Moved to our new temporary home at Pier 21 Marina, really close to the centre of Auckland. Ithaka is our next door neighbour with Obsession opposite; we've been given a warm welcome by all the other boats. Pier 21 is a very small marina with only about a dozen cruising yachts and a few live-aboards.

An overnight stop in the little Fairway Bay Marina (35 boats) just next to the massive Gulf Harbour Marina (over 1000 boats!). Heading into Auckland tomorrow.

Third time lucky? Hope the map will be right now....

Not anchored off Montevideo as the previous update suggested! An extra digit in the lat / long methinks!

A good sail down the coast from Tutukaka, with a dolphin escort for 15 minutes. Anchored in North Cove, Kawau Island for the night. Very sheltered and the bay is ringed with small and large batches (holiday homes) each with its own jetty.

At last our engine has been returned to health! Anchored out in Urapukapuka Bay with Kiapa, heading down to Tutakaka this morning. Spell-checker is confused.

Arrived Opua at 16.20. Perfect timing '€“ the wind blew us into the Bay of Islands, with up to 30 knots in some big rain squalls, then quit as we got close to the final approaches to Opua, leaving us with just 5 miles to motor at slow speed. The diesel stocks lasted! Clear in and biosecurity checks all went smoothly and, as we were expecting to have to wait until tomorrow morning to complete them, it'€™s a bonus to be in a marina berth. Of to the Opua Cruising Club for a meal and some celebratory drinks!

Ran out of fuel, to all intents and purposes, at 15.30 yesterday. A few litres left in the tank for final manoeuvres into Opua. So, hoisted the Parasailor spinnaker and ghosted along for a while then the wind came up in the evening and we had great sailing. At 01.30 we switched to white sail (goosewinged) as we were up to 18 knots '€“ peaked at 22 knots but seems to be dropping now. Concerned we'€™ll run slap bang into the middle of the low just as we approach the Bay of Islands and end up unable to get in!!

Continued motoring/ motor sailing south for NZ! 180 miles to Bay of Islands. ETA Opua Thursday late afternoon. With all this motoring we were seriously worried that we'€™d run out of diesel before the northerlies arrived. Then, yesterday afternoon, our AIS showed a ship, the m/v Victoire, a tanker on passage to Tahiti, approaching at 12.5 knots from our starboard with a CPA of 800 ft.. After calling her to confirm that we had seen her and would alter course to starboard to pass behind her, we explained our predicament with the fuel and the oncoming weather and asked if they might be able to let us have 25 litres. Knowing that it would be impossible to stop the 285 ft tanker, we suggested they drop a not-quite-full can into their wake, with a retrieval rope attached, and we'd chase it and pick it up with the boathook. Which is exactly what happened. The Victoire didn't slow down at all but did quite a scary s-turn towards us; we saw the can hit the water at their stern and picked it up in a textbook man-overboard manoeuver. Bless the captain and crew of the Victoire and thanks to whoever was looking kindly upon us to send a tanker to cross our bows! All well aboard

Wind dropped overnight so motoring towards 30 51s 173 59e then will turn south for NZ! Expect to be motoring all day then N wind kicking in tomorrow. 310 miles to Bay of Islands. All well aboard.

Delighted to sail for six hours yesterday pm before returning to motor sailing through the night. Frustrating that southerly wind and lumpy seas prevented us from achieving a more direct course to our waypoint 30s 170e; instead had to tack in stages. All well aboard.

The wind finally returned at about 17.00 yesterday so we hoisted the Parasailor spinnaker for the second time on this passage and had great sailing through the night. Wind steadily increased and backed from NNE to NNW so at 03.30 we did the Discretion vs Valour calculation and swapped back to white sails; it slowed us by a knot but proved to be the right decision as we hit rain and, briefly, 20 knots of wind at 06.30. Still making for waypoint 30s 170e to meet the south-westerlies. All well aboard

Great sailing throughout yesterday until the wind dropped at 22.00 when we started motor sailing. Now making for waypoint 30s 170e. All well aboard

Good sailing since yesterday afternoon but into rain showers now so the wind speed is up and down. Making for waypoint 26s 173e. All well aboard

Wind finally arrived late yesterday afternoon so we managed to sail apart from 3 hours of motor-sailing during the night. All well aboard, nice not to listen to the engine.

