Day one

Paid the balance of the money today. Sue talked with Brian on the phone. Emotional time for all of us, in different ways. Exciting. Scary. Sobering. Uplifting. A new chapter in Orion's long life. Insurance is with us now.

H.Saunders

Orion was built at Paremata, Porirua, just north of Wellington. When Costa Botes made this film — shot on 16mm by Murray Milne, and featuring poet Sam Hunt (1988) — Harold Saunders had moved his operation to Jackson's Bay, Tory Channel. The similarities of design and construction between this yet-to-be-identified vessel and Orion are striking.

Catching the Tide

Details of the construction methods, and just the joy of seeing the process as Harold and another man steam a plank, hammer it up into position, and fasten it with copper rivets, is so worth the watch. Even Sam Hunt fails to spoil the experience! The whole film is a gem, full of dyed-in-the-wool kiwi nostalgia, seascapes, rich conversation, and poetry.

Survey

Hauled out at Orams Yard, Westhaven. Surveyed by Jon Jones. Wet and windy. We weren't on board, but Bill Musgrove took pictures and video and talked with us after on the phone.

Jon Jones at Orams

Sea trial

Saw Orion for the first time. Spent the day on board. In the afternoon left the marina and steamed down to Bean Rock light and back. Confirmed our offer, subject to survey. Paid a deposit.

Brian, Sue and Bill

Bean Rock