Some while ago I took a friendly fan from New Zealand out for a sail on Whimbrel. The chap has done quite well while back in Blighty. Two sails on two different Finesse 24s and two sails up at Horning. The second was to take part in the 3 Rivers Race, which he thoroughly enjoyed.The mate and I had a convivial evening talking to him, and his charming wife, last night over beer (or two) and wine and nibbles. He’s chuffed with the way sailing folks have rallied to get him afloat. I know a Medway chap over at Lower Halstow, another of my readership, had wanted to treat our NZ sailor to a sail too. Alas, his time here runs short and that seemed unlikely as this goes to press. Soon the couple head off to Auckland – home for winter…

My friend sent me a batch of pictures from that famous harbour sometime ago, and as promised, with his sanction, I post a couple of classics photographed from his own cruiser … plus an old working vessel.

Gaff cutter Thelma, a true beauty, sailing hard in Auckland Harbour.

This fine ship was hard on the heels of the Thelma in first shot – those NZ guys take sailing seriously…

This picture fascinated me: I like it because it is of an old coastal trader. She is, I understand, essentially flat bottomed to allow reaching into shallow waters. They were built with centre boards. These little ships were the coastal sisters to our own evocative spritsail barge. Notice the Polynesian influence in her design with her kicked up prow … reminiscent of indigenous craft from the Pacific islands. Lovely!
Pictures courtesy of Paul Mullings, an ‘old’ Leigh-on-Sea man.