Urapukapuka In to Opua today to pick up some parts

Urapukapuka Pssssst don't tell Ron. Had a beautiful dinner of fresh salad greens, Maori potatoes all from the Pihia farmers market and the snapper we caught in the bay yesterday. Perhaps mussel gathering today.

Urapukapuka Is off fishing today snapper for dinner fingers crossed.

Opua off to visit family today.

Matawhai Bay Russell

Whngamumu Big drop in the barometer overnight but nice and snug here in winds from the south and west.

Whngamumu wet and windy last night nice and sunny this morning and not to cold, beautiful.

Roberton island moving round to Whangamumu this morning.

Opua. Boat all washed and clean inside and out great having all this water to play with at the marina. Heading out to the islands after a bit of stores shopping this morning.

Arrived Opua 3000 this morning waiting for customs.

Had a great sailing day yesterday with blue skies and the sun shining on Villomee. Wind decreased in the night, very clear skies. Wind has now turned to the east, not quite making our course and some grey clouds out to the east. Saw our first albatross yesterday, a couple of sooties, no fish life. Will be in Opua late tomorrow. 250 miles to go.

Wind ENE around the 17-20 Some blue skies are popping through the grey, first since leaving Noumea Thursday. Swell has dropped down. Very little bird life, only a couple of petrels. 415 miles to NZ. Was wondering what this terrible smell this morning was, found the culprits, 3 squid and a flying fish on the deck. Good bait for snapper

Wind started off yesterday just north of east that made things more comfortable but headed back around to the east in the afternoon. Very grey skies, not too cold. All good on board.

Left Noumea 0700hrs yesterday. Motored all day, wind came in 0330hrs this morning and now hard on the wind. Lots of bird BUT NO FISH

At anchor Noumea. Ready to depart for NZ this morning.

At anchor Noumea. Picked up the new dingy and swapped our old one for a couple of bottles of wine. Looking at the weather for a possible departure for NZ.

At anchor Bai Maa.

At anchor Bai Maa. Came into the bay yesterday nice brisk sail in 25-30 of easterly, well sheltered bay here.

Ilot Mbe Kouen Moved to here yesterday from Noumea, we were going to Ilse Signal but every man and his dog was there. Not much protection from the island we are at which is really a glorified sand bar with a few bushes on it but a good reef system so you are out of any sea but in the wind. We had four guys here off a cat kite boarding they were the best we have ever seen getting tremendous air and doing lots of tricks very entertaining.

The snorkling here is not very good and to windy to explore so we will move to another anchorage.

Noumea. Heading out today to go snorkling. lot of boats arriving the last few days probably the Go West Rally gathering anchorage getting pretty crowded.

Noumea.

Noumea. We got the engine mount back in, lot easier process than taking it out. All go again so now ready to get out and about again but are looking at the first weather window to head back to NZ.

Noumea. Bloody boats, here you are in paradise and a engine mount breaks. Ok you arrange a replacement part and lucky for us we had friends arriving who could bring it out so no having to deal with customs. Now to replace you have to take the water cooler off the side of the gearbox, bend a spanner so it will fit in the ooh to small access hole, lie on your stomach with your head in the bilge and your arm tight up against the gearbox while somebody unbolts the nut 2 ratchet clicks at a time. Three bloody hours to undo a total of Five bolts. The amazing thing about cruising is that a fellow cruiser who you have only met once when told of your problem offers to give you hand sacrificing a bit of skin and blood in doing so it's hard to beat that kind of thing thanks Grant.

Noumea. Picked up engine mounts off Stuart and Ann now just have to locate someone who can weld as we need to modify a spanner to get to a couple of the engine mount bolts. Fun and Games

Noumea waiting for Stuart and Ann to arrive with our engine mounts that arrived in just in time for their departure to New Cal today.

Anse Majic. Heading to Noumea to meet Stuart and Ann who are brining our replacement engine mount over from Oz and get the replacement job underway.

Anse Majic. Started engine yesterday and noticed some vibration, on checking found we had a broken rear engine mount. Have got replacement coming from Oz so just waiting for weather to be able to sail back to Noumea.

Isle Casy. Looks like a few boats have stopped in on their way to Noumea maybe part of the Go West rally?

Bai de la Somme.

