Home Safe and Sound

We arrived back home on Thursday 2nd July on the French Navy Patrol Warship La Glorieuse, adding an unexpected but exciting end to our adventure from the children’s perspective. We’re sorry to have lost our beloved Carenza to the bottom of the sea, but grateful to have all our family safe and well.

Charles will post his report as to what happened and the damage caused to the bulkhead and keel, which resulted in him requesting for us to be taken off the vessel, once the insurance have finished with their assessment. In the meantime, check the media coverage via the internet links listed below.

We have to say that we never felt ‘terrified’, there were some scary moments, but we prayed together as a family and felt calm and protected at all times, and we could feel the prayers of others on our behalf.

Are we put off sailing? Absolutely not, we were managing fine in the storm, it was horrible weather, big seas, crashing waves and wet, but that’s all part of sailing; and we’ve had the most fantastic holiday and the adventure of a lifetime.

Hopefully we’ll soon be able to post some photos on the blog for you to see, now we’re back in the land of fast and working internet access!

A big thank you to all our family and friends for your support before our trip, during our time away (in the form of heartfelt prayers) and especially after it all went down. We are gradually picking up the pieces and returning to life as normal.

Joy


Here’s the hyperlinks, hope they still work, this is rapidly becoming old news (thank goodness!):

Josh & Tom’s interview:
http://www.3news.co.nz/TVShows/CampbellLive/Terrifying-three-days-on-the-high-seas/tabid/367/articleID/111045/cat/84/Default.aspx#video

Scoophttp://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0907/S00015.htm
TelevisionTV1http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tvnz_smartphone_story_skin/2823543http://images.tvnz.co.nz/tvnz_video/windows/one_news/6pm_rescue_020709_128k.asxTV3articlehttp://www.3news.co.nz/News/NationalNews/NZ-family-rescued-by-French-warship-arrive-back-home/tabid/423/articleID/110945/cat/64/Default.aspxvideohttp://www.3news.co.nz/Video/National/tabid/309/articleID/110945/cat/64/Default.aspx#videoNZ Herald Tribune article http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10582223video http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1&gal_objectid=10582223&gallery_id=106262Nelson Mailhttp://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/national-news/2560876/Homework-goes-to-bottom-of-the-sea-with-family-yachtyahoohttp://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/5694676/family-with-six-children-rescued-from-yacht/

Day 61

Tuesday 30th June 2009

Position 30deg 57min South, 173deg 53min East

Boat speed 5-6kts, bearing 175deg true

Beating windward for 3 days in winds of 20-30 knots gusting 40plus, swells of 4 to 6 meters, have seen the odd ten meter one, waves continually breaking over and flooding the cockpit. Currently 360 Nautical Miles from Auckland, with the weather unlikely to change, we are all feeling sick, but surviving.

Josh

Day 58

Saturday 27th June 2009

Position 26deg 05min South, 178deg 15min East

Winds 10 to 15kts North Easterly, heading 230 true at a boat speed of 5 to 6 kts. We�ve had a reasonable day with a few showers � somehow this time the trip feels a lot slower and we are keen to be home. It�s a long way. We are looking forward to a more northerly wind shift tomorrow and an increase in boat speed. This dead down wind sailing under head sail although easy has an unpleasant motion, and the kids have spent most of the day sleeping with the lethargy that comes with a bit of sea sickness. SkipperIts true time goes quite slowly, it seems there are only 3 things to do on board, sleep, stare aimlessly at the empty horizon or cough up your guts overboard. Not quite, but the days just seem to plod by. Dads been great, picking up our slack when we sleep, and is reading Ella Enchanted to keep us entertained. However it is frustrating to know we will only be home in a week. I�d better find something todo or I might loose my mind :PMissing home a lot, although it is good to be with my family.Josh (with Emma over my shoulder)