On passage Suva to Opua, motoring. After a good start yesterday, with a 3 hour spinnaker reach, the wind dropped away so we have been motoring since 14.00. All well aboard, hoping to find some wind later today.

Ready to depart Suva

Wishing we had moved to the other anchorage, as per our last post, but the visibility in persistent rain was very poor. Yesterday the sun came out at last after days of rain and the wind dropped so we went into town. On our return we were greeted with the terrible news that Maunie had dragged her anchor (firmly bedded in for 10 days!) as a rain squall came though and she scraped past a large metal mooring buoy. Lots of scratches and scores on the hull but luckily no serious damage thanks to quick thinking by fellow yachties on Obsession and Navara.

A sad end to a really varied and interesting cruising season but we are departing tomorrow (Tuesday) for NZ. We'll update YIT each morning on passage.

It is certainly Soggy Suva this morning. Hoping to move to the Tradewinds anchorage for a change of scene today if the visibility lifts!

Still enjoying Suva in fine weather. Steadily getting Maunie ready for the passage to NZ so refilled fuel and water tanks yesterday; just watching the weather forecasts for that elusive perfect window. Tomorrow is Fiji Day and apparently there are some events taking place at the University today so we'll go and have a look.

about 8 cruising boats in uva

A really cracking sail up to Suva this morning in a 16 knot wind from the East - arrived at 13.30. Ashore to explore the delights of the Royal Suva Yacht Club and supper with Sel Citron and Kiapa this evening - they are here by car having done the Bega shark dive this morning.

Wind calmed in the night and it looks like a beautiful morning. Leaving for Suva at 07.00, ETA mid-afternoon

Gusty winds and some rain showers overnight, clouds look as though they may be breaking up a little this morning. Our anchorage is pretty sheltered but the gusts sweep around either end of the island (which lies N '€“ S) so we are swinging around the anchor a bit. Still aiming to sail to Suva tomorrow so as to be able to watch the England Australia game on Sunday morning.

A really lovely sail, even though it was hard on the wind with a couple of tacks, into Herald Pass on the west side of the Astrolabe Reef and then to the anchorage to the west side of Namara Island. It was fun chasing the windshifts and picking our way through the waves, hand-steering the whole way, proper sailing. Should be very well protected here from the stronger E winds forecast for tomorrow. All very well aboard.

Had a great couple of days in Vunisea, meeting up with the family of Bis and Joanna from Fulaga. Planning to move back up to Dravuni, North Astrolabe, today to wait out Friday's winds before moving up to Suva (hopefully on Saturday)

Glad we moved to the west end of Kadavu yesterday - ashore to explore this morning

Sailed across to the SW corner of Kadavu, anchored at Vunisea. Very poor visibility in drizzle was not great for weaving past the coral into the anchorage - thank goodness for good Google Earth images and a track from s/v Navara to follow.

There is reported to be a supermarket, a bottle store and a veg market here so we look forward to exploring these delights tomorrow! Meanwhile, good internet signal viad Vodafone.

Back to Ono to find the slow internet connection and to look at the forecasts for any hint that the clouds might lift!

It seems that we haven'€™t seen blue sky since about last Wednesday but at least it'€™s dry and cloud base has lifted this morning. Yesterday the excitement (apart from a very good banana cake and the gift of a fish from a local fisherman) was the arrival of the Fijian Navy. A patrol boat came steaming into the bay at full speed towards us but suddenly slowed and did a U-turn when we put our AIS transponder on; they were obviously looking for someone but thankfully it was not us! We'€™d really like a return to sunshine and blue sky to let us explore the Kadavu coast.

Note to the YIT technical team '€“ the offline feature on the Google App Launcher, where we could enter our data onto the normal form and copy it onto a plain text email, seems to have stopped working; nothing happens when you click on Logon.

Anchored in a mangrove bay near the shop (there is just one and it'€™s fairly basic, though Tui the owner kindly gave us some veg from his own garden). Have just returned from sevusevu at Kavala where we were warmly welcomed and the kava was pounded there and then. The ebbing tide threatened to leave the dinghy high and dry on the shallows in front of the village so we had to make an early exit after four rounds of the bilo or else, we suspect, we'€™d have been there all night! Shame about the dismal weather as the bay looks stunning and we can'€™t see anything but the lower slopes of the hills surrounding us. No internet access here.

