The cabin of a small yacht is truly a wonderful thing; not only will it shelter you from a tempest, but from the other troubles in life, it is a safe retreat.
[password]LR110
[status]
position: 33 52.35s 151 12.47e
date: 24/06/2014
image: Sight for sore eyes
We arrived at the Expedition center this morning to be greeted by Betsie and another of his customers vehicles on display out the front of the work shop. Was great to drive down the road and see it!!!
tittle: A big day in Sydney It's been a big day.
First up, there is no conceivable way I could navigate Sydney in a car without a GPS. At one stage we were on the M5 in a tunnel that went for nearly 6km, which of course threw the GPS reception off, only emerged at the far end of the tunnel and miss our exit ramp while the gps was still figuring out where we had ended up!!! We are getting to see some off the beaten tourist route parts of suburban Sydney as we go, so it's all fun.
It was good to finally see Betsie again and the pop top in the flesh. The workmanship is great, we are really happy with what has been done. Looking forward to getting on the road and using it! I had a bit of a struggle getting the rest of the shelves to fit, as the fridge had to be moved slightly to fit around the new interior profiles, but I got them fitted in the end. A few more odds and ends to do tomorrow and it should be ready to roll.
Hoping to hit the road on Friday.
[password] godd
[position]23 28.168s 178 59.204w
[status] charging toward Savusavu
[speed] 8.4kt
[heading] 332m
[weather] 95% cloud cover, 20 - 25kt se, bar 1015, 2-3m sea
we just had a quick look in North Minerva, however the canoes with naked female locals did not appear fast enough to greet us, so we left.
The other reason being it was blowing 20 - 25 kts with a nasty breaking sea, not unlike Wellington harbour, another two nights at sea was more appealing.
[password] godd
[position]23 57.281s 178 59.591w
[status] just pass Sth Minerva, approaching Nth Minerva
[speed] 7.8kt
[heading] 350m
[weather] 100% cloud cover, se 15 - 25kts, bar 1019, sea lumpy
[END]
[password] soesch
[gulfharbour]
[position] 19 04.5S 178 10.5E
[status] Moved from the anchorage in the channel between Galoa and Kadavu (19 03.91s 178 10.63e) around the corner since the wind backed to ESE. Had a great day at the local rugby match yesterday and brought our friend Veronika to the airport. Heading in and out of Vunisea is still a rough ride. Did sevusevu at Galoa village yesterday evening among some very friendly people.
[weather] ESE 20-25, 90% clc, Baro 1016mbar[END]
[password] godd
[position]26 15.680s 179 38.551e
[status] nice breeze, now on starboard tack, temp up.
[speed] 7.5kt sog
[heading] 015m cog
[weather] 80% cloud cover, 15 - 20 e, bar 1023, sea slight
all good on board, no fish.
[END]
[password] 1116
[position] 16 53S 168 32E
[speed] 0knts
[heading] 0T
[status] Sailed from Emae Island to NW Tongoa. We could not safely land a dinghy on the rocky shore to find someone to pay our 500 VT (US$ 5) fee each for diving there, so we had to let Jon from Evergreen swim ashore through the surf to do the honors. The wall dive was quite nice.
[diving]
position: 16 52.359s 168 31.821e
title: Tongoa Wall
Amazing diving on the north side of the wall with lots of soft coral, fans, and sea creatures including banana nudibranch. The customary fee is 500 VT payable on shore although a higher fee may be requested.