Day 57

Friday 26th June 2009

Position 24deg 23min South, 179deg 45min West

We�re nearly back in the Eastern Hemisphere. Made South Minerva at about 9.30 am winds were blowing a good 20 to 30kts with a lumpy sea. We dropped anchor and went for a swim and made the vessel shipshape. We changed the head sail from no 3 back to the number 2 and left by midday. It was great to show Josh this awesome spot albeit for only a short period. The weather however was not great and it was overcast but Josh enjoyed it. The wind has shifted to the North East and has slowed somewhat so the seas are not bad but we are presently under motor to try and keep our daily averages up. Mum took the opportunity to make dinner while in Minerva and we had a good breakfast of omelet sandwiches. We have been doing shift of 3 on 6 off but no one seems to be sleeping 6 hours so we will try 2 on 4 off tonight and see how it goes. The temperature has certainly dropped and the crew are wearing thermals under their wet weather gear. Boy are they in for a surprise in a few days time. Could just make out Black Adder on the radio � they are very nearly home. We also hear from Robin and Rick on Endangered species they are happily in Musket cove � wish we were too. It was also good to keep an all important sked with Sunstone this morning to discuss weather with Tom.- we essentially will have a low approach as we arrive north of New Zealand and the winds will turn westerly then south westerly � hopefully we will reach the top of the North Island in time. It might also require us to make for Opua instead of Auckland but we will know closer to the time.

Skipper

Day 56

Thursday 25th June 2009

Position: 23deg 49min South, 179deg 00min West

A lumpy day at sea for all of us. Tom and Emma were sick and all of us felt queasy. Making good time towards South Minerva. Made about 160nm in the last 24 hours.

Matt

Day 55

Wednesday 24th June 2009

21deg 20min South, 175 deg 41min West

Final day � walk into town to immigration to have the passports stamped and fill in forms. Vatuni picked me as I was leaving and off to the Harbour Authority to pay money and get a receipt and then off to customs (yet another building) to show stamped passports receipt for harbour fees, and get our clearance certificate to show to customs in NZ. We filled the advance arrival form for NZ and asked Vatuni to fax for us. Sad goodbyes to Vatuni as he and his family have been very good to us. We cast off our stern lines and picked up our anchor and off we went to Pangimotu to anchor and swim and clean the hull. Josh and the kids went ashore to have one last tropical island experience (first for Josh) and we weighed anchor for the last time in Tonga 1:15pm (TST). The winds are South Easterly and the sea still rough with swells 4 to 6 meters with a few cross swells. The winds are 25 kts gusting over 30 and we have settled into the night with a triple reefed main and a storm jib making a good 6kts. We all feel a bit sea sick and so no dinner just something to drink and some snacks. We are aware of not so good weather up ahead � our plan is to go to Minerva to show Josh if we pass in daylight. Then make our way to a position 30South 172East above NZ and hopefully thereby be in a position to handle the Westerlies we are expecting (which no doubt will become Southerlies in due course)

Skipper

oh and thankyou grandad and granny jo for the caterpillar juice. its going down a treat. just what we needed.

Day 54

Tuesday 23rd June 2009

Nuku�alofa Harbour

Tuesday was spent doing some final shopping (everything is a mission), we even managed to squeeze in another 10liters of diesel. (Tongan diesel is a high sulpher diesel and realy smells). The weather is still overcast with the odd bit of rain � reflecting our mood about leaving. But we are all excited about picking Josh up from the airport. Vatuni arrived later in the afternoon and helped with some final stuff and off to the airport. A cold wind blew from the South and we were surprisingly cold. So much excitement to see Josh (who had left his booking till late and ended up getting a business class seat at my expense much to his delight and my ��) The children stayed up late into the night talking.

