Annie wrote:
David: If you remember Norsand, it is by no means the ideal venue for a Launching Ceremony. Fanshi will be unceremoniously shoved down the slipway; Kevin will pause while I christen her and then she will be pushed down further until she floats free. There will be a strong expectation that I then move her out of the way and free up the slipway for other boats. In truth, I will be far too nervous to make a big deal out of it. And I suspect I will only have a few days’ notice of the date. I think we would both enjoy it a lot more if you were to fly out after the launching and help me learn to sail the boat for a week or so.
Yes, that's what I'm thinking, that I should come after the launch, but it will still need some planning ahead. The first thing that has to happen is that NZ has to open its borders to foreigners again, and preferably not insist on 14 days quarantine. The second is that airlines have to begin to accept long haul passengers on something like reasonable Ts and Cs.
I still think it would be a shame if those junkies already in NZ couldn't come and throw their hats in the air, give Fanshi three resounding cheers and congratulate you on a massive achievement. I quite understand if you don't want the world's press and TV to cover the event, though ;-)