Well, we might as well have taken the motoring window because that is pretty much what we did. The wind started from the SE and we headed out full of enthusiasm. Our first leg was to be a straight run north and so we donned our spin locks and headed to the spinnaker pole so we could go wing-on-wing and run with the wind. Well forget that, as we started to drop the pole it came away from where it connects to the track on the mast. Fortunately its carbon and very light and so Paul was able to hold it until I could reconnect the pole to the track. Unfortunately, its carbon fibre and the join near the mast end (go figure?) was starting to part so no spinnaker pole. We tacked north east and then eventually dropped the genoa and ran with the main only which results in a very rocky roll and requires constant attention since the wind shifts can result in an accidental jibe and damage to the boom.

We rollicked along like that for 2 days then the wind died and it was engine on. In some respects that was a relief. We managed to have showers sit comfortably and do some washing and tidying and cook. In the evening the wind came back but with more east and we had a lovely day sailing. So far two good and two not so good days. Then the wind went NE as a low over NZ pulled air down towards it. So, yippy, we get to be close hauled for a day and a bit. On the positive side the swell had abated so Iolea made easy headway. It was harder on us as we tried to pinch to the north and avoid going too far west of Fiji. One thing we had forgotten was the impact of the current which is mostly south west setting. So despite all efforts we lost close to 50 miles (i.e. we couldn't head direct north, rather more NW which put us more to the west than we had hoped). As my brother put it : your going the bloody wrong way you'll end up in Japan! turn right to go to Fiji". To put this 50 miles into perspective, Iolea sails at 5-8 knots which adds quite a few hours to the trip.

The wind died again and the engine came back on. We were now into our 3rd day of motoring. The sea was oily calm. No prospect of wind for the next 24 hours into Lautoka.

So the final tally; 3 days running or close hauled. 3 days motoring, and 2 days fun sailing. This after the promise of an easy 6 day sailing passage, AND to top it off the raw water pump for the fridge packed it in giving a final burst a day before we arrived! Poor old Paul was going spare what with the pole failing, a loose fan belt on the 200amp alternator (which was new and taught before we left), over zealous bilge pump which refused to turn off due to a sticky float chamber. So we broke our dry boat rule and opened a bottle of beer the evening before we arrived.

We are here now and its all behind us and we are so glad to be here and not down there anymore. We have a bottle of champagne (reasonably cold) and steaks on the barbie. All is forgiven.