17/8/2012
Position Neiafu, Vavau, Tonga
Cleared out – Immigration, Harbour Master, Customs. What a palaver. Fueled up and got the provisions we need. All set to leave first thing tomorrow morning.
Rob and I had dinner at the Vava restaurant. It is run by an Englishman, Lawrence. We had calculated the last of our Tonga money, then I screwed up by ordering a steak when I misread the menu – fish steak vs beef steak. It was a good steak, but it meant that Rob’s beer consumption had to be significantly reduced. As it was we didn’t have enough and had to persuade Lawrence to take some US dollars too.
18/8/2012
Position 14:00 UTC +13 18 46.137S 174 41.155W
Up at 06:30 – engines on at 06:45 – cast off 06:50 and on our way. Cleared the outer islands at 08:05. Put main and genny up and set course for the Havanah Channel. Had to change course to avoid Late Island. Rob and Joyce saw some whales breaching – probably Humpbacks.
The wind, once we had cleared the islands, was a comfortable 13. Set full main and genny, sailing very nicely thank you. However the wind built so that by 18:30 we had the main down to No.3 reef and within the hour the genny was reefed to No. 2. The sea state got lumpier and more uncomfortable, but we were going great guns. I imagined the Pacific to be tropical, certainly where we are, but it has turned very cold. Having to wear foulies and warm clothes.
19/8/2012
Position 14:UTC +13 19 18.653S 176 59.337W
A hectic night with the wind gusting up to 25knots. Cloudy, cold and uncomfortable.
20/8/2012
By 03:00 the wind had dropped so that we could shake out one reef to No.2. By 09:45 it had dropped and veered enough for the asym to go up and the skies have cleared leaving some cloud but at least there is some sun too
Cheers
Chris
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