Irie II now in the PIT at Vuda Marina until cyclone season is over. Al will be back in the USA for a few weeks.

Got bored waiting on Silhouette so went gunk holding in the MaManutha Island Group. To see my track go to blog and click on SPOT.

Back in Vuda Point for some mail and provisioning and to visit Bob. And a little engine work - air in fuel system, and to trouble shoot watermaker, and to get scuba tanks inspected, and to . . .

Arrived Musket Cove at 1500 on 17/09/16. Tranny repaired. I hope. Now to go see some of Fiji. Starting with the festivies at Musket Cove resort. It's been awhile since I've been to a party. Think I drank too much last night, but heck it's my birthday.

Arrived Vuda Point Marina at 1500 on 28/07/16. Tranny getting worst, took about a minute to engage. all checked in, rested and now to find some parts to fix that darn tranny. Other then that - All Good.

0900eta to Navula Pass and then to Vuda Point Marina to fix that tranny, Other then that - All Good.

Just south of Savu, heading for Vuda Point. Making good time but not good enough to make it before dark,Will heave to and wait.

Transmission still acting up, had to sail out of SavuSavu. Other then that - All Good.

Leaving Savusavu Tuesday for Vuda Point. Transmission issues to be repaired there. Will sail all the way and save that slipping tranny until I need it. Other then that - All Good.

Arrive Savusavu, just in time to pay the overtime fees. Yeah All Good.

55nm to go to get to people and internet and restaurants and bars and worst of all, taxes and fees. Oh well it was a good trip. All Good.

A couple rain showers last night with more rain clouds to the north of me. All Good.

After raising anchor a couple of whales came by and said bye. Right whales inside N. Minerva reef. On the way out fish ate my lures.

Moved to the south side yesterday after the rain stopped. Will be leaving for Suvasuva, Fiji before noon.

Raining for the last 12 hrs. A little after midnight winds switched to the SSW, then picked up to 25-30kts. Winds slowly dropping for the last 2hrs. Thinking the cold front came a little earlier then the GRIBs forecasted.

Moved to the Northside of N. Minerva since the wind went that way. Plan on leaving for Fiji after the cold front passes, Fri or Sat.

waiting to leave for Fiji

Arrive North Minerva Reef just before sunset yesterday. It's a lot calmer inside at high tide then S.M. Only boat here until this morning. Someone called me on the VHF at sunrise, then took a look at the AIS and she is also coming in. Oh well so much for paradise to myself. The other 3 boats I made the crossing with are still in S. Minerva with plans on coming here soon and then to Tonga. I'm the only one planning on going to Fiji from here unless the incoming yacht is headed that way.

Leaving for North Minerva Reef sometime this morning.

At Anchor insaide South Minerva Reef. Caught a small Wahoo. Might be here for a week according to the weather report. Winds and waves still strong for the next few days and then switch from the north in a few days, and that's the direction I want to go. At least I can sleep for a few hours instead of minutes.

Still Rock and rolling. Gremlins chewed the Reefing line to the second reef point just before dark. Was going to drop a sail about that time anyway, just not the main, to slow down to be able to make the passed thru South Minerva reef after sunrise. At 0700 I'm 7nm away. Will let the sun get a little higher to be able to see the reef better. And to listen to the weather report from Gulf Harbor to see how long I can stay. And try to catch a fish for breakfast.

Engine Start Battery dead. If it wasn't illegal I would throw it overboard to save weight. Burial at sea. Easy fix, just turn a switch to the house bank. Just can't run them down low or else no engine start. Seas getting bigger coming from the stern quater, really making for a rock and roll ride, but I'm not complaining, just enjoying being at sea. Now if it gets any worst . . .

Good day yesterday, was able to take one layer of clothing off - foul weather gear, but keeping it close by, just in case it start raining again. Getting warmer, almost 60 deg. F. Might be able to take off the next layer today. Had been close by 2 other boats the first 2 days because we were motoring, now the winds are here they are gone, Them big sailboats can really move when the wind shows up, but they don't motor that fast.

Winds gusty to 20knts. Put a 2nd reef in the main with stay sail. Made things a litle comfortable. About half way to Minerva reef.

Been motoring since Marsen Cove, 36HOURS non stop. Winds pickup around midnight. All sails up, engine off.

Been motoring since Marsen Cove. at least another day of this cold, no wind rainy weather. at least the curent good.

In Marsen's Cove, Checking out of NZ 14 June, heading for Fiji via Minerva Reef.

In Marsen's Cove, doing a few sea trials the past few days, Heading back to Town Basin in the morning for final preparations to depart next week for Fiji.