Looping NZ Style: Saturday Night out et al

I know this is a little ass backwards, but Im sure you can follow along!

The swimming pool at Portofino Marina.

This is Portofino Marina just across Clear Creek from the entry to our Marina.

Katie and Dean are moored here.

Last night Katie and dean turned up around 5.30pm and we enjoyed a quick drink on the boat before heading out to the Cock and Bull, just up the road. They had kindly brought us some boutique beer Katie's future son-in-law had helped make, which Waz enjoyed, though a little heavy on the hops for his liking.
Dean had arrived back in Houston at 3am yesterday morning. He drives down from where he works just north of Dallas/Ft Worth every friday night to spend the weekend with katie on their 42ft yacht, which they live aboard...two years now!
Dean has worked for General Motors for the past 37 years, and the couple are originally from Michigan, and were happy when Dean was transferred down here...well, to Tx. They are looking forward to retiring within the year and spending time sailing...all over. Not sure if they will do inter-continental, but certainly from here to the Abacos, Bahama, and Florida over the winter...where we might see them again in both places. They are great company!
The Cock and Bull is owned, as I have said, by an Aussie born woman and her English Husband. We met Jeanette last night, which was great...she didnt know whether we were supposed to like each other (the aussie/kiwi thing!), but decided to put aside the trans-tasman argument for a nice welcome.
This is Pub Food, remember!
Dean ordered the Bangers and Mash, which he said they import from the Uk..bangers, that is. Katie ordered the Sirloin with blue cheese (came with Mash), Waz ordered the English curry with Couscous (Morrocan) and I ordered the pork chops with mash and apple chutney.
Well, Dean enjoyed his bangers, and Katie enjoyed her Steak. Waz somewhat enjoyed his curry, though said is was VERY mild. The pork chop was Texas sized and came on the bone. It was moist and just pink inside.The chutney...well, far too little of it and no raisins...to me the best part of chutney. All the meals came with chewy brussels sprouts. Now, tell me....who in their right mind makes brussels sprouts the vege of the day?? There was so much food on our plates...we didnt just get half a dozen small sprouts...these too were texas sized and half a plate full.
The mash was too much, so I didnt eat much of it, but thoroughly enjoyed the pork chop.
Apparently they have had trouble finding adequate chefs, but were happy to have found a good one. Well, that is debatable. No garnish at all! Am I being picky? no. We have had a stunning Thai meal locally and for the same money, we would go back there rather than the pub. A bit disappointing really. Anyway, the company was excellent and we enjoyed the evening out:)

After breakfast this morning, we decided to go around to the fuel dock (around the other side of the marina) and see what their price for Diesel is. Un/fortunately, just as we arrived they got really busy. It made a great spectator sport:)

The Fuel dock at the entry to the Marina

This dog looked to be enjoying itself on the paddle board.

Even the seagulls were hot! It was 93F by this time (noon)

I love these pontoon boats, or Party Barges..perfect for the family:)

One of the staff at the fuel dock was measuring out live bait for clients. These are shrimp (prawns) kept in a big pool. One escaped and waz had great trouble picking it up and putting it back. They jump really well...and are very slippery things. Cant think it is at all pleasant for them to be hooked and dropped overboard as bait for bigger fish.

Speaking of which. We were having breakfast on the flydeck yesterday and heard a splash. This in itself isnt at all uncommon...in fact, it happens all the time with these Shad jumping to escape their larger preditors. We looked down to see the most enormous fish alongside the neighboring boat. This thing was at least 5ft long and LARGE around. Gave us a bit of a fright, actually, as most of the Shad that we see are no more than 1-2ft at the most. They 'clean' the waterline of the boats and floating docks around the marina. Quite fascinating to watch, and we cannot understand why people would catch them to eat. The water in the marina is disgusting, and these things live here! blech!

I have spoken a few times of where the Clear Creek meets Clear Lake. This is the point at which the No Wake zone ends and the Lake opens up.

This fascinating boat WAS a yacht, but the owner keeps working on it here at the dock on Clear Creek(part of the Marina). She is aptly names, methinx :)

On our way back to the boat from the fuel dock we passed this rather picturesque bike outside the swimming pool.

Time for a cuppa and nap. Today is a day off. Warren is listening to 'traffic' on the radio to become familiar with the accents...especially of the tug captains language...most of whom appear to be from Louisiana..!It is really hard to understand them, and we dont want to get on the 'wrong side' of them, especially when we are forced to pass them on the Intracoastal waterway. They PUSH their barges (despite being called 'tows') , and these things are the equivalent of two or three cargo ships long...going 5knots.

Below is a gorgeous Chris Craft that I know you boating enthusiasts will fully appreciate. We went by Veronica and Roys boat to say hello after our tour to the Fuel dock. This is a new neighbor for them:)