Thursday 21 March Nelson public wharf

Nelson has the rare attraction of free public berths for visiting boats built by a benevolent fisherman for boats travelling to Port Stephens for the fishing tournaments and incorporating a weighing station and now used by sail and motor boats with the outer wharf for passenger ferries. With some careful manoeuvring on a rising tide we got Jackster in first thing this morning. Although there's no electricity there is water and the convenience of being able to step ashore without bringing the dinghy in.

In the morning we went in to the town for a coffee and pick up some shopping and were looking forward to a leisurely afternoon aboard. First we were invaded by a class of teenage schoolgirls on an afternoon field trip – fishing off the wharf. What class is this? Science? Biology? Their teachers were baiting hooks and helping those who were fishing, others who;d lost interest preferred to scream and leap frog the bollards. As they left we were watching booths being set up for a weekend trailer boat fishing competition. The afternoon was registration and meet your mates time. Time enhanced with a beer can in hand. Seems a tinny is the essential accessory for the get together. The motor boats started arriving and tying up next to us which was fine. Plenty of room for all but at 11pm we had two boats next to each other and within 10 feet of our bedroom competing for the loudest music system in the harbour. The police visited and the music was turned down for a while but didn't go quite until 3am. My, didn't we choose the wrong night to use a free slip? Would you be surprised if I told you we left the next day?