Year Two
Date: 29/9/2009 18:00
Weather: Nice, very nice
Location: South Pacific Ocean (21 27.967' S,169 38.353' E)
Author: Peter

Whenever we are at sea we try to send two emails back home to a select group each day so that someone always knows where we are, how we are traveling and if there are any problems. If we miss an email we feel confident in knowing that someone in our family will start communication with AMSA sooner than later. We think family would be more passionate about this than some stranger. Hopefully this will never happen but it is always good to be prepared when at sea. So here is the one from this afternoon.

"We are definitely not setting any speed records. In fact we are no where near hull speed. Although slow, this trip so far has been rather comfortable. We have had a BBQ lunch each day that's how smooth it is. A bit more wind would be nice but we are getting there. We passed the southern side of Vanuatu around lunch today. Otherwise there is not much to tell. We have seen very little in the way of life since we left Fiji. Perhaps we will get our first glimpse of land before nightfall tomorrow but I'm not counting on it. We are currently at 21 27.967' S,169 38.353' E traveling at 3.5 knots at 250 deg true. If my weather information is correct we should start seeing a little more breeze some time tomorrow."

It has been our smoothest crossing by far, in fact most of the boat is opened up to let air through. Our speed at the start of the trip was around 8 knots but as you can see it has dropped to almost nothing as we pass through a no mans land between weather systems. I have not yet worked out an average speed for this trip but it is dropping rapidly and it feels slow. Many other cruising boats only average 5 knots which is well below our normal 7 to 8. The first fleet boats out to Aus were lucky to average 4 so i can't wait to see what it is in a few days time.

Our days are spent either reading, knitting, sleeping or watching dvd's. With the occasional gybe as the breeze swings. The days are really warm, but we are starting to notice the nights are getting cooler as we head a little south. In Fiji we mainly slept under a sheet. In the last two days I have had to get out a sleeping bag for warmth for when I lie in my pilot birth.

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Year Two
Date: 27/9/2009 10:00
Weather: Steamy
Location: South Pacific Ocean (19 08.221' S, 174 39.831' E)
Author: Peter

We cleared out of Fiji on Friday afternoon. Once again a simple process, although there is alot of paperwork. As per usual we once again went out for a meal on our last day however this time it was lunch at the "The Northern" and we were shouted lunch by Steve and Liz as a thank you for a mount I had made them for there new radar screen. It was a perfect endto our stay in Fiji, with The Northern being a old colonial club that is apparently rather exclusive. Their prices however were notexpensive and the food was superb. We wish we had discovered this place a long time ago. We know where it is for next time though.

We then made our way back down to Saweni Bay, what a surprise spot this is. The rest of the coast is either town or industrial area but this bay has a beautiful sand beach, is well protected, smooth, has fabulous grip and gives the most amazing sunsets over it mangrove covered western side. While here we packed up the boat to go to sea and gave it a good scrub under water to help us move quicker.

We have now been out at sea for 24hrs. We left with a high situated to our south and half way between New Cal and Fiji. Our first 12 hours were light on the nose but then the breeze started to rotate to the south east and we are now moving well and on our proposed track. Apart from a shower cloud bank last night that produced winds up to 25knts and some confused water our trip has been smooth. Kylie is trying Sturgeron and at this point it seems to be working.

New Cal here we come.

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Year Two
Date: 23/9/2009 17:00
Weather: Steamy
Location: Saweni Bay (17 38.438' S, 177 23.572' E)
Author: Peter and Kylie

The weather recently has been rather weird and unpredictable. The usual south easterly trade winds have not shown themselves lately. Instead we have had either dead calm or raging storm (maybe that is a slight exaggeration but not far off). We have seen more rain in the last few weeks then we have in total over the two years of cruising. The perfect weather we had been experiencing came to an abrupt end when our guests arrived.

