I’ve just returned home to a hot summer, after a wonderful 5 days down in Whangarei, New Zealand. My sweaters are put away, my coffee doesn’t taste as good as the flat whites, and I’m finding myself missing…the BOAT YARD?? After a solid week’s work, the Circa crew (and Todd and I) donned our new Wicked Team t-shirts, I pressed the button to cut the first plate of metal on FPB 97-1, and we proceeded to enjoy ourselves in the late afternoon shadow of the new building extension. (Photo above courtesy of Michael Jones.)

It ain’t a party if you don’t have pizza! (And, in New Zealand at least, beer. Preferably Steinlager.)

The photo above shows the first plate being cut on FPB 97-1. The build is officially underway…

One of the many aspects about Circa that I admire is the continual work ethic. Even during a start-of-build party, certain crew members stayed busily finishing up projects before tackling the buffet. Here one of the “sparkies” (electricians), Marianne, happily wires away on FPB 64-6.

And over in the “drawing” room, engineers are bent over computer monitors.

FPB 64-8′s welding waits for no pizza.

Meanwhile, honorary team build member Michael Jones, who contributed heavily to the Wicked 97′s design and came to Whangarei to celebrate, got a paparazzi style self-portrait shot with me during his tour of Circa.

FPB 97 project manager John Richards was similarly attacked.

The outfitting shed looked strangely quiet as FPB 64s 6 and 7 waited patiently for Monday’s attention.

And the weather gods smiled favorably on the Circa party, parting the waves of rain and displaying blue sky, which turned even stalwart local (and head engineer) Ed Firth into a tourist!

Todd Rickard was corralled for a last self-portrait as the supply of Steinlager dwindled down…

Then I was spirited away for a “little walk” (translated from the Kiwi, this means an arduous hour-long hike up a mountain) before heading to the airport.

I drank in the view, and look forward to returning soon. As the Kiwis say, Good on ya, Mate!