Mayday 2026

 The wokkers set out to Bill Webber’s French Pass house on May 2nd – we had our previous booking at French Pass a week before cancelled because of a booking  muckup. This was fortunate for us as the earlier date had been windy and rainy but the following weekend (our new booking) was windless, sunny weather. 

Unfortunately several wokkes who had booked for the earlier date had other things on for the dates. As well illness caused cancellations – the most serious being Tom, our cheif organiser.   On our previous trip to Torrent Bay we brought two dozen cans of Ginger Beer (along with other beers and wine. The ginger beer lasted about 24 hours so somw six dozen cans were brought  We took three dozen  GB cans home. The wokkers are getting older and much less alcoholic drinks including wine are consumed. However we continue to eat  well. The fish was pvacuum packed – a recent change initiated by the new young wocers. This is a marvelous innovation for keeping fish fresh. 
We had three boats - Dick had his son’s boat. A lot bigger and more powerful than his old standby that had done many earlier trips to the area. Johnny’s boat was similarly nice and powerful and fast. George’s boat seemed quite tiny by contrast but stayed ashore until  Tuesday. A supply of air for our  divers assured a good supply of crayfisn, 
Brian had bought his drone and so was able to take photos from a different angle. Maybe the drone has an adverse effect on fish. as the big snapper were few and far between, as were the tarakihi but we survived on blue cod and gurnard.  
The food was plentiful and tasty from chef Brian, sous chef Goorge and the trusty wok. A fancy seafood orchestra came to the party plus John’s OBE (Over Bloody Eighty) birthday cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries. 
We did do a little fishing. Up the West Coast of d’Urville Island as far as Bottle Point and on Monday to the Chetwood Islands. Some of the crew had to leave on Monday afternoon which may help explain why so little booze was drunk. George launched his boat for the first time for a final fish in Current Basin. Before the depleted crew left for home.