Late last year we booked our van in for some January camping upgrades, thinking we would do more regular trips away. Now the need for camping has become more urgent so we debated whether or not to continue with the renos or just use it as is. After all we’ve already had some amazing trips in it and it functions well. In the end we decided to cancel some things but to go with the major changes which include adding permanent solar, a second battery, interior led lighting, a roof vent and an awning. We could run our original portable battery for about 2-3 days before having to recharge but a permanent set up will make us more self sufficient and off-grid so we are going for it. Look out world when we get a pimped up Vannie Van Van Van Vanster back on the road. 

Our go-to guy is Dn from Manurewa, so we drive over and reluctantly say goodbye to Vannie for a couple of weeks. Sister C picks us up there and we head over to her house for the next adventure. We are having a sailing lesson with bro-in-law BB today. I have never sailed before do not know what to expect. The day is hot hot hot, up around 29 or 30 degrees and the sun is just beating down. BB goes over the how-to’s while on land and despite trying to squeeze into any visible sliver of shade, I think I’m going to faint. I manage to stay upright so BB, my niece E, and I ride in the safety rubber boat and Susannah has first go in the laser. 

The wind has picked up and while we are getting ourselves out from the shore in the rubber boat Susannah takes off in the sailboat and we have to boot it a bit to catch her. BB yells Tack, which she attempts to do but then doesn’t quite get herself over to the other side of the boat in time so the boat overbalances and tips over. Then we begin the how-to-get-back-onboard part of the lesson. Once in again Susannah has another go but this time gets a pretty good clock on the head with the boom and ends up in the water again. Luckily we are wearing helmets and lifejackets so all well there. This looks hard.

I am the next victim and it’s pretty much rinse and repeat, literally. My first fall in the ocean and I’m tempted to just stay there floating as the water is lovely and refreshing. I do manage to right the boat and hoist myself inside which feels like a huge win given my left back muscle isn’t where it used to be. I do this a couple more times, but after the third fall I’m completely pooped so get aboard the safety boat instead. We settle for zooming around watching BB show us how it’s really done.

One thing I also learn is that my Knitted Knocker is a landlubber. It does not like to go swimming. The outer casing is good but the wool stuffing is all bunched up and lumpy. Easy solution though – just refill with fresh wool.

Sailing, it turns out, is not for me. I love the water but I prefer kayaking, swimming, and body boarding. That’s ok though, it was a really fun thing to try and oh boy, that water was wonderful to be in. 

Thanks for letting us give it a go, BB!