Bai de la Somme. Beware of electronic charts, not only do they sometimes have the hard stuff in the wrong place they also lie about other things. Looked at the chart this morning and saw Prony as a square shaded area this usually means a town of some size so envisaging a cold beer at the end of the walk or at least some fresh veges and a baguette what do we get but some corrugated tin holiday houses (god knows why you would want one there) and the ruins of a penal settlement that was used at first to harvest the native hardwood to help build Noumea then later as a small mining center that is to blame for all the red mud we are going to have to clean off the dingy floor,our feet,back of boat and not to mention the 80 meters of chain we have out when we depart tomorrow. Nice walk though.

At Anse Majic Still windy but a sunnier morning this morning will move to another bay for a change in scenery,but very sheltered where we are.

At Anse Majic nice walk up to the lighthouse.

At Anse Majic came in from Ilot Ua after another great dive there. Off for a walk up to the light house today.

At Ilot Ua Fantastic diving.

At Ilot Kouare may move to Ilot Ua

How not to catch squid. Had some squid round the boat yesterday and feeling like a nice entree,Jan got the squid jigs and rods and caught the first one holding it just above the water while I got a bucket then Jan brought it aboard with only a couple of drops of black ink on the deck. Now it's Trevs turn, got his squid let it jettison it's ink but on bringing it aboard it got a dunking sucked up enough water so that when I lifted it onboard it squirted ink all over Jan and across the deck.

At Ilot Kouare More diving plenty of places available here or a short dingy ride away. We were given a small coral trout by a couple of young French guys who turned up in their yacht at 0430 yesterday after sailing out from Noumea and then going spear fishing first thing in the morning. It was their lucky day also as Jan had just baked some chocolate chip cookies which we traded with them.

At Ilot Kouare Beautiful day yesterday glassy conditions in the morning so headed out to Kouare Pass for a drift dive in the pass Lots of fish and nice coral saw to species of fish we have never seen before and crystal clear water. Took the dingy over to Ilot Tere and had a walk round that and checked out the reef that lies between us looks like another great area but to windy today.

At Ilot Kouare beautiful clear water lovely touquois water had a great snorkel on one of the surrounding reefs plenty of different corals and fish about. May dive the pass today if the wind stays down.

Had a nice sail from Kuto Ile des pins to Ilot Ndo will move to Ilot Kouare later today after another snorkel.

At Kuto heading to lot Ndo. Went up Pic Nag yesterday amongst sporadic gunfire spectacular views over the Southern Lagoon from up there. Later while lying on the beach solders went past with their captive but looks like the badys must still be about as exercises will continue today with lots of low flying helicopters and armed soldiers running about the place, will be good to get away.

Back at Kuto,French navy here doing exercises or else there is a uprising in the Il Des Pins that we don't know about as there are two big ships and lots of inflatable's filled with armed solders flying about and on shore. Going for a walk up the "mountain" this morning if we can get ashore without been shot.

went out for a couple of days but now back at Kuto

At Ilot Moro snorkeled the outside of reef coral ok no crown of thorns a fist for us in New Cal and lots of big fish great if you were a spear fisher we are to scared of sharks for that. Jan found a sea snake much to her surprise under my cap under the dodger now living in fear that one will end up in our bunk she should be more worried about the one eyed trouser snake!!!

Kuto.

Kuto.

Kuto. Hired a car yesterday and drove round the island visiting the sights and going on a couple of walks. The limestone grotto was very interesting and the short walk in through the valley with great native bush and lots of bird life was great. They had lots of very tall ferns with exactly the same frond's as the NZ Punga's but were much much larger growing to the height of large coconut tress.

Moved into Kuto, wind shifted into the SE during the day. Went for a walk along the lovely white sandy beach, the anchorage looks stunning with the fine white sand and beautiful turquoise water. There is a dugong living behind the boat. However visibility is pretty poor can not see the bottom in 3M of water hopefully it will clear as the seas settle.

Had a good sail out to le des Pins yesterday with WSW wind 15 saw two humpback whales one was putting on a show with lots of tail slapping.

The wind was blowing into Kuto so went round to Bai de Kanumera where it was flat calm but got asked to leave in no uncertain terms by two local Kanaks in a small fishing boat so moved to Ilot Bayonnaise where it was sheltered from the wind but a bit rolly.

