by ronde
A South Seas tale ... just the thing for a grey morning far, far away from the ocean.
Very nice. Nice story.
Nice characters.
The only problem is that it was too short, and we have to say good-bye to them far too quickly.
If you're sailing from the Cook Islands into Auckland the harbour entrance is on your starboard bow, not your port bow.
Good story, a little light on the elements (plot, characterization, conflict/resolution, you know - those things.) A nice summer daydream in the hammock, and a semi-solid 4.
Shame this wasn’t a fair bit longer, I’m a sucker for a yacht romance, given that sailing my own brought me back to sanity after a divorce and then gave me a love that’s lasted for over 30 years.
Another good story from Ronde, yes it could have been longer, been more involved etc, but I’ll take what I can get. Cheers, Ppfzz. 5⭐️
Marvelous! Reminds me of James A. Mitchner's Adventures in Paradise. Loved that show as a kid. Once got to steer a boat which had participated in the Galveston-Vera Cruz race. I had no idea boats could feel like sports cars!
A 30' sailboat with an aft cabin AND a quarter berth? Pick one or the other, you don't get both. But, if you knew about boats, you'd know a Catalina 30 isn't the boat to cross the Pacific in.
It’s a good story. He must have done very well with his money, to afford retirement at 40.
Another fine story from this author. One minor quibble…learn that “it’s” isn’t the possessive of “it.” It’s a contraction of “it is,” so when you’re going to write “it’s,” stretch it out to “it is” and see if that makes sense.
Gods, this is so me. If only you didn't need money to just chuck it all the way and sail off.
Great read. Clear of overcast nights at sea with all of the stars is something one will never forget.
Well told and great ending. Two souls seeing different ports and enjoying each other. If only more of life was like this story. Thanks for sharing...
FYI... stowaways still need a valid passport and applicable visas in the Pacific and especially when returning to New Zealand as a passenger.
You'd both have been arrested as soon as she couldn't provide a passport on Norfolk Island.
Nice, but could have been so much more. Even if Estelle happened to have her passport in her purse, there needs to be more to her back story. No one called the cops after she disappeared? Wasn't;t her sister concerned? On the up side, you've left it wide open for a chapter 2 or even a prequel.
My people get caught up with with issues that really don't bother.
Is just a story for heavens sake, not fact.
Man! Talk about a change of venue! From Central and Eastern Tennessee to the far South Pacific. Wow, Go Big or Go Home, I guess.
I much prefer longer stories (I liken it to ONE potato chip), but this LITTLE gem managed to uphold the high standards we've grown to expect from this writer.
Thank you, RONDE.
Nice little story but, as someone who lives in Auckland, your geography is a bit out. As allansbullet wrote, if you're arriving from the north Auckland's harbour is on the starboard side, and you wouldn't go anywhere near Motuihe Island (which would be to port, anyway).
Heading back out, there's no way a yacht travelling at maybe 8 or 10 knots is going to get from Auckland city in the morning to between the Barrier Islands by lunchtime. As for finding an airport for Estelle, why not divert to Whangarei? It's on the route to Norfolk Island anyway, and it means that you don't have to worry about little details like passports.
All that nit-picking aside, I like the story just as much as dozens of others that you've written. Keep up the good work!
As another anonymous said, it’s fine. People notice errors where they don’t matter.
5*
Tc