Mind you, it's not all fun and games out there on the Hauraki Gulf. Today the media boat broke down, which left us wallowing in 20-knot winds and 3- to 4-foot seas.

The motion was tolerable until we were swung broadside into the waves. Then the rectangle-shaped, 80-foot catamaran was jerked around like a bronc rider in a rodeo.

Trying to work was very Chaplinesque. I'd begin to type, then the laptop would skid across the table to my right. I'd center it and begin to type again, then the laptop would skid to the left, in danger of crashing to the deck. I'd long since given up trying to keep my coffee cup upright. (At least it missed the keyboard.)

People were being tossed about -- not to mention tossing their cookies. It was the same day a Japanese sailor got cracked on the head by a plummeting spinnaker pole and was rushed to hospital. It's a wonder no one was hurt on the media boat. As the Italians would say, "Bocco de luppa!" -- a narrow escape from the wolf's jaw.

But I needed to write because I had the duty for the main story that day, and I wanted to get as much done as possible before we got back to the media centre. (Deadlines for a website are like a daily newspaper or wire service.)

Apparently, there was a problem with the fuel line and the two engines stalled. They'd fix it, we'd cruise along for about 10 minutes, then the engines would stall again. That scenario was repeated all the way in. Meanwhile, the seas were building.

The media boat limped into port more than an hour late. And when we did finally reach port, one engine wouldn't start at all, so the skipper had to dock the boat using just the single remaining engine.

We've been assured it won't happen again. (I'll keep you posted.)

           Cheers,
           Larry