It was the Christmas of 2008 whilst employed at Whakanewha as Dotterel Guardian that I would serendipitously meet the Christmas camp host of nine years.
The previous year I had arrived from the mainland after a twenty-five year absence from Waiheke.
Mary and I had much in common; we loved the wilderness of forest and sea, classical music, art, poetry, the theatre, a good wine, good company, peace and simplicity and a life based on need rather than want.
We quickly determined that if we were to continue to sought a land based property our outgoings would exceed our income.
Our solution was to purchase a home spelt, B.O.A.T. The decision was based on sound family budgeting principles and practicable sensibility.
Living aboard is not just about lifestyle. This life has its unique community and culture with seafaring traditions, customs and rules.
Life on board our catamaran Kukurei had begun by building an extra cabin on the back, dodging the weather for the first year with tarps as I continued the work. Erstwhile, Mary's four children also living on board and vastly experienced from annual holiday tenting made no complaints but immensely enjoyed it.
Mary's children have all been home schooled from an early age and have become self- autonomous, mindful of and understsanding of others dispositions. They are clever, resourcful, have good attitude and are wise beyond their years. And if I may seemingly be boasting, 'watch this space;' these children are achievers.
I'm not their father but by God, I'm proud of them!
As a family we strive to decrease our environmental footprint.
Our waka, Kukurei, derives all her electric power from four hundred and eighty watts of solar panels. This allows us to run LED's, a refrigerator freezer, watch DVD's (we don't allow a television) charge our phones, do all our banking and emailing on board using an ipad.
Kukurei's deck is also her water catchment.
Having a gas oven has provided hot breads, cakes, roasts and yummy shephards pie with melted cheese on top.
Nature befriends us daily. Black back gulls and ducks peck at our windows every morning in expectation of a tasty morsel feeding from our hands. These events signal a time to rise from bed and welcome the new day even if it's raining. Ducks and sparrows fly into our boat in hospitality of the offerings that may drop from our dining table. Kingfishers dive about us as does a segull with an identity crisis we observe daily emulating them. About us are herons, variable oyster catchers, eels, porori, mullet, kingfish and herrings which unfrightened come so close. Shags and eagle rays swim nonchalantly about our legs as we wade to and from our home.
"Tis thouest spiritous of nature that we be so endeared."
We as spirits should always have room to accept each others differences. There is always room for hope, attitude, encouragement, acceptance, understanding and tolerance; to live in harmony with each other and with Io's creatures.
"O, but for such possibility should we strive to co-exist in peace and enjoyment of life."
Skipper; Steve Matatahi o Tainui.
No comments:
Post a Comment