Departing Ilse Casy for Ile des Pins

Moved to Ile Casy. This island is a marine reserve with walks all over it and it used to have a dog living alone here for 14 years not to sure how it survived as it's picture on the memorial plaque looks like a large dog but apparently very friendly. We went for a walk yesterday and you can see what the land used to look like before they stripped it for forestry then the nickel mining.

Be here for a couple of days repairing the dingy yet again. We will have to bite the bullet and get a new one when we get back to NZ, but at least we now know the best glue and method to use to do successful repairs but the pontoon hypalon cloth is well and truly past it's used by date. At least we know that our dingy will be the last one stolen from the dingy dock.

Moved to Bay Ndji on Ile Quen. Jan had read that there was an abandoned Jade mine here so walked up to the highest point on the island on an old mining road great views of the southern lagoon and all the destruction the mining has done to the surrounding area.

Came back with about 6kg of rocks Jan had picked up some may even be Jade!!!

Ilot Mato Windy and wet all day yesterday. Did a few boat jobs and baked some afghans.

Ilot Mato Walked up to the top of the island saw 3 of the local eagles and had a dive on he Noumea side of the island reef no good murky water and very cold.

Ilot Mato

Ile Redika

Ilot Amedee, About 13 yachts here mostly local and quite a few fizzy's during the day. Locals enjoying the weekend. Good snorkling in the reserve but we need Ron and his vinegar here as we have never seen so many crown of thorns.

Ile Uere good sheltered anchorage about 6nm SE of Noumea not much here but gathered some mushrooms on the island off exploring probably Ilot Amedee

Noumea stocked up with meat,veges, wine, and cheeses not cheap but probably the wine was the problem hard to find a bottle under $20NZ

Noumea checked in yesterday, very easy the marina did the customs and said customs may or may not come to the boat but to stay onboard till quarantine arrive. They arrived within a the half hour took the remains of our fresh fruit and veg and that was all. Have to walk down to immigration this morning as they were closed when we arrived.

Had a bit of a walk round town will do a bit of a shop up this morning off to the market now.

heading up to Noumea to check in today.

Moved 20 miles up to Baie Ue and managed a walk yesterday afternoon when the rain eased. Still in the red mud though that seems to be every where and stains everything it touches. Will head up the last 20 miles today to Noumea to do our clear in. Very grey skies and not quite drizzling at the moment.

Baie Du Carenage still raining may head a bit closer to Noumea if it clears a bit later got to check in at some stage.

still sheltering in Proney

Came through Havana Pass 0630 yesterday and went up to the top of Bay de Prony. Went for a walk up to a hot spring pool only to find that it was at ambient temp but crystal clear,carried on walking up to the waterfall on a red clay track. On our way back we got a meal of oysters off the rocks.

This is up the top of Proney. All well . They have not been able to get through on email.

Great sailing The skies have cleared a bit, even saw some stars last night. Caught 2 yellowfin tuna yesterday. Will be arriving tomorrow morning

No wind yesterday, motored all day. Cloud gathered and at 1915 the wind arrived and has stayed all night. No fish yesterday. Hope the wind will stay with us today.

After clearing the pass we had no wind up until just after lunch when we went through the trough. Wind was 20 kts with very grey skies. Lumpy seas with a short steep swell. Came out of the trough around midnight .Wind has dropped and we are now motoring. 5 lures out the back most of yesterday but still no fish.

Departing Momi Bay Fiji for New Cal

At Vuda Point Marina Checking out today.

At Vuda Point Marina waiting to check out for New Cal maybe Wednesday??

At Musket Cove

At Musket Cove

At Musket Cove waiting for suitable winds to head to New Cal.

Lautoka arrived 1605 after stopping in Vuda Point Marina to full up with diesel and outboard fuel. Into the market this morning then up to Saweni Bay till the dentists appointment on Monday.

Likuri Hbr heading into Vuda Point Marina to get fuel and if time allows into Lautoka for Saturday morning market.

Likuri Hbr Varnishing

Likuri Hbr Varnishing

Likuri Hbr Varnishing, Dingy repaired off for a reef walk at low tide.

Likuri Hbr Varnishing and fixing dingy

Decided to stop off at Likuri Hbr as we would not of made Momi Bay till after dark. Arrived 1630. Will spend the day here maybe a few days longer,we have to repair a bad bleak in the dingy and also want to put some varnish on the cap rail.