Skipper

Day 53

Monday 22nd June 2009

Nuku�alofa Harbour

The winds came up and the floods come down � we filled all our spare water containers from the rain. We kept threatening to drag our anchor as all the vessels are stern moored (Mediterranean style) in the small craft harbour and the wind was coming from our port side. I kept getting up and checking � in the small hours of the morning the first vessel dragged anchor into the vessel next to her � I got Matt up and off we went to their assistance, borrowed a danforth anchor from the next door vessel and joined a number of ropes and dinghied the anchor up wind into the harbour and then used this as a kedge to winch the offending vessel off the other. Then took out their main anchor as well. We then noticed another vessel in danger and found an old man on board who was battling to manage his vessel � he looked like he was having a heart attack but assured me that he only had a broken rib from a previous fall. Matt and I set his kedge and winched him off and set his other anchor as well. Then off to wake the crew of Soulmate to warn them that their vessel was running aground. We helped them reset their anchors. The rest of the day as spent trying to catch up on sleep, do some minor repairs and down load weather information from an internet caf� to start preparing for the trip home.

A pleasant evening was spent having drinks and a chat on Soulmate.

We�re exhausted and a bit apprehensive about the decision to sail back soon. � I need a crystal ball that�s what I need.

Skipper

Day 52

Sunday 21st June 2009

Nuku�alofa Harbour

I was woken around 23H55 last night to the sound of sirens and vehicles close by and jumped up to check what was happening. All I could see was flashing lights and a raging fire just a few boats along the harbour wall from where we were tied up. Everyone else was snoring soundly, so I woke the skipper and we watched for a while trying to work out what was happening. We had thought that if the wind direction changed, bringing the smoke any closer we might have to quickly cut our ties, up anchor and head out of the harbour. However, the smoke did not come too close. It looked as though they were allowing the fire to burn itself out, as long as it was contained to the one location, we later saw firemen boarding another vessel and hosing it down, we think that must�ve been to keep that vessel safe. This morning we took a look at it, the fire was a bit further along the wall than we had thought, but had completely destroyed the wooden superstructure of a vessel that was owned by one of the churches and had just undergone an upgrade, and they had obviously hosed down a neighbouring vessel to protect it.

Vatuni kindly came to collect us at 8am this morning to go to Liahona High School 1st Ward along with his family. We discovered there are two wards that meet at the high school and that the boarders are divided between the two wards. Emma and Matt thought this was great as there were so many youth attending church. We enjoyed the best sacrament meeting ever! The whole of Vatuni�s family of seven, the Fifita�s, spoke and sang, along with about four other youth. They all spoke on the principle of tithing and it was wonderful. As it is an English speaking school, the service was all in English and it was great to be able to understand everything! The children all enjoyed their lessons, as did Charles and I. As we have experienced every time we�ve attended church, no matter where we were, the children were warmly welcomed in their classes and made new friends.

Vatuni�s wife, Fehi, had kindly made us a delicious lunch of roast chicken, carrots, yummy purple Hawaiian sweet potato with gravy, salad and watermelon, which we enjoyed with their family. It was soo good and they were excellent hosts. It was so good to chat to them and discover more of the challenges and blessings that families face here in Tonga. The children enjoyed the company of their children: Abraham, Palu, Junior, Tutoe and Melemoala.

