New Year, New Adventure: Part 11 of 13

90 nautical miles north east of Napier, the ship dropped anchor in Poverty Bay. For our day’s adventure, we were heading into Gisborne, a small agricultural community at the mouth of the Turanganui River. The weather forecast for the day was pessimistic, but there was a brief weather window with low enough wind and waves that the ship’s tenders could operate. The captain said it was safe, but also suspected it wouldn’t be a comfortable ride from the ship to shore.

The view from the breakfast table, nine decks above the water. The conditions between the ship and the mouth of the river didn’t look too crazy.

Watching the crew lower the tender into the water brought the condidtions more into perspective.

On the lee side of the ship, where tender operations were taking place, the wind and wave shadow was fairly effective at smoothing the water.

Coming around the the stern of the ship, motoring with the waves and wind, the ride was rolly, but not terrible.

Once we made it into the river, the wind and waves dropped to nothing. In exchange we got drizzle and low clouds.

The destination for the day was a cattle and sheep station, half an hour drive north of Gisborne. The station consists of approximately 3000 acres of mostly rough and hilly terrain. Positioned on a hilltop, the house dates to 1908 and was built in the contemporary “Craftsman” style.

The view from the back of the house gives a fair example of the easy terrain on the station.

A mile down the drive, in the shearing shed, the third generation operator of the station gave a convincing display of sheep husbandry, including shearing.

This was the first shearing of the year for this animal.

Managing the herds and flocks on the station was done from horseback with the help of 8-10 working dogs.

The station employee lounge. Heading Dogs and Huntaway Dogs. Each dog has a unique set of six or more whistle commands, loves what it does and would do it all day if left to its own devices.

Our day in Gisborne was shorter than planned, but watching the last tender motor back to the ship was enough to convince even the most hardy among us to call it a day.

By the middle of the day, the ship was moving out of Poverty Bay, passing Tuaheni Point on the way to the next stop further to the north.