Cold night had a blanket on but felt as if two would of been better.

Left Kadavu 3.15am this morning and heading to Lautoka. About 90 miles, should be there around sunset. Will head into Momi Bay tonight. Lets hope we have some luck with the fishing today. 3 lures out on sunrise

Said our goodbye's to Ben & Sita's Family yesterday morning always a bit emotional saying farewell to our Fijian family Ben is 82 years old now still strong as they say in Fiji hopefully he will be the same when we see them next. They gave me a Fiji Rugby Sevens T shirt and Jan a nice Sulu and we gave Sita a set of bed sheets and a set of pillow cases.

Moved round to Vunasea to get the internet and will be leaving for Lautoka early tomorrow morning.

Solodamu, went fishing with Big Ben, Sita and Vunda. Left at 0830 trolled all the way to cape Washington, lots of bait fish there so spent a couple of hours trolling there with no results so headed back to Solodamu got back at 1645 with no fish ( first time in Fiji that we have spent a day fishing with no results) and had to walk through the mud to the village.

We did see 2 Humpback whales and a pod of about 30 Pilot Whales that looked as if they were just resting on the surface slowly sailed right up to them and they were all round the boat but hardly moving. So all was not lost for the day.

Solodamu Did some glasses yesterday and off fishing this morning.

Moved round to Solodamu to visit the family we spent time with 6 years ago. We got a fantastic warm welcome from them all Sita and her family and of course Big Ben. Had to wade through a bit of mud to get to the landing as the tide was still to low but it was getting late and we wanted to do our sevusevu and say hello. The Kava bowl came out and during the course of the evening the whole family came to say hello plus a few of the locals, finally got away about 7pm to head back to the boat.

Heading in on the morning tide Jan is baking a big brownie to take in and a load of popccorn for all the kids, Sita now seems to have about 8 grandkids running round the place now, but they have extended their house,got a generator and big TV since we were there last. Not quite the same drinking kava with the TV going for the kids to watch though but that's progress IU guess.

Off fishing with them tomorrow.

Arrived Vunisea Kadavu Island at 0830 yesterday,very busy morning as the supply boat arrived just before us and everybody was coming to town to do the shopping. Got into town a little late to get to the vege market but managed to get a couple of nice lettuce.

Lots of litter on the beach mainly empty beer bottles and woodstock burban and coke cans disgusting. Saw a lot of young men drinking on the beach before heading back to their villages in the long boats. A lot different from when we were here last and not very nice to see after the Lau must be money here though as 1 large bottle of beer costs $10.

The place was hit by the last cyclone a lot of the shops damaged badly but all back up and running,apparently the water came right overb the road and the flat piecce of land before the hill was chest deep in water.

Left Matuku 10.45 yesterday and heading to Kadavu. Should arrive around 8am today. We really enjoyed Matuku, everyone wanted us to stay longer. Ended up by giving out 102 pairs of glasses in 6 villages. Trolled 4 lures yesterday for no fish. Only sighted 2 birds. Where are the fish?

Anchored at Matuku Is.Went into the Lamate Village to say goodbye to everyone yesterday afternoon. Heading to Kandavu Is this morning.

Anchored at Matuku Is. Walked over to the school in the next village with Jessie where the 3 villages that attend it were having a working bee.Helped with the tidy up doing weeding with a machete and Jan was raking up the grass with the ladies as the cut it with the weed whackers. Lagre school ground complex but all very tidy as this is done each month. Got the long boat home, just as well as we were both knackered.

Anchored at Matuku Is. Long day yesterday. We were picked up by Bole at 8am and headed around to Qalikarua Village, which is on the far side of the Island to do the glasses with Ron the Nurse. The tide was low so had a slow trip around, weaving our way through the coral patches. Nice friendly people. They even provided us with lunch of curried potato and pork with pancakes and yam, then passion fruit and lemons were put in a bag for us to take back to the boat. Once the tide came up we continued around the Island to another village to do glasses and then got back to the boat 5.30 just on dark. Have circumnavigated the Island now. Jesse dropped off a lovely bag of fresh veges last night. Today we are walking over to the school with Jesse to do a school clean up. Just another day in Matuku.

