We were all up excited and buzzing around the dock the next morning. There was a final photo of all the ICA Rally crew outside the Opua Cruising Club so again we trekked from Ashby’s boatyard down to the Club. The kids refused their final shower so turned up with wild hair. There was definitely a lot of energy in the air that day… excitement mingled with uncertainty, exuberance and quiet contemplation walking hand in hand… a few last minute supplies at the Opua General Store and we were back to make final preparations. Duncan must have been excited as he “forgot” to tell us that he was casting off! I was on the dock filling up water bottles and poor Pete had gone to dump the final rubbish bag as we pulled away. After we alerted Duncan to the fact that an important member of our crew was still running down the dock we had to pull a swift manouvre and point the bow back in to pick him up. Safe and sound on deck we headed out to the starting line. The hooter sounded and the 2010 Island Cruising Rally – Pacific Leg was underway…
It wasn’t until we were heading out towards the outer islands and the nerves and adrenalin had calmed down that anyone remembered to take a sea sickness pill. I had bought some “sea legs” from the local pharmacy which I took and the boys all popped a “Paihia Bomb”. The local pharmacy is famous for these little concoctions, an antihystimine taken for motion sickness and then followed up later with a caffeine hit to keep you awake. Well I don’t know if it was because I took the Sea Legs and not the Bomb or more the fact that I was worried I was a neglectful mother taking my 2 young kids to sea but it wasn’t too long before I was beginning to feel a little queasy. Nothing like a dash of uncertainty to go with it just to top you off. I kept up a brave face all day producing food and drinks and trying to appear relaxed for the kids and crew’s sake.
Pete on the helm
leaving Opua, NZ
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