They came back to the boat with us and we were looking forward to showing them around on board, only we discovered that the windward stern mooring line (that had been tied on by a nameless member of the crew), had come adrift! We found our vessel about to nudge the vessel on the leeward side and our dinghy up on the rocks against the wall. We left our guests on the shore, while the Skipper, aided by Tom, Emma and Matt, along with two other boaties in their dinghies powered with little 2hp engines, who attempted to act as tug boats to assist us to re-anchor and turn the boat against the wind to pick up our stern lines again. Skipper�s ego took a big hit, having previously done this twice before faultlessly and unaided! Oh, where were the onlookers then?!! Skipper will be providing remedial knot classes for the crew in the near future!! We brought our guests aboard and showed them round while Matt made hot chocolate for everyone. We enjoyed chatting some more and thanked them for making our Sabbath very special. After they�d left, Charles went walking along the embankment to thank again those that had helped us re-anchor, we�d had the tropical rain cover on since yesterday hoping for rain to fill our empty water tanks, however, despite being cool and overcast today, we didn�t see any rain. As always, keeping his eyes open for every opportunity, he spotted someone filling their water tanks and was advised that they had collected it from the custom�s office water tank. They kindly offered to lend us their water jerry cans and Matt and Charles did a couple of runs until we too have full water tanks on board. See, the Lord did provide! He�s continuing to provide too, as, since we�ve filled up, it�s started to rain � now we�re excited, we might even get a freshwater shower tonight! We are now trying to use as little as possible so we can have enough food and water etc to last us for two weeks til we get home. Abby and Rebekah had a little play with the children from Wellington that were on the boat that lent us the jerry cans, a 54ft chico called Soulmate built by Keith Eade for himself, the same boatbuilder as built our boat.

Joy

Day 51

Saturday 20th June 2009
Nuku�alofa small craft harbour, Tongatapu

We picked up anchor early to anchor stern to in the harbour and set to with the reprovisioning of the boat and changing of the engine oil etc preparatory to leaving for NZ on Tuesday. There are quite a few boats in the harbour, most just arriving to enjoy their time in Tonga, seems like it�s just us going home. It�s the first time we�ve been in town on a Saturday and there are markets everywhere and a huge selection of fresh fruits and veges. Shopping just takes forever though, as we have to carry everything back to the boat ourselves and we have to go to different shops to get different things. Can�t wait to get back to the ease of NZ�s supermarkets and trying out the new Pak n Save! Each trip to the shops brought back several bags of groceries or in Matt and Dad�s case, fuel, and Tom ferried us across the harbour in the dinghy so we didn�t have to walk so far. Abby and I caught a bus back from town on one of our excursions, 60c each, we were just relieved when, after taking an unexpected scenic route, we found ourselves at our correct destination! We managed to find somewhere to buy takeaway fish and chips which we shared as a treat and hopefully will only have to get a few more groceries next week to ensure they will last for the trip home. We�re so going to appreciate oranges when we get back, they�re $2.50 each here!! We�ve put up our tropical rain cover and are praying for rain to fill our water tanks, as the last time we filled up with water here, for $23, it tasted awful. If we�re not successful with that, we�ll have to pay for a bowser to come and fill up our water tanks which is $50 plus a 45c/litre cost, hopefully it�ll taste good at that price, but rainwater is our preferred option. We turned in early tonight after a busy day and are all tired.

Joy

Day 50

Friday 19th June 2009

Pangaimotu Island, Tongatapu

Woke up early this morning and left for Nuku�alofa in a SE of 25 knots with moderate sea swells. 15 hours of hard sailing. Mum managed to make pancakes for breakfast just as we left. We had to tack and beat into wind all the way into Nuku�alofa with waves crashing over the boat. Me and Dad hand steered most of the way. Tom was the only one that was sick though we were all feeling pretty queasy. Mum made some omletes when we arrived at about 2 in the morning. We were all pretty hungry as no one had been up to eating much underway.

Matt

Day 49

Thursday 18th June 2009 19:00

Position: 19deg 56 min South, 174deg 43min West �Ha�afeva Island

The winds have not played ball with us. This morning we woke around 3am with the sound of rain � and no, we didn�t have the energy to put the rain catcher up (we should have and I regret it now) � The wind however had changed to the West and our cosy little anchorage in Uiha Island in 3m of water was, all of a sudden, not so much fun. With lots of shoal areas and coral heads, we were in no position to move, so sat it out and moved in daylight. The winds have swung around to the South West now and we have decided to sit out the night at Ha�afeva hoping for more favourable conditions in the morning. We hope that the winds will have moved to the South East but whatever we find, unless it�s a gale, we will make our way further south. At Ha�afeva we have swum again and done some snorkeling and the younger children have found some friends on the only other vessel here (a large cat called Twin Image). We definitely feel like we are making our way home � we were last here a month ago.