Anchored at Matuku Is. Boy's Day Out was canceled as the village cows had gone and destroyed the neighboring villages garden and had to be collected and brought back so missed the 0800 game. Just as well as NZ bet Fiji and they were pretty upset about that but we put things right by taking some kava in that evening to commiserate their loss and to celebrate our win.

Off to do the glasses in the last two villages this morning so another early morning longboat trip to the end of the island with Ron the island nurse.

Anchored at Matuku Is. Went into the village for the Sunday service and had delicious meal with the village spokesman Chama and his wife. A lot of the families in the village provided a dish and of course there was the usual take home meal for us. With all the drugs that have been found round Fiji lately there was quite a bit of talk about that and also the rugby world 7's. Trevor is going this morning in a long boat to another village to watch the NZ V Fiji game and the probably the final. A boy's day out.

Anchored at Matuku Is. Took Jessie trolling yesterday, left the anchorage at 0600 and trolled up and down the outside reef, Got one yellowfin tuna and had two other good hook ups but lost the fish. Got back in at 1500 so not that productive. Apparently the commercial fishing boats work this area a lot.

Anchored at Matuku Is. Had a nice relaxing day yesterday. Went for a snorkel in the pass and on the reef at high tide. Plenty of fish and some nice coral. A lazy afternoon.

Anchored at Matuku Is. Got picked up by Bolee in the longboat 8am and he took us down to the hospital at the northern end of the Island. There we met up with Ron and Lee the 2 nurses and we did glasses. We then headed down to the south end of the Island with Lee and Bolee in the longboat. About a 20 minute ride inside the lagoon. There we continued with the glasses and got dropped back on Villomee at 3pm. Ended up by helping 35 people with glasses. Another good day and everyone very appreciative. Today is a free day so we are heading out to the reef to do some snorkeling. It is a glorious day, not a cloud in the sky, no wind.

Anchored at Matuku. We went in the long boat with the Matuku Island nurse Ron and Jesse to 2 other villages and while Ron did his clinics we did the reading glasses a total of 21 pairs amongst the two villages. When we got back to the boat they all came onboard for a cuppa and a chat.

We are been picked up at 0800 this morning to be taken to another village of about 100 people and the next Tuesday are been taken to the two villages on the other side of the island. Hopefully we will have enough glasses as we are running terribly short of the 1.25-1.75 range which is the most needed.

Every one here is super friendly were given boiled buns with local marmalade for lunch and there is a lot of talk about the upcoming 7's world cup. Who is going to win Fiji or NZ hopefully we get to see some of the games.

Anchored at Matuku Is. Did our sevusevu and then went strait back in to do the reading glasses gave out 14 pairs and there are only 20 families in this village. Going by longboat today with chief Cheko to the other 3 villages to do the same.

Went for a nice snorkel with good coral but had to cut it short as we could see the front approaching and wanted to get back to the boat, Got there just as the wind and rain came, wind swung from north to south but only in the 20,s.

Anchored at Matuku Is. Arrived 1130 yesterday after a nice but slow sail from Nauku-I-Laau. No fish but are now in a very sheltered bay, in to do Sevusevu today.

Departed Namuka-I-Lau 1400 hrs and heading to Matuku. Should arrive around 11 am Sunday. Very calm night, calm seas. Had the MPS up since 2200hrs. All is good on board Villomee.

Anchored at Namuka-I-Lau.Went Into the village and did the glasses with the village nurse. Did 49 pairs here they generally needed higher strength glasses here wonder if it is because the population here is mainly of Tongan decent whereas in Fulunga only 26 miles away they are mainly Fijian.

Anchored at Namuka-I-Lau. A few showers yesterday but it cleared as the day progressed. Went for a snorkel in the morning then did a bit of a beach clean up of plastic. Heading into the village today to do glasses with the nurse.

Anchored at Namuka-I-Lau. Took the dingy right up to the end of the island and walked to nice big sandy beaches then did a drift snorkel over some bombies. saw one small cray the coral is pretty broken but beautiful clear water here.

Had a fire on the beach with our sun downers lovely day.

Anchored at Namuka-I-Lau. Had a nice day yesterday did the walk into the village for church,great singing then to Atu's family for lunch Jan took another chocolate cake and they gave us deep fried fish spinach cooked in coconut cream with onion and cassava and guess what icecream whoopee. On the way back to the boat we met two other families about 15 kids going to the beach for a picnic so we chatted to them for a couple of hours and they got us 10 drinking coconuts to take back to the boat.