This bay looks like a Scottish sea loch, complete with fir trees (plus palms). Unfortunately the weather is distinctly Scottish too - strong gusts and heavy rain. At least we didn't feel the tsunami wave travelling from Chile - it was forecast to reach Fiji during the night. Hoping for betther weather soon!

Anchored off Nabouwalu village - had a good hike up over the hills to get a view of Kadavu yesterday. Planning to had another day here with some snorkelling.

Anchored in the west side of Ono island; completed our sevusevu in the village (70 inhabitants) this afternoon.

Anchored just off the little uninhabited island of Namara '€“ very clear water with good coral and fish life so great snorkelling. We plan to be here another day or two before heading south to Ono

Anchored of Dravuni Island, Astrolabe Reef. A large cruise ship with 1900 passangers has just anchored 800m away so the village (pop 120) is ready to entertain! They have installed an impressive set of steel piles and added floating pontoons to them last night so the visitors can get ashore with dry feet. May just have to go and watch the fun!

Oops! Cocked up the longitude on the last update - this is the correct location of Dravuni!

Left Leleuvia at 02.00 this morning and had a brilliantly fast sail down to Dravuni in the Astrolabe Reef with a 20+ knot ENE wind giving us a lovely beam reach. Anchored of Dravuni village, about to go ashore to present our sevusevu.

Arrived at Leleuvia island this afternoon in mirror-calm conditions. Brief rain and then wind has swung around to the south this evening. Met Darrel & Sonia on Donella here so great to catch up with them over Happy Hour drinks in the very friendly resort (which provides free moorings).

Arrived at Leleuvia island this afternoon in mirror-calm conditions. Brief rain and then wind has swung around to the south this evening. Met Darrel & Sonia on Donella here so great to catch up with them over Happy Hour drinks in the very friendly resort (which provides free moorings).

Ghosting along under spinnaker past Livuka, Overlau, in a very gentle breeze, The sea's flat calm so at least the wind isn't being shaken out of the sails. Heading for Leleuvia island.

Arrived safely at Makogai anchorage at 16.00 after a really lovely sail '€“ a beam reach with flat sea. Perfect.

Anchored off the Cousteau resort near Savusavu and about to depart for Makogi. Flat calm at the moment so hoping for some breeze as we clear the point and head SW.

Returned to Savusavu for re-provisioning and the first restaurant meal in 10 weeks - wonderful Indian cooking at the Surf and Turf!

Back on one of the moorings in Viani Bay for a few days of boat work and admin. Calm as for the past 4 days but the trough went through last night so we had brief heavy rain and the wind has swung around to the SW. We'll wait another day for the sky to clear before heading towards Savusavu for a decent re-stock of provisions, gas and diesel. Have just posted a video of the new canoe building project in Fulaga at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrPpfdjNydY

Arrived safely at Matei anchorage, Taveuni, at just before midday '€“ ashore for a quick shopping expedition so we now have beer and some wine to accompany a meal featuring fresh, crunchy vegetables! Wonderful.

A magic carpet ride of a passage '€“ the wind steadily dropped through the night but the sea also calmed to 0.5m waves so our beam reach gave us a very steady 15 degrees of heel and a comfortable motion. Taveuni, with its usual covering of cloud, and Qamea are in sight. We'€™ll probably have to motor through the passage between the islands but that'€™ll recharge the batteries nicely. We plan to anchor near the airport at Matai to get ashore for pizza, beer and some shopping!

Very sad to leave Fulaga after seven and a half weeks! Lovely sailing conditions, though, for the 175nm passage to Taveuni - departed at 06.40, ETA mid-morning Saturday

Cold, windy and wet here in Fulaga! The past couple of days have been particularly unpleasant and we are getting tired of the wind whistling in the rigging. However there'€™s great shoreside entertainment and activity with the final stages of the construction of a new dugout sailing canoe '€“ we'€™ve been donating materials and fixings as well as labour so we'€™re hoping for a launch this week. This is the first canoe to be built here in 7 years so it'€™s wonderful to see it happening '€“ a few photos and descriptions on our blog www.maunieofardwall.blogspot.com The weather looks to remain windy and unsettled through until the weekend so we'€™ll be here for another week we think.