Skipper

Day 48

Wednesday 17th June 2009

Uoleva Island, Ha�apai

We picked up our anchor at 8.30am to make our way further south through the islands, so many places we�d love to go and our time is running out fast now. We�re feeling sad as we can feel it all coming to an end, though the kids are looking forward to seeing their friends again. As there was no wind to head south, Charles steered us through a narrow coral channel, with Matt as lookout, round to Uiha Island, we dropped anchor at 10am and went ashore to explore. We walked through Uiha village, a very pretty village with beautifully kept gardens and street lights on the dirt roads. This is the first island away from the main centres that has had electric street lights. Some of the houses had fairy lights outside, so we presumed they might�ve had electricity too, but all houses had outside cookhouses, so we�re not sure whether it was just a few who had electricity or just electric lighting. The electricity was cabled underground. Uiha has quite a lot of history, the royal tombs are in this village and there are two beautifully painted turreted churches here. We continued walking through to the village of Felemea looking for the uncle of a friend of ours from church. As luck would have it, the first house we asked where Manu Masima lived was his house! We were introduced to his family and invited to a dance and feast this Friday to welcome their daughter back from her mission. Unfortunately won�t be here for that, and maybe that�s a good thing as we might�ve been expected to eat the turtle that had been caught and was still alive, tied up and lying on its back so it couldn�t get away. The turtle was about 1m wide and the first one most of us had seen this holiday and we were so sad to see it treated this way. It was a prized catch for them and, without refrigeration, the best way to keep it fresh was to keep it alive as long as possible. They turned it over for us to see its shell, it was so strong it moved quickly towards the sea, so it was placed on its back again to restrain it. The water was beautifully clear to snorkel in. We joined the crew of the only other boat here, a cat called Aorere for dinner on the beach. We bbq�d boerewors on the boat and took it ashore to share. They cooked green bananas and yams on a fire and served it with a spicy peanut sauce. It was very heavy to eat and whilst we chatted and learned more about cooking local foods over a fire, but we�d have preferred our boat dried mash potato and peas! And we made a gracious early retreat to return to the boat and fill up on delicious pancakes and syrup!.

Skipper

Day 47

Tuesday 16th June 2009

Ha�ano & Uoleva Islands, Ha�apai

We arrived at Ha�ano Island, the most northerly island in the Ha�apai group around 10.30am. Excellent snorkeling was found in the bay with beautiful coral and plenty of fish, and we explored the island around the beach. We wished we had more time to stay, but we were keen to keep going further south to find an anchorage for the night. We caught a small tuna on the lure on the way, and are looking forward to sushimi tomorrow. We arrived at Uoleva Island around 4pm and went ashore for a walk on the beach, exploring the other end of the island from the previous time we were here. This island has the most beautiful sandy beach running all around the island and is your typical tropical paradise. We found a fabulous new resort there, Serenity Beaches, run by an American lady Patti and a Tongan, Semi. They have five beautiful Thai-style fales that look out over the beach on either side of the island and a lovely main dining/social area. They advertise over the internet HYPERLINK "http://www.serenitybeaches.com" www.serenitybeaches.com and we were very impressed. A great place for a �get away from it all�, unsophisticated, but comfortable, romantic or quiet holiday. We enjoyed chatting to them so much, and being taken on a tour of the place, that we got back to the dinghy well after dark, fortunately we were the only yacht anchored off the island and Matt had put our anchor light on to guide us back. Charles had a wash off the duckboard before tea, but wished he hadn�t soaped up after seeing things that glowed in the dark in the sea! It�s different from phosphorescence, they looked almost alien, round or oblong things that would glow an eerie blue every now and again, out in the sea, we haven�t discovered whether they�re fish or jellyfish, anyway, it was the quickest wash he�s had yet � he didn�t spend a second longer in the water than he had to!

