Sunday 21 September 2008: Seawater And Ice

Author Tessa Duder was taken aback when an eight-year-old fan once pointed out that most of her books are about water. He was right says Tessa, but it hadn't occurred to her. To prove the point the book she's working on right now is about water - of the icy kind.

In her youth Tessa was a champion swimmer. As a life long Aucklander she's had an on going love affair with the Hauraki Gulf. After marrying into an old seafaring family she spent many years sailing in large yachts and small. And for thirty years she's been involved with the Spirit of Adventure Trust which takes young New Zealanders on sea voyages to self discovery. David Steemson talks to Tessa in her studio and goes down to the sea with her to the barquentine 'Spirit of New Zealand' as the latest young recruits prepare to sail.