pub

 

Another visit to the Suffolk seaside coincided with a Classic car parade in Felixstowe with over 600 vehicles entered and all ranged up alongside the beach huts.  

Even a 'Trabant' on show

A Dodge Charger...General Lee, 

an immaculate repro  

Hands up those who can remember the Dukes of Hazzard.

1953 Ford Popular. My dad had one of these!

This Morris Cowley is a century old

As I write we are back aboard Antiope, in Diksmuide having found her in good shape after a long winter sleep snug inside a large shed in the company of many craft of various vintages. Hauled outside, Antiope is currently sitting in a cradle on the hardstand while we complete some pre-launch tasks.

                                                                     STOP PRESS

 

We are back afloat