Joy

Day 46

Monday 15th June 2009

Neiafu, Vava�u

Well today was really busy as we spent it shopping (who knew shopping was such hard work!) we had to walk all over town to get everything we needed as we can�t get everything at the same place. We had so many things to get like milk, flour, cokes (for dad!) and other essential items. The stuff was really expensive! Like popcorn kernels in a 250g bag was $8!!!! And chocolate $13 for a bar!!! CRAZY!!!!! So we shopped all day and carried huge watermelons and cases of coke back to the dingy (which flooded when we all got in � matt fixed it the next day!). Mum and dad treated all us kids to dinner at The Mermaid Bar we had hamburgers and chips which were REALLY good!!! We said goodbye to all our friends and then at about 10:30pm we upped anchor and left Vava�u to head south to the Ha�apai islands and ultimately back to Nuku�alofa, Tongatapu before leaving Tonga for home! Me and Matt�s shift was at 2-6 in the morning it was sooooo long we spent the entire time singing to songs and talking. It was fun till bekah nearly threw up on the floor. O well!! It was a good night.

Emma

Day 45

Sunday 14th June 2009

Port Maurelle

Today was a great day all round. Tom made friends with a boy his age called William off a large super launch anchored in the bay. We were then offered a ride on their jetski that they keep on board. So we spent the morning taking turns riding on this jetski with a max speed of about 150km/h. After that William took out a sea biscuit and attached it to the back of the jetski. And once again we took turns trying to hold on for as long as possible while hurtilling across the water at insane speeds. Both me and tom have bruises where we came off the biscuit and were thrown across the water. We said goodbye to our friends Kate and Sarah from Avant Garde who fly back home to NZ early tomorrow morning and spent the rest of the day snorkeling around the bay with William (who also unfortunately flys back to NZ tomorrow aswell). For dinner we had stirfry and invited Mike from Tusitalla and Mike from Acocoamo (not sure if that�s how you spell it). Mum also had Dad stitch up her finger. She got two stitches without anaesthetic.

Matt

Day 44

Saturday 13th June 2009
Port Maurelle

A bell started ringing in the village at 6.15am, at first we were surprised that it only rang about four times if it was meant to wake everyone up � we felt we could easily have slept through that, however, more bells joined in and they continued ringing on and off for about 10 minutes announcing the start of the day to everyone. Many churches a single bell under a covered area on the ground, but often empty gas cylinders suffice as bells.
We watched as lights turned on in the houses as it was still dark and the moon was still out. The bit that impressed us the most though, was that at 6.20am we heard numerous voices cheering joyfully, it only lasted a couple of minutes, we could only think it was a great way to welcome the new day. Abby and Joy felt that we should do that at home but, apart from the fact that it would take some practicing to get everyone up at the stroke of the bell, the neighbours might think we�ve finally gone nuts!! Joy and Tom were up early to snorkel the false entrance of the lagoon and discovered great snorkeling on the far side of the gap with wonderful coral valleys and plenty of reef fish. It was a beautiful sunny day and the water was warm at 8am. Em and Abby went back with Joy so as not to miss out, despite being asleep previously, they agreed it was worth getting up for. We left the Hunga Lagoon at high tide and made our way under jib to Sisia Island. This island is not far from Port Maurelle. It�s small and uninhabited and has a lovely beach on the western side. Here we stopped for lunch and snorkeled. Matt took Emma for some scuba lessons � She�s doing very well and can comfortably take her mask off and on etc at 15m, and enjoyed doing somersaults and handstands on the seabed! Rebekah finally discovered that she was able to stay afloat and swim in her snorkel and flippers out of her depth without her lifejacket. This was a pivotal point for her and she enjoyed snorkeling around looking at blue starfish, orange finger coral and beautiful coloured reef fish without being afraid. We�ve had a good day and are anchored in Port Maurelle for the night. Mum cut her finger during dinner preparations, so Matt finished off cooking a delicious butter chicken curry and Mum got waited on, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Matt also washed up � and we have the photo to prove it.

