10/06/2008, 100nm from Lau Group of Fiji
It was not without a little sadness that we realised last night that we were sailing into our first sunset. All previous sunsets have been on the stern or on the port quarter. I think we have turned a major corner and from now on we will be making westing rather than easting. But enough of the romantic stuff. Lets talk about the weather. We were supposed to have nice SE trade winds for this passage but the South Pacific Convergence Zone has put paid to that. Basically we are sailing in the doldrums. So lots of motoring and then an occasional 32 knot squall. This was particularly interesting as we were fully rigged with the jib poled out at the time. The autopilot jumped overboard leaving Andrea at the helm. The look on her face was priceless. So it was reefs in, reefs out, pole out, pole in, blah blah. So just as well we topped off the tanks back in Vavau. Diesel is quite expensive there as indeed is everything. However, I was most impressed watching the superyacht Janice of Wyoming tied up to the dock a few metres in front of us. They were putting in 10,000 litres. That has got to give your credit card pause for thought. We hope to enter the passage through the Lau group of islands tomorrow morning, inshallah. Some wind would be good as well. We are both well and are looking forward to a more first world experience in Fiji.
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10/06/2008, 110nm west of Vava'u
After looking at various weather models, it was deemed auspicious to make a dash for Fiji. Neiafu was stinking hot and it took us the best part of the day to tidy the boat, stow the gear, clear customs and top up the diesel. Diomedea set off for the 400nm passage to Savusavu via the Lau group. We had easterly breeze, right up the clacker, and rode this well with a wung out jib. Then came the rain and off went the breeze. We have motored during the night with the jib set for a broad reach. Of course, this sets us to the north of the rhumb line but no matter. Somewhere nearby is the yacht "Steelheart" doing it tough. They are heading east to Vavau, yes, solid headwinds. This morning dawns grey and dismal. Nothing to recommend sailing. There is a 2m easterly swell so a bit rolly. We have about 160nm to go to the Lau group landfall so by tomorrow morning we should be in visual range. There is 60nm of passage through the reefs and islands of this archipelago before the final 80nm run through the Kuru sea to Vanua Levu in the northwest. I hope the weather improves (but you think I have already complained enough).
| 06. Tonga to Fiji |
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