We are been picked up this morning by longboat and taken round to the village to do reading glasses we have brought up with us. there are over 300 people in this village so we could possibly run out of the most used strengths the 1.25 & 1.75.

Anchored at Namuka-I-Lau. Had a great sail from Fulunga, lost a large fish on the way it straitened a good gamefish hook. Did the hour long walk into the village to do Sevsevu. It is a nice walk and the track is pretty well defined. They are now trying to charge a $50 anchoring fee, we are having a debate about this as we a giving out glasses to those that need them and we am trying to explain that if they start charging then yachts may not come and the village would miss out on help like this from the cruising fleet. Seems to falling on deaf ears though.

Fulunga, Village anchorage, Had a huge farewell dinner on board yesterday evening, Pork done in the lovo, curried pork, curried veges, cassava ,local yams and roti. Jan had made tuna cakes,chips and dip, a humungus sponge with cream and peaches on top and a chocolate self saucing pudding. I produced a bunch of kava so one of the lads had to run into the village to pound it up (a 20 min walk each way for us) and that got the party going with lots of talking and laughter.

So all in all it was a great end to our stay in Fulunga.

Apparently all the leaders of the Lau group are coming to Fulunga next week to discuss the drugs that were found here. Tai a local elder is saying that there is a very good possibility that they will close the Lau again. We will have to wait and see on that. The locals don't want it to happen as they are benefiting from the majority of cruisers that visit. lets hope not and hopefully all cruisers coming to the islands will respect their culture.

Fulunga, Back in the village anchorage, will have a farewell dinner with our host family this afternoon.

Fulunga, Sand Spit. Repaired the dingy, found 2 old patches were leaking so replaced them with the new hypalon glue we got in Whangarei that is very good. Also had to repair the seat that Ma broke (big Lady) when her and her son took the dingy to get clams.

Fulunga, Sand Spit nice sunny day yesterday, gathered 4 l of coconut juice, great for re hydration.

Fulunga. Moved to the sand spit anchorage calmer here than the village landing anchorage.

Anchored in village anchorage Fulunga. Very windy.

Anchored in village anchorage Fulunga. Windy all night, off to church and Sunday dinner again. Jan busy in the galley cooking chocolate cup cakes and fish cakes for the shared lunch.

Anchored in village anchorage Fulunga. What a great day yesterday. Headed into the Meke around 9.30. We had seen 3 long boats arrive from Ogea. That is the island about 6 miles to the east. As we walked into town you could see everyone preparing for the big day. The woman were busy preparing food. They were all having their baths and getting dressed up in their good clothes for the day. 4 shelters had been erected during the week to house each village. Each village, four of them sang and danced and presented a donation to our village. During the dance our village would shower them with powder and cloth and various gifts. A lot of laughter and fun. These Fijian people really know how to enjoy themselves. $8614 was raised for the church. Amazing. During the whole proceedings there was a lot of Kava being drunk in the shelters. We got back to the boat just after 5 but I'm sure the partying would have continued all night. We are supposed to be going clamming and fishing today, but very windy.

Anchored in village anchorage Fulunga. Had a bit of a slow day yesterday. Trevor experienced no pain all day. Went for a long walk at low tide along the sand flats. Headed into the village late afternoon to dress Kete and Georges legs. Both looking really good, nearly at the stage they can take their bandages off. Big day today in Fulunga with the Meke. The 3 villages from here and the village from Ogea are having a big dance off. All the food is being prepared this morning and the donations go to the church. Should be a great day. We will also be distributing our glasses to the people of Ogea while they are over here.

Anchored at Fulunga. Windy all day yesterday SE-SSE 15-20 in our sheltered anchorage and a cold wind too. Did not feel like hopping in the water so went for a Tiki Tour in the dingy round all the small islands and bays by our anchorage. Found a nice fish that had recently been speared but also found the owner snorkling further on so returned it to her she was most grateful.

