CAMISSA OUR LEOPARD 42 WAS SOLD DECEMBER 2008. JOHN AND ROBIN HAVE BOUGHT A NEW LAGOON 440 ''PANTHERA'' AND WILL BE COLLECTING HER IN MAY 2009 ON THE FRENCH ATLANTIC COAST AND SAILING THE NEXT FEW YEARS IN THE ATLANTIC AND THE MED.

2007 Sailing Logs

Camissa was moored at Westhaven from our return to NZ in November through the summer. We sailed most weekends and for a couple of weeks at Christmas. On the 15th May we again sailed north back to the sunny Fiji waters with crew of John Willy Ross and Brien. Another good sailing passage taking 7 Days from Auckland.

over the next few months we were joined in Fiji by lots of friends and family including Trevor and Ava, Pete and Jill, Dave and Leslie.

05 August 2007 - Marcus, Jules and Kate spent a wonderful week in Fiji with Robbie and Johnnie. Highlights included swimming with the Matarays in Mantaray Bay, drinking home made cocktails at Musket, Crackly from the pig on the spit, seeing the dolphins, snorkelling with the tropical fish, turtle visits, Robbies cooking, looking out for the green flash and not feeling guilty about having afternoon nana naps. Excellent time had by all. Wish we were still there. (Kate)

Jude and Roger again sailed with us for three weeks up the inside passage to Nananu-i-Ra, Nagani, Makongi,Koru, SavuSavu, Taveuni, Qamea and the beautiful Matagi. We finally caught fish again (because someone was putting out lines) and had feasts of MahiMahi Wahoo etc.
Rog and Jude flew home from Savusavu.

Robin and I made our way slowly back to the south west and into Musket in time for the Musket Cove regatta week. With 90 boats in the anchorage there were lots of new people to meet and lots of socialising at the Island Bar. When the week was over Robin and I headed back up to the top of the Yasawas with a group of other boats spending another few weeks exploring old anchorage's and new.

In mid October Robin Flew back to NZ and Willy returned to Camissa for the sail home I had a great 10 Days with Willy giving me kite lessons on the four days we had wind. I think I am learning.

On the evening of the 29th we cleared customs and sailed for home on the top of a large 1034 high. With a crew of John Willy Ross and Brian we had strong winds (up to 57 knots and for 3 to 4 days 25 to 40 knots) but always from the right direction to allow us to sail our desired course to Auckland. Again Camissa and my experienced crew proved very suited to these ocean crossings with another safe 7 day voyage. Most of the first 4 days we had three reefs in the main and a tiny section of head sail unfurled Day 5 the winds went round to the NW so we used the genny until late at night. motoring the last hours to Auckland.

Camissa is now back at Westhaven to enjoy the New Zealand summer.

2006 Sailing Log


6 May 2006 - Not long to go now. Camissa has passed Cat.1 and is voyage ready, Rob has completed the shopping with all provisions on board. We are keeping an eye on the weather forecast and are planning to depart on Thursday.

8 May 2006 - John and Willy are sailing Camissa up to Opua on Wednesday and sailing out to Fiji on Friday. The crew to Fiji includes John Willy Ross and Parko.

12 May 2006 - We are now in the Opua marina awaiting clearance and departure. Willy and I had a good sail up from Westhaven Wednesday night arriving at the end of Cape Brett at day break with the wind 35 gusting over 40 knots and a big short chop. It took an extra couple of hours to pound around the corner and into the shelter of the Bay of Islands. Watching the weather now and will head off some time soon probably tomorrow Saturday. JC

13 May 2006 - The voyage to Fiji started this morning at 9.30am, gusting SW winds, blowing 25-35 knots. From Opua, Bay of Islands it will be 7 odd days of blue water sailing for the 4 aboard, some great weather expected for coming days.

17 May 2006 - Current Position 22 45 south 175 50 east. We left Opua on Saturday morning on the back of the low with the South West looking like it would last for a few days and give us a good sling shot away from NZ. The run up the coast was in flat water giving the crew a chance to get their sea legs before hitting the big ocean swells coming through the Tasman Sea from the Southern Ocean, big they have been - up to 6 meters coming up from behind. John has been a bit seedy but has come right today. He is now eating everything in sight. Wind has been 20 -30 knots and our boat speed has been 7-9 knots with at times a deep reefed main and reefed head sail. A front went through on my watch a couple of nights ago with the wind swinging to the northwest gusting to 46 knots which turned the sea into giant washing machine and focused the mind for a time. The first few days we have been making 170 mile days but the pace has dropped off as the wind has gone to the south and is now in the south east . Hopefully we are in the trades . The Water temperature is 26.5 deg, the sun is shining and we have put up the genny. Boat speed is 8.0 knots . At this rate we should be in Lautoka late Friday. Bula (Ross)

