Back in Godzone!
Around 0930 I got a phone call from Moana, Peter Stuart's wife. Apparently he had called from the ship on his cellphone shortly after 0700. No sight of land but cellphone coverage nonetheless! They were making great progress and were expecting to be at the Ninepin in a few hours. ETA at Opua was still around 1500. I'd rearranged everything to be working from home before heading to Opua after lunch and at midday my phone rang - it was Russell! So good to hear his voice and they were expecting to be even earlier, heading past Russell Kororareka around 1330. So shortly around 1315 I headed up Flagstaff Hill, only to find Moana and Maryanne and the kids to spot the Tucker gliding by gracefully having rounded Tapeka point. I headed off to the ferry to open up the office and wait.
Margaret was already there, Greta just happened to be on the wharf as well as Kate's Mum plus a few onlookers as she came down the channel towards the Q berth for customs. After about an hour and a half they were released from MAF and customs and headed back to her dock at the end of the wharf.
Beers were opened and Geoff soon arrived with a couple of bottles of rum, food and more drinks and a celebration began. It was great as the Fullers boats and Dolphin Discoveries boats headed home, they all waved and shouted their welcome home messages.
What I hadn't realised is that as they passed Russell Kororareka, they decided to pay Kate a two gun salute with the cannon, firing right at Pompallier. So the whole town got the fright of its life with a huge bang - unfortunately though Kate was in Kerikeri but nice one anyway. The following morning when Kate headed in to town, everyone knew the Tucker was home!
Margaret was already there, Greta just happened to be on the wharf as well as Kate's Mum plus a few onlookers as she came down the channel towards the Q berth for customs. After about an hour and a half they were released from MAF and customs and headed back to her dock at the end of the wharf.
Beers were opened and Geoff soon arrived with a couple of bottles of rum, food and more drinks and a celebration began. It was great as the Fullers boats and Dolphin Discoveries boats headed home, they all waved and shouted their welcome home messages.
What I hadn't realised is that as they passed Russell Kororareka, they decided to pay Kate a two gun salute with the cannon, firing right at Pompallier. So the whole town got the fright of its life with a huge bang - unfortunately though Kate was in Kerikeri but nice one anyway. The following morning when Kate headed in to town, everyone knew the Tucker was home!
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