Anchored at Fulunga. We are anchored off a small island with in the lagoon, have an island all to our selves, nice. Collected some drinking cocnuts yesterday and snorkeled for some clams. May do a spot of fighing with in the lagoon. Pretty breezy and coolish. Trevor is drinking a lot of water, had a bit of pain last night. All if OK on Villomee

Anchored at Fulunga. Had a pretty quiet day yesterday. Trevor had had no sleep as had experienced very strong pain just above the hip and slightly back towards the spine. Spoke to our friend a paramedic, Ron on the radio getting his opinion, he thought appendicitis and lucky we have a doctor on board another yacht in here and she came over and was with us all morning and she thinks he has a kidney tone. She is quite sure it is not the appendix. Trevor had experienced the same thing 3 days ago but it only lasted about 2 hours and again he experienced it 2 1/2 years ago on our way from Galapagos to Marquesas. The pain has gone and Trevor had a good nights sleep. Ate a small dinner last evening. A bit of a concern. We went for a slow stroll into the village as we thought some exercise may be good and that is about all we did yesterday. Had the doctor over again last thing just to check up. All seems OK at the moment.

Anchored at Fulunga. Church yesterday. They had a preacher do part of the service in English and the sermon was based on sailing. A lot of thought had been put into it. Had a lovely lunch with George, Ma and Tai.

Anchored at Fulunga. Great day yesterday with most of the village and the 16 yachts here having a picnic together at the sand spit. plenty of nice food including a pig cooked in the ground (lomo)which was delicious. Sunday today so off to church but going for a snorkel after lunch, hope the sky clears by then now into our third day of nearly 100% cloud.

Anchored at Fulunga by Picnic Island. Going into the village anchorage early to pick up a lot of the villagers and all the children with a few of the cruisers for a picnic out at the sand spit with all the 14 yachts that are here and the village children. there is a couple of cats here with children on son they will have plenty of company. Wish our grandkids could be involved. Nanna and poppa say hi Kai.

Anchored at Fulunga by Picnic Island. Going into the village anchorage early to pick up a lot of the villagers and all the children with a few of the cruisers for a picnic out at the sand spit with all the 14 yachts that are here and the village children. there is a couple of cats here with children on son they will have plenty of company. Wish our grandkids could be involved. Nanna and poppa say hi Kai.

Anchored at Fulunga by the sand spit. What an amazing day yesterday. No wind, blue skies, glassy calm conditions and stinking hot. Took the opportunity to jump in the water and snorkel the pass and surrounding areas. Water is so... clear. Amazing. Also headed out into the outer lagoon between the island and the outer reef. Snorkeled a few bombies out there, looked like crayfish country but didn't see any. A brilliant day. In the afternoon we headed into the village to do more fiberglass work on the village boat and deliver some cupcakes and scones to Ma and George. Will do some more snorkeling today. Back to Villomee late in the afternoon to watch the sun go down and have a G&T

Anchored at Fulunga by the sand spit went for a long kayak from the sand spit area to the village anchorage through a maze of small islands very pretty there must be a couple of hundred of them just in this area.

Anchored at Fulunga by the sand spit having a few days off.

Anchored at Fulunga. Went down to the bottom village in the morning to give out the reading glasses. Presented our Sevusevu to the chief. Very friendly chief and people. Gave out 10 pairs, just a small village. We were also able to help a young girl with glasses who has a brain tumor and her vision has been badly affected, she is now able to read. Came back up to the village anchorage and headed into the village to do some more work on the village longboat. We are teaching one of the younger men Aquilla how to repair the boats. Will head back in this morning to do some more fibre glassing and bogging.

Anchored at Fulunga. Going to the village at the SW end of the lagoon to see who needs reading glasses there then back to the main village to do some more work on the village longboat.

Anchored at Fulunga. Pretty slow day with the fishing yesterday. Very calm and the waters are very clear in the lagoon. Ended up with 17 fish for the day. Made date scones, pizza and little meat pies for Ma, George and Junior. Headed into watch the rugby test last night. In to church and lunch today.

Anchored at Fulunga. Taking Ma, George and George Junior our host family fishing today. Hope the wind stays down.

Anchored at Fulunga. Repaired a hole hole in Jan's Kayak and fiberglassed the transom of our dingy that had split were it joins the hull.

Anchored at Fulunga. Dived the pass and the false pass had a rather large reef shark that got a bit to inquisitive for our liking at the entrance but buggered off when I slapped the water as it got near. Lots of fish and good coral.