Still pretty breezing in Fulaga but it seems to be calming this morning. Yesterday a Government ship arrived with officials representing every department and commission (21 of them) so over 100 people were ferried ashore through the narrow boat pass on the SW side of the island as the main pass was too rough for the ship. The poor villagers have had to feed them and find them places to sleep overnight whilst they carried out inspections and had meetings with the elders. It'€™ll be interesting to find out what has been said and promised!

Yesterday the wind came up in the morning and it has blown like snot since '€“ occasional gusts up to 30kts. We'€™re back in the village anchorage where we have excellent shelter from the wind chop but, even so, it'€™s a wet dinghy ride ashore. The villagers are all complaining of the wind and the cold and it'€™s certainly not what was on the brochure! Ah well, plenty to do ashore '€“ we climbed '€˜The Mountain'€™ (about 200ft but the highest point on the island) yesterday and, apart from nearly being blown off it, were rewarded with wonderful views of the surf crashing onto the southern reef.

We'€™re having our host family aboard for lunch today then back into the village for a fundraiser this evening.

Thanks for the relays! Last night evryone saw on dark, a large fireball about the size of the moon, traverse the sky from E to W and then explode in a fireball. Accompanied by a sonic boom.

Yesterday was a perfect, calm day with bright sunshine and today'€™s setting up to be pretty similar, though the breeze clocked around to the SE overnight. Sorry not to be able to add a photo as the anchorage is stunning '€“ we are surrounded by mushroom-shaped rocks, their bases eroded into impossibly narrow necks in some cases, and the dawn lights made them glow pink. Wow!

We've moved over to a quiet anchorage in the ESE of the Fulaga lagoon for a rest from all the village activities! Beautiful morning and a stunning location.

Now into our 4th week in Fulaga and still loving it. Shame about the weather, though. Its been really quite chilly in the evenings and we haven't seen a proper sunny day for nearly a week! Off into the village today to help distribute reading glasses, brought by Sel Citron, to those who need them.

They were on radio relay duties this morning - thanks from GHR

We've moved over to the Sandspit anchorage in the ESE of the Fulaga lagoon. A big village picnic took place here yesterday - 14 yachties plus about 35 locals enjoying wonderful crab (both land and sea crabs, all cooked in a lovo earth oven) and fish, plus 'pot luck' dishes from the yachts. Ana's birthday (from Ithaka) was celebrated with a great cake made by Ma the baker. Quite a day!

Wonderful day in Fulaga yesterday. We joined the women of all three villages for their annual fundraiser - each contributing to a communal fund to buy new school uniforms for every child. Singing, dancing and much silliness; hugely entertaining.

On the way back to the boat we joined in a volleyball game with 6 locals; this soon attracted a crowd and we had about 22 people so teams rotated and it all got quite competitive! The folks here are wonderfully welcoming and are delighted to have the addition of us yachties in their community.

Arrived safely in Fulaga having sailed with Ithaka from Qamea; the wind changed quickly to SW and increased to 15 knots at 08.00 so we had a good final sail in. Arrived just at the same time as the German boats Anico and Antares so there was a stately four boat procession through the pass into the lagoon. After a recovery this afternoon we'll head into the village in the morning to present our sevusevu and meet old friends.

A really good passage so far - sunshine and a 15 knot wind for a comfortable close reach yesterday but we had a few rain squalls at 21.00 as the wind went from NE to NNW. Motoring since midnight.

ETA Fulaga is around 09.00 so hoping for a gap in the rain to go in. At least we have last year's tracks to follow but we'd prefer some decent visibility for the narrow and shallow bits!

On passage to from Qamea. Expecting favourable winds today and lots of rain squalls tomorrow as the trough passes over. No such thing as a perfect weather window!!

a good sheltered anchorage

Moved across to Naiviivi Bay, Qamea Island this morning - a deep inlet with densely wooded hills and mangrove-lined shores that offer protected anchoring even in cyclone conditions. Should be fine with a 25-30 knot SE over the next couple of days then!

