[p]beale12.4
[s]
pos: 18 43.308s 174 06.093w
Date: 11/06/2017 14:00 gmt+12:00
Phew
Had to stop for a row around the bay, here at the Coral Gardens. We set off with no wind, bright sun and a sparkling bay, Joanne rowing for the practice and a tiny bit of exercise.
The rain started and the wind turned to the south, ie directly from the direction of our now slightly distant boat.
All the hatches open in the boat to let in the breeze. Of course.
No problem, stop rowing and start the outboard, feeling smug it starts so well.
Lesson number 17 - never feel smug.
Of course we ran out of fuel as the wind freshened and the chop increased. The return row directly into the now strong headwind fulfills my desire for some exercise. Always a silver lining. And the rain only lasted long enough to dampen, not drench our beds. Or our spirits.
We are anchored here, relaxing after a lovely feast last night, put on by a local Tongan landowner called David, his wife and a subset of his 11 children. 18 boats turned up in the bay during the course of the day, and I think there were probably 50 or so for dinner. A suckling pig on a spit, and a host of other Tongan foods. Octopus, raw fish Kokodo style, taro, taro leaves with minced pork, sweet taro, coleslaw and other salads. (We're a bit wary of the uncooked foods because of doubts about the water the greens were washed in)
A great evening finished off with a guitar and (of course) Johny Cash's Ring of Fire for the local entertainment.
The Tongan kids are very cool.
Actually, some of the cruising kids off the boats are pretty cool too. One of them, probably 12 years old, just helped his mum and dad sail their cat from Tahiti to here.
And now, today, Sitting in the bay watching two kite surfers along the reef, I feel like a kite (and a few lessons) would have been a good addition to the cruising kit. There's always next trip.
We've got our Vava'u guide out now, thinking about where next on this trip. The eastern edge (the wild side) is calling.

[END]