Anchored at Fulunga. Spent the day distributing reading glasses that the lions have donated in 2 of the villages, gave out 63 pairs of glasses. Noted that the elderly population in most cases needed very little magnification it was the younger ones that needed the stronger glasses??? Fulunga is now offering a laundry service $15 per bag wash and folded you supply the washing liquid see Ma or Tai.

enjoying Fuluga with 4-5 other boats

Anchored at Fulunga. Did sevusevu. Returning here was like coming back to your old home town, lots of people we have met here before stopping us for a chat. They can always remember your name I wish I could do the same but Jan is doing a lot better job of the name association than me thank goodness.

An amazing night last night, no wind and clear sky with the stars so bright you felt as if you could touch them, but because it was so calm the stars were duplicated on the water so it made you feel that you were floating in space and instead of falling off the boat into water you would of just sailed off into space.

Motor sailed last 24 hours. Wind of about 5 kts from the east. Seas calm. Very clear night last night with the sky ablaze with starts right down to sea level. Stopped around 1 am being 7 miles off Fulunga. Will gradually start motoring in but cannot enter pass until around 1 pm. A big effort will be put in to catch a fish, will have the 3 rods out while trolling along the outside of the reef.

Left Kadavu yesterday 1230 hrs and are heading for Falunga Once we got out of the Astrolabe Reef we had good sailng with the wind NNE. During the night we have had rain and lightening with the wind changing into the south and now east. We are motor sailing at present. Lines will be out today hoping for a fish

Anchored at Kavala Bay by the store and will probably move up to Ono Is later today and looks like a departure for Matuku Is tomorrow.

Moved to Kavala Bay to get some Kava and for better wind protection, got a nice rainbow runner on the way so fish for dinner tonight. Got 2 Kg of Kava for $105/Kg $5/Kg cheaper than Ron did, there is a very well stocked store here where you can get fuel as well.

Anchored in bay with no wind and very hot and humid conditions then at 1727 a dark cloud band approached wind went from 0 to 30 gusts higher with rain. Wind was in a southerly direction and moved more to the SE over the next 2 hrs slowly moderating but with steady rain.

Anchored at Namara Is Great Astrolabe Reef. Had our first swim yesterday nice to be in clear water again.

Departed Suva for Kandavu Is final destination unsure depends on which model is correct but both predict light winds from some easterly direction.

At anchor Suva Harbour. Check in today then we will get our cruising permit,washing done and some fresh fruit/ veg and hope to be able to leave by Wednesday for Kandavu.

sounds pretty nice in Suva but cloud will come and go

At anchor Suva Harbour arrived 2100 02/06/2018. Had a good trip up all beam reaching except for 20 hrs of tight reaching thumping into the odd wave. Our fastest trip yet 6 days 9.25 hrs. All is just honky dory on Villomee.

Has been a bit of a tough 24 hours. Wet, windy and a soggy and tied crew. We have now just gone through very heavy rain and the wind is now deciding what direction it is going to come from We will arrive in Suva late tonight

Had a fantastic day of sailing yesterday. Sunny with blue skies. Put the lures out but had no luck. Cloud has built up in the night. Keeping the speed up to try to get into Suva before the northerly hits. Eta Saturday evening

The wind dropped away a bit yesterday so that slowed down our progress. Went through the edge of a front 1800 hours last night. Had a couple of squalls last night. All is well on Villomee ETA should be Sunday, Suva

Arriving Suva late Saturday

Still sailing well Have decided to head straight for Suva Had a couple of albatrosses keeping us company yesterday and the nights a well lit with the full moon up all night. Sunny skies yesterday and warming up. All is well on board Villomee

Great sailing Not as cold tonight and water temp up from 16 to 21 now. Both have managed some sleep All good on board Villomee

Left Opua yesterday midday heading to Minerva or Fiji. Dolphins accompanied us out from the nine pin then we had a couple of albatross keeping us company for a while. Had great sailing all night Alls well on board

On Anchor Opua fitting new water pump on engine then all good to go

At anchor about to head to Opua to go through Cat 1 so will be ready to head north after that, probably mid May though.

Have spent a good part on the NZ summer visiting our son'and his family in Queensland then spending time with our other son and family in NZ and on the boat.

Intend to head back ton the Lau and distribute reading glasses then off to New Cal