Alan and Linda Mara, Kylies mum and dad arrived a week ago today. Their short holiday with us has already flown by, they departed early this morning. We feel one week is just not enough. A minimum of two is what we would suggest in the future. One week aboard the boat is just rush, rush, rush. Arriving late in the day and spending a steamy night in Vuda Point Marina the weather gods decided to give Linda a baptism of fire as we made the 30 nm dash the following day. Although the conditions started out fine by the time midday came around, the wind and showers set in. Alan enjoyed the fast sailing conditions and was surprised Jura can go 8+ knots under headsail only. We recorded winds later that day up to 40knots.

The highlight of the day was earlier in the morning when we actually landed a huge wahoo. It was so large that we felt guilty as we knew allot of it would go to waste so the decision was made to return it to the sea.
wahoooooooo


We visited some new anchorages but mostly those we have previously spoken about. It wasn't all bad weather for their stay, we had two glorious days at Blue Lagoon. Alan thoroughly enjoyed the snorkeling whilst Kylie was surprised that her mum went swimming.

Alan and Kylie



finding nemo


Our kyaking adventure around the island

Linda and Alan kayaking












We have introduced another few people to the game of Mexican Train Dominoes and it has proved to be very popular. So we highly recommend you purchase a set of double twelve dominoes with the mexican train starter.

On a side note, it became apparent that we have both become tanned over the last weeks. Kylie was proud that she was browner then her mother for the first time in her life.

somewhere


Blue Lagoon


Jura in Blue Lagoon

Yesterday after a very long drift in little wind we resorted to the motor to get us back to Vuda Point. Peter has been trying to empty our fuel tank of the dirty diesel we got in Tonga, this happened a little sooner then expected with the main tank running out of fuel 10 nm short of our destination. Luckily we carry a spare a twenty litres in a jerry can otherwise we would have been at the mercy of the currents.

We are now preparing the boat for departure and looking for a weather window to make the jump to New Caledonia.

The crew from Twin Image and the Maras


Sugar cane trucks line the road into Lautoka


the best bus we have been on

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Year Two
Date: 20/9/2009 16:00
Weather: Sunny (today)
Location: Somewhere in the Yasawa Island Chain
Author: Peter

The morning of the last night the Davis's spent on board started off nicely. We picked up anchor at Blue lagoon shortly after breakfast so that we could make our way south to an anchorage close to where we were to drop them off. Shortly after exiting the lagoon we were met by a pod of dolphins who decided we would be some fun to play around for the next 10 minutes. This was the first real pod to come and join us since leaving Aus and the Davis family all crowded onto our fine bow to watch the show as they cavorted all around us even performing some aerial tricks.

Dolphin photo

Soon after they got bored with us and left I decided to put the line into the water. We were rewarded almost instantly when a large fish took off with a huge amount of line. With everyone helping to stop the boat and then watching, I proceeded to pull the fish in getting the large Wahoo right up to the back of the yacht. With everyone cheering we went to pull it aboard only to have the clip holding the lure onto the line let go. This would have been one of the largest fish I have ever caught and in our book it rates as one of the top eating fish. Pity it was not to be as it would have fed everyone.

Later that day we stopped in at Octopus for the night only to discover the electric anchor winch would not move. After dropping the anchor manually the Davis family went ashore while Kylie and I went about dismantling the winch to try and find the problem. After a careful search and some testing of wires we could only conclude that it was the motor (something I know nothing about). A good time was had by the shore party exploring the edge of the village, walking the beach and stopping in at the resort for a drink before making their way back out to the yacht for dinner and our final round of Mexican train dominoes. Matthew in the last round managed to pull off the win for the multiple day challenge with Peter D once again showing his dislike for board games by bringing up the rear. He will play if chocolate is involved.

That night it started to rain, then it poured, then it bucketed down and I mean bucketed. When we awoke we were surrounded by dark storm clouds and large sections of the beach which the Davis's had walked on were now washed away. I was started to get concerned given the wind and rain that we may not be moving but at around 11:00 there was a short break in both wind and rain so making the most of it we started to pull the anchor up manually. Wow what a pain but we eventually got there. We then sailed 5 nm around the corner to a little backpacker resort to drop them off. Their time with us flew by even though the boat must have been crowded. They could easily have stayed for longer and we could have shown them more of what life is like for us but they had to go. We hope they had a great time with us and got to see and learn some new things. The boat felt empty as soon as I sat down after setting sail back to Vuda again.