19 May 2006 - Camissa and crew have arrived in idyllic Fiji... Stay tuned for a comprehensive update very soon.

3 June 2006 - Another day on the dock in Musket Cove. Weather is still a little cloudy so we decided to stay around. Roger and Jude have arrived for 10 days. They hired a kayak and headed off for the neighbouring island. Out at sea they wondered why it was so unstable and filling up with water. Next minute they capsized in the channel and Jude lost her collection of clams. No bung in the boat.

Next day was also cloudy. Roger and Jude got the big puzzle out. Five hours later after being totally engrossed, they decided to go for a walk to the village on Milola about 3 kilometres away. While crossing the reef at low tide sea snakes slithered seaward, they were actually sea slugs. They came back with pawpaws and coral bangles. In the evening Ross and Jenny joined us for dinner. We ate a lovely Jude creation of chicken and couscous.

Saturday morning we woke up to a beautiful day with Jude singing Just Another Day in Paradise, a Phil Collins special. After a walk we were joined by Ross and Jenny and headed out to Mana Island. We motored for about one and a half hours in very calm seas and ended up anchoring in the lagoon on the southern side. We swam in from the boat with snorkels and goggles. Not many people staying in the resort at this time of the year. Spent the day snorkelling on the northern side. The tropical fish were spectacularly colourful. Later on in the evening Ross and Jenny managed to get a ride back to Musket with Richard and Barbara on the cat Silvester. They saved themselves $150.00, the cost of the long boat ride back. It was a quiet night on the anchor apart from a fairly loud party going on in the backpackers, not to far away. Many hours have been spent working on the puzzle. Hard to drag Roger away. Saturday morning we went for a walk to sunset beach on Mana island. Found a beautiful church with gorgeous flowers arranged for today's wedding. Amazing view from the alter out to the white sandy beach.

After breakfast we headed north to where the movie Castaway was filmed. Idyllic spot. Anchored and swam into shore and walked along the beach collecting shell. A Fijian man, Villie had his boat full of tourist's was anchored there as well. He wanted $40.00 plus the kava as a landing fee. We were happy with the kava but not the money so we left the island and headed up to Navadra island which was about 10 miles and 2 hours north. Arrived about 3.00 and anchored with 4 other boats. Beautiful snorkelling here with every different coloured coral you can imagine just under the surface of the water. We are anchored here for the night and finishing of the day with Rogers tasty cocktails. Finally the puzzle is finished.

4 June 2006 - Woke up to another beautiful day. After breakfast John, Roger and Jude took the dingy across to the island Navadra and Vanua Leva to find the cave to drop off the kava. The cave was not found but beautiful shells were. From there we motor sailed for 2 hours up to Waya Island.

We anchored in Yalobi Bay, not knowing this was Seva and Evans village. The 2 boys that Evan and Graham sponsor. We took the kava into the chief as our offering. Lots of children on the island were offering to help us find the boys. They took us to their father's house. Tui was not at home but we found him in a lovely cool place under a coconut tree reading a magazine. He was very surprised to see us and humbled by the fact that we had taken time to visit. Evan came along with huge beaming smile on his face when he saw us and of course remembered us from his visits to New Zealand. Seva is away in Latoka studying and is home just in the holidays. Being Sunday we were invited to the church service where Evan was the chief tenor in the choir. Many beautiful songs were sung. After the service we met the other sister who was also in the choir and her beautiful daughter, Pauline who was about 2 years old and very cute. We took some photos so John will bring them home with him. Nearing dark we headed back to the boat and have arranged to meet Evan tomorrow at the school where he works.

27 June 2006 - A month has gone by so very quickly. Roger and Jude returned to work after a relaxing holiday. John returned to New Zealand the same day for the week of the Fieldays. Ann flew into Musket Cove to keep Robin company. We had a great week swimming in the pool, snorkelling on the sand bar and drinking shady ladies and pinacolatas. Libby, John, Francis and Sarah arrived during the week. We all had a great time in the resort. John, Geoff, Carolyn, Mark and Elana arrived by ferry after the plane from Nandi had been cancelled due to windy and rainy weather. The temperature had fallen to around 24 degrees. A bit of a cold snap for the Fijians but nice for us.

