Conni left us yesterday. Yes, I knew that it was coming, we both did, but it was difficult, nevertheless. She had two blue boxes full of stuff that we didn't need on the boat, her own duffle of clothing, and her backpack, all of which ensured that she'd have lots of luggage to slow her progress through the various airport between Nadi International and Ted Stevens International.

John bought us dinner at the Boatshed Bar last night to cheer me and it did that. It was nice to get out of the boat for a while and it was SO hot yesterday with not a puff of breeze to cool anything. Thanks, John.

As mentioned, the engine head was being pressure tested and we found out yesterday that there was no leak. Whew! Another bullet dodged. The machine shop will surface the bottom of the head. The side of the head that touched the engine block was warped by 3/1000 mm and to allow the best possible seal with the engine block top, they'll grind off that amount of metal to make it flat: they'll "surface" the head. Paul, the manager of the Yacht Help yard crew, will allow me to travel to Lautoka and fetch the head and actually talk to the machinist. Paul also says that he's got all of the supplies and Ritesh the mechanic will be here early, and the plan is to get the head back on and re-assemble the engine by early afternoon and then take the boat for a spin to check things. With luck, that will go well and we'll move the boat to the fuel dock to refill the starboard tank that we emptied after cleaning it. We're ready to go, otherwise.

Tomorrow, we officially check out of Fiji and have one hour to leave the marina, and 48 hours to leave the country. Sheesh, not ready to dump us are they?

We'll have all of our fuel aboard, all the gas for the outboard and generator, water tanks filled, safety lines deployed and we'll take our paperwork and head to Tonga.

I love you Conni. More later.