After the best sail all week we arrived at the marina late in the day amoungst a crowd of other yachts waiting to get a berth. We were the second last in line with the boat behind us being turned away saying they were full. Lucky for us we did not miss out. The next morning as soon as the workers arrived I got the local marine electrician to look at our winch. He tested it and then proceeded to pull it apart and removed the motor. The rest of the day was spent doing laundry and relaxing and re-cooperating my cold which had lasted the length of the Davis stay interfering with joining them for many activities. My Day off however did it wonders. The weather continued to reek havoc with more rain and storms.

The next day our winch motor came back having needed new brushes and we set about putting it back together which took near half a day given the humidity caused by the rain. Pulling up the anchor by hand is a pain so we are grateful that the powered winch is working once again. Pity about the expense. I need to learn how to do this job myself.

With the Mara's arriving the following day we decided to spend the night and meet them here.

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Year Two
Date: 11/9/2009 18:00
Weather: Very Windy
Location: Blue Lagoon (16 56.652' S, 177 21.991' E)
Author: Katherine with some (but not much) help from Matthew

Our family (Peter, Karen, Katherine and Matthew Davis) met Peter and Kylie through sailing in NS14's, I'm 14 and Matthew is 12. About 2 months or so ago Dad decided that we'd go and join Pete and Kylie on Jura during the September school holidays, and although it seemed like the time would never come all of a sudden we were on the plane to Fiji. We arrived on Jura about 4 days ago, the day we flew in. After we caught a cab that actually had SEAT BELTS in it, we spent the night in the marina because it was late and there was no wind.

Jura in Vuda Point Marina


The Davis Family




The next day we set off out of the swimming pool that the Fijians called the marina, and as soon as we stopped motoring and pulled the sails up we discovered that there was no wind. At all. Nothing. I got bored after about 10 minutes and jumped over the side. I'd only managed to make one lap around the boat in the 60m deep water when the call went up that Matthew was going to the toilet. I evacuated the water fast. Good work Matthew. Especially since we weren't going anywhere. At all. Backwards, maybe.

Very little breeze


We eventually gave up and ended up motoring about 10nm of our 28nm journey to Navadra, which was gorgeous, particularly in the sunset and early morning. The coral wasn't great though but the fish were gorgeous. Much to the amusement of Pete and Kylie watching from Jura I attempted to open a coconut. After half an hour of throwing it against rocks and jumping on it, I gave up. Matthew and Mum got sea sick that night due to the massive swell that was rolling into the bay. And someone stole Matthew's bathers during the night. We suspect it was a certain Mr Wind.

The next day bought a gale with it, and we bashed our way into the wind to Naviti. It was a solid 20-25 knots, gusting around 30. It was pretty wild, and as we motored into the bay we saw that the locals had a massive fire burning out of control along the foreshore. By dark they had it under control, though. There was a coral reef in the middle of the bay that we swam over to, and the coral was awesome (and alive, not like at Navadra) but the visibility was shocking. This was the night that Pete introduced us to Mexican Train Dominoes. Dad still hasn't won a game, and has decided that it is the worst game in history. Matthew chose the movie. "Don't mess with the Zohan"... the adults didn't appreciate it.