After a couple of days we headed out to Mana and then out to Monuriki island where castaway was filmed. The sea was still quite rough so we came back into Malolo to anchor for the night. In the afternoon we went across to the island to see the new resort being built there. A huge development is being constructed. Very cute burres (sp?) and more to be built over the water. Next morning we set off for Waya. After a 4 hour trip we arrived. We went back to the school to deliver the donated rugby balls and books. They were very appreciative, as everything is a great help. We caught up with Evan again, but Tui was away in Latoka for the week. After a fairly rolly night on the anchor we motor-sailed down to Nevandra. Everyone enjoyed snorkelling, swimming and beach walking. Saturday morning we made the 6 hour trek back down to Musket Cove. 30 knot easterly winds prevailed. Geoff still managed to catch a couple of Mackeral Tuna and a Wahoo.

After arriving back safe and sound in the marina we had dinner out at Dick's restaurant. Mark and Elana flew out the next morning for Australia. Carolyn and Geoff left today. We had a fun week and enjoyed their company. The resort is getting busier with school holidays.

17 July 2006 - We sailed out through Navulu Passage and South to Likuri Harbour, with Brian and Danna from Elysium following close behind. We were warmly welcomed by Caz and Wayne, owners of the very friendly backpackers - Robinson Crusoe's. We stayed there for 4 days enjoying their $10 dinners and entertainment. Amazing Fijian experience with singing, dancing and fire walking in their native costumes. The men's bodies were oiled and very toned. Hard not to notice!

We took the dinghies up river through the mangroves to Natadola Beach (Another huge development under construction). We tried fishing for mangrove jacks but no luck. Great downward sail back through Wilkes Passage back to Musket Cove and that infamous island bar! We rested here a week waiting for Kate and Pete to arrive from NZ. Headed out with our new crew a day after they arrived and motor sailed North East past Lautoka and up the coast of Veti Levu. Glorious sea conditions but not so good for sailing.

Anchored the first night with Mustang Kelly and Stiletto. Beautiful spot with a spectacular sunset. Had drinks on board Mustang Kelly and was entertained by their 5 years old daughter and her 7 years old friend from Stiletto. Next morning we motored on through the inland passage to Nananu-i-ra. Anchored with Elysium and trumpeter. We all walked along one mile beach and watched the kite and wind surfers. Fabulous view from the top of the hill. Great cabin and backpackers accommodation. Ate fresh fish for dinner.
http://www.sailblogs.com/member//camissa/images/pete_and_kate.jpg
Today Friday 14th July we negotiated a tricky passage through the reef into the Bligh waters and up to Yadua. Yadua is a small island on the south western corner of Vanua Levu. Good 20 knot wind all the way. Anchored in Nava Laca bay we took our savasava (kava) to the chief, Ratu John, very friendly but primitive village. Ratu John told us the bay was safe for swimming and gave us permission to snorkel, walk the beaches and photograph his lovely island. Over the next couple of weeks we sailed the Bligh waters across to Yasawa Island and slowly back south through the island chain to Musket.

28 July 2006 - We just had our last three days at Musket Cove in the Marina. We Lazed by the pool and had drinks and dinner each night at the island bar. Warwick from Anatra-May took Willy and Pete out to Wilkes for their last surf in Fiji. Our last meal was at Dick's Place and great lamb shanks were had by all. We were up early the next morning to refuel and pay accounts. It was a beautiful still morning as we left Musket, so we motored all the way to Lautoka. We anchored by the main wharf and went into town for supplies. On our return, the boat was covered in ash from the sugarcane fires on the mainland. Huge day but all packed away by sunset.

The next morning and headed south to Likuri Harbour. We stayed there for 3 days enjoying the entertainment and hospitality. The highlight for Pete and Wills was the dive with the sharks.

Sunday the 6th August was the day we left the Fijian shores heading south-west to Tanna, one of the southern islands of Vanuatu. The first 30 hours was calm with a following sea and very pleasant. The full moon lit up the clear skies. At 7.30 in the evening on Robin's watch the wind changed from 5 knots on the stern to 35 knots on the nose! Lots of rushing round to wind in the head sail and reef down the main. For the next 36 hours we had stormy conditions and rough seas. We were very pleased to arrive at Port Resolution, Tanna, to have a well-earned rest.