Skipper

Day 43

Friday 12th June 2009

Hunga Island: north anchorage no.13, off Hunga village, in the Lagoon

Day 42

Thursday 11th June 2009
Port Maurelle

Today we got word of a whale in the channel near Mariner�s Cave, so we set off on Avant Garde along with the crew of Red Thread to go and find it. We could see it�s blow from a far and we headed in. Avant Garde have a much better engine than us and so chased it so well that we caught up with the whale. We then spent over an hour just enjoying watching the humpback whale repeatedly surface, blow and dive. We got quite close on a number of occasions, cutting our engine, and just watching the majesty of this beautiful mammal, the only noise being its breath and our whoops and cheers of delight; it even swam under the boat checking us out and we could see its white underside as it breached. What a thrill! This whale is here early in the season, the whales mainly come in during July and August to calve up here and whale watching is a big tourist business. We had thought we might miss out on seeing them, returning home so soon, so this was a real bonus. As it was over lunchtime, I�d taken along some home made bread dough, tuna, cooldrink and papaya and Marion baked the two loaves in her oven while we watched the whale, and then treated us to a lovely lunch on board on our return. They are lovely people, who also have their own island! Oyster Island near Espirito Santo, Vanuatu; the Island Cruising Association are all stopping in there after Fiji on their 6 month Pacific Tour, hopefully we�ll sail there someday too. Rebekah, Abby & Tom spent the rest of the afternoon on Red Thread, cleaning their boat in return for the treat of watching a movie onboard afterwards! Tom�s choice of Star Wars won, not sure that the little girls enjoyed it as much though. Matt and Emma were returned from Kairos in the early evening, we were sad to say our farewells to Kairos as our association with Abbey and her parents has made our holiday. They left for Fiji at midnight, to make the best of the good winds, for their three day trip over. Charles was sorely tempted to take off for Fiji, we have the charts and we had initially planned to go there, however we decided to stick with our current game plan and make the most of Tonga, we�ll just have to do Fiji another time!

Joy

Day 41

Wednesday 10th June 2009

Port Maurelle

The crew slept in late. The day was funny with quite a number of showers and strong gusts of winds. Kairos is planning to leave tomorrow for Fiji, and the teenagers on board are sad. Its amazing how short and intense these relationships are, when you are so isolated. I�ve had my arm twisted to let the two oldest return to Neafu with Kairos as she fills up with diesel and water and clears customs � we will make some plans to retrieve them tomorrow or the next day. The younger crew are happy as not only do they have the friends from Red Thread but Tusitala has arrived with more little people. Joy and I looked after the young people from both theses vessels for the afternoon to ensure that their respective adults could get to Mariners Cave.

We have momentary entertained the thought of joining the few boats that are going now to Fiji � it would be fun but we are coming to the end our trip and this would entail nearly a week all told of sailing and officialdom etc. So we have reluctantly stuck to our plans for making our way back to Nuku�alofa. We will have some fronts with Northerlies coming through Sunday that we will wait to pass over us before making our way down to do some more exploring of the Hapai group on the way down. We are missing Josh a lot and are looking forward to have him join the crew for the trip home.

We are impressed by the number of people who we have met that have sold their all, quit their jobs and careers and sunk all into their vessels and their trip. They sail until all their money has run out and then intend to return and sell their vessels and start again. This is a major commitment but we take only our experiences with us and the memories of the people we have touched with us when leave this earth. Its funny because when you speak to the land lovers they see the wealthy out cruising but the vast majority have no other asset on the planet except their boats � so when misfortune strikes in the form of major repair this has a huge impact on their cruising budgets and plans.

Skipper