Left Viani Bay this morning after a wonderful few days of snorkelling and diving on the spectacular Rainbow Reef. The soft corals and fish life are superb.

Motored across to Matei this morning to replenish provisions in the very good 'Sun City Supermarket' and the lovely fruit & veg stall. Heading across to Qamea island tomorrow for a snug anchorage while 25 knot SE'lies blow for a few days

Moved onto a mooring in Viani Bay vacated by Ithaka and enjoying some superb snorkelling and exceptional Scuba diving here (the Great White Wall is amazing). Wind is quite brisk outside the bay but Taveuni Island is a wonderful wind-break; a little swell beginning to roll into the bay but otherwise it's pretty perfect.

Anchored in Viani Bay after a very pleasant motor-sail from Savusavu, with whales and dolphins for company.

The anchorage next to Jack's moorings isn't great (lots of coral heads to snag the anchor and chain and the visibility isn't great at the moment so it's hard to spot them in the deeper water) so we came back to a spot we used last year - anchored in a 7m patch, mostly sand and good holding, but with Maunie's stern only a few metres from the shallow reef behind us. Wouldn't be happy here in a stiff SEly but it's fine in these conditions.

Motor sailing from Savuvavu to Viani Bay (departed at 03.00, ETA 11.00) All well aboard and it's good to be on the move again. Hoping for a E to NE wind for the passage to Fulaga in the next couple of days.

Anchored near the Cousteau Resort - for clean water and fresher breezes. Excellent snorkelling on 'Split Rock' with the zebra fish chasing us for food yesterday!

Celebrated Tom's birthday on Exit Strategy last night, a great night; we're back into Savusavu to get our Cruising Permit today and to do a restock ready to head off for the Lau Group later this week.

Safely arrived in Savusavu at 10.15 local time after a great sail overnight; a nice welcome committee from Sel Citron, Ithaka and Exit Strategy. Now just waiting for the officials to clear us in so that we can move to a mooring and crack open a celebratory beer.

Wind was up and down in the night so first reef in the main set and then shaken out again several times over. Otherwise good sailing. Only 19 miles to go to Savusavu! Looking forward to landfall.

Just west of Gau Island, about to thread our way past Batiki Island and some off-lying reefs. Good sailing all day today and the wind has dropped a little so making smooth progress, albeit against a little adverse current. All well aboard.

Excellent sailing - breeze built to 22 knots last night but down to 16 knots tonight. Sighted land - Matuku Island - 30nm to starboard. All well aboard.

all good

Departed Minerva Reef at 12.30 Monday as part of a mass exodus (only 4 or 5 boats remained there). Steady, if slightly rolly, downwind sailing though the wind reduced a bit overnight. Spinnaker to be launched soon! All well aboard.

Still anchored in North Minerva Reef but planning to depart for Savusavu at midday local, eta Thursday morning. The front passed over us around midnight with a light shower and some 20kt squalls as the wind backed.

Safely anchored in North Minerva Reef. We arrived at 10.00, just as the wind swung to the NE. Perfect timing! 11 boats here already, with more on their way. Anchored in 12m over sand; crystal clear water so a swim is planned! All extremely well on board.

Finally, after 37 hours of motoring, the engine went off at 17.20 yesterday and we had good sailing in an E to ENE 10-12kt breeze though the night. The wind dropped at dawn so we are back under engine but only 19 miles fro Minerva Reef so should be anchored there by late morning. All well aboard.

Still motoring (apart from one hour with a lovely 12 kt beam reach yesterday) but comfortable as mainsail just filled. Still heading for Minerva. All very well aboard.

Wind finally died at 04.30 today so started motoring and expect to continue under engine for the next 24 hours.

However, yesterday was a bonus with smooth sailing in 10 - 12kts. Flew the Parasailor until dusk and had a lone Albatross swooping around the boat for a little while.

Heading for Minerva with an ETA of Saturday noon. All very well aboard.

Great sailing yesterday but a frustrating night with rain squalls, wind shifts and the wind dropping, leaving us rolling. Gybed the boat twice during the night (main and pole) and it looks as though we are in for a light day. All well aboard, just a bit sleep-deprived