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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