By the next day the wind had picked up again and Pete gave us 3 choices: stay where we were, go around the corner to the next bay, or make a dash to Blue Lagoon through the 30 knot gale that was whipping the water into white horses. Option 3, of course, say Mum and Dad. We were making a solid 8 knots to windward under just a jib, and getting saturated. When we arrived in Blue Lagoon, after discovering that it was over run by cruise ships, we went to shore to have lunch. Pete then stayed on the beach to rest his coldy/fluy thingy that he had collected somewhere as Kylie, Mum, Dad, Matthew and I went for a hike over the island to find the famous cake shop. Apparently the Fijians have never heard of making a track going from A to B in a straight line via the easiest route, eg: on the flat. It was at least 35 degrees C as we hiked up the hugest mountain in the world. Ok, so maybe it was a hill. Probably less than 50m high. But it was huge! We appeared out the other side of the island in a tiny place where we couldn't tell the village from the supposed resort that was there. We wandered along the beach until we stumbled across the cake shop. We walked into the dark shed, found the cat sitting on the table, ordered and got some huge slabs of packet cake that was quite tasty. The cat cleaned up the table afterwards, and we got on our way.



Blue Lagoon






Pete chose the movie. It was probably even worse than Matthew's... Mum and Kylie both fell asleep.

Today was the most relaxing day I've ever experienced. We lounged around the boat for the first part of the day until Mum and Dad got the kayak out and disappeared around the corner, never to be seen again. Well, they came back eventually but they took their time, going against the head wind. Because Mum and Dad didn't trust Matthew and I to go kayaking by ourselves, I had to go with Mum and then Matthew with Dad.

Katherine and Karen kayaking

Lunch was scones with jam and cream. The Davis' headed into shore for some light snorkeling, but Mum and Dad got cold and had to go roast themselves on the beach. So much for hardy Tasmanian's. Matthew stayed in the water the whole time and got sand through his pants, so he had to go for a nudie swim when we got back to the boat. Well, a nudie swim in his pants (say 'pants' in a British accent).

Katherine and Matthew


Another game of dominoes finished off the day. 2 more days to go...

Dolphins showing off


Sunset at Octopus, last night of the Davis' stay


Jura at Octopus

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hello everyone
we have uploaded pictures for all the Fiji blogs so scroll back through

kylie and pete

Year Two
Date: 5/9/2009 16:30
Weather:Overcast
Location: Vuda Point Marina (17 40.882' S, 177 23.195' E)
Author: Peter

Hello everybody, sorry about the long delays but we now have our sailmail back up and running properly on the spare lap top. Because the spare lap top is run on vista we had to wait to get to an internet cafe to get some updates to help it run properly. We found a great place in Lautoka that only cost $1 an hour. We also apologize for any discrepancies in flow, but we have lost all the old journal entries on the yacht so we did not know where we were up to.

Moving on, we dropped Mum and Dad off yesterday after what we think was a nice relaxing week for them both. No one was sick, they got plenty of time to sit and read or catch a fish. They both went swimming, Mum did some snorkeling and they both enjoyed a paddle in the Kayak whilst up in the Blue Lagoon. Dad does however need to remember to reapply sun screen as the sun can do its damage rather quickly.

Izolda snorkelling

In an effort to keep things short we sailed from Malolo Island (Musket Cove) all the way up to the Blue Lagoon in the Yasawa's, stopping at many different and varied anchorages. At least half of this time was spent avoiding some strong winds which put pay to some of our regular exploring ashore. On the numerous beach walks mum did some shell collecting whilst Dad went straight for the coconut trees. He loved to collect the young green coconuts up the tree by poking them with a long stick. He would then sit for a while with the machete cutting their tops off so he could drink the contents.

After arriving back at Vuda Point, Mum and Dad took us out to Nadi for a wonderful Indian meal at the Sitar restaurant. I just wish I could cook food that tasted this delicious. The food was smooth with the curries having a nice even blend of spices that makes it so easy to love (all of my curries have more of a bite). I especially liked the Ceylon inspired curry.

We would love to have more visits like this more regularly but we understand the expenses involved. It is just sad to see them go again as it only feels like yesterday that they arrived. Their stay just seemed to fly by.

Since then we have done a little shopping in preparation for our next set of guests to arrive. The Davis's fly in on Monday and we are looking forward to spending a good week of exploring with them. Until then we plan to do a little relaxing ourselves interspersed with some cleaning and maintenance.
One months worth of tropical growth

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