On arriving at Tanna, we found Mahi Mahi anchored in Port Resolution Bay. They had already organised to visit the Mt Yasur volcano and we were lucky enough to join them that evening. We met Stanley, the chief's son at the village. He bundled us into an open cab four-wheel drive truck, with 9 others. On the way we stopped at another village where we were entertained by some local dancers, all males, young and old, scantily clad with their bare butts showing. Lots of stomping, clapping and chanting going on. They were surrounded by the huge Bunyan trees. On to the volcano, the most accessible one in the world. Just on dark, standing 100 metres away from the crater's edge, the volcano spewed molten rock hundreds of metres skyward. The explosions were absolutely amazing, with the eruptions occurring regularly,twenty per hour. Cost of visit $45.00 US, well worth it.

Next day was a lazy day with a walk through the village to the open surf beach. We talked to a few local people and learnt the difference between the Kava ceremonies of Fiji and Vanuatu. We were amazed to learn that the Vanuatu men chewed the raw kava into a pulp in their mouths and then spit it out onto a leaf, with 5 spits to a leaf and 2 leaves to make up one bowl of kava! Much stronger than the Fijian kava, not that we tried it.

Friday 10th - we left Port Resolution in choppy seas heading to Lifou, one of the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia. Twenty four hours later we arrived at the marina, just in time for the festival on the beach. We spent the evening listening to bands and dining with the locals on the beautiful white sandy beach of We.

Early next morning, we set off for Noumea another 140 miles south-west. We were very pleased to get to Havana Passage and inside the reef around 3.00am.

4 September 2006 - We entered Port Moselle on the 14th August and tied up opposite Elysium,(much to our surprise). We then cleared customs and unfortunately MAF confiscated all our meat, but there were no other problems. After spending a couple of hours cleaning up the boat, we ventured off to find a cafe for a much needed flat white coffee. As it was a public holiday on the Monday and beautiful calm seas, we decided to head up the coast to Baie de Saint Vincent, to a surf break. Pete and Wills had a dream surf, solid 6ft, glassy, perfection, as good as it gets. Followed up the next day, finding the pulse had died down but a fun little wave for Pete on his long board.

We returned to Port Moselle on Friday and had our last night out with Kate and Pete, as they were leaving on an early flight the next morning. Very sad to see them go after spending an exciting six to seven weeks with them, exploring many spots in Fiji, Tanna and New Caledonia.

The following week was spent in the marina, so we could go on some much needed walks over to Baie des Citrons and Anse Vata, the beaches of Noumea. Many hours were spent in the shops, even though the sales were on, everything was very expensive. We found the Boulangerie which was frequented quite regularly.

Leigh and Milson arrived Thursday night and early the next morning we sailed for the Ile Des Pins, stopping on the way for a night in the Bais de Prony. Anchored in the lovely Ilot Casey for the night.

Next morning we had a seven hour motor with the wind on the nose to Baie Gadji at the very northern end of the Ile des Pins. We kept a eye out for whales all the way down, but none were to be seen.

Our next two nights were spent at Oro Bay on the eastern side of the Island. We explored all day and snorkeled and swam in the piscine natural pool. Willy and John tried their hand at catching some squid. Unfortunately the boat suffered a nice thick coat of black ink. Early in the morning at high tide we picked our way through the coral bombies and motor sailed down the coast in rough seas to Kuto. Kuto is the main anchorage for yachts visiting the Island and has yet another long white sandy beach. Here we have enjoyed walks, the Boulangerie, the beach and crystal clear water. There are lots of turtles around the bay. The anchorage's here are just too stunning to describe.

It is now Friday morning and we are still here in Kuto Bay. Leigh and Milson go home tomorrow night. We have had a great time with them.

22 Nov 2006 - Well we got a bit slack with writing the log. To close for the season we spent the next couple of months in New Caledonia waters with visits from Kate (for 10 days), and the Kemps (for 2 weeks). Robin returned to NZ with Kate at the end of September. Willy bought all the kite surfing gear and so John and Willy spent the next month chasing the wind with lots of time spent at Ilot Maitre. The Kemps arrived in mid October and we again sailed down to the Pines for a couple of weeks and back through the southern logoon.

All the boats started leaving New Caledonia in late Oct for Australia and New Zealand. Ross Stewart returned to Camissa for the leg home. On Sunday the 28th we down loaded a great South Pacific weather forecast for the week ahead so cleared customs on Monday, leaving Carolyn on the dock. With the crew John Willy Ross and Geoff, we sailed that afternoon. The plan was to stop in Norfolk if needed but the weather behaved so we carried on through to Auckland arriving in under seven days.

Camissa was away from NZ for six months, split evenly between Fiji and New Caledonia. We enjoyed meeting all the other travellers along the way, all the fine food the warm waters and the prefect beaches. Most of all we loved the time with our family and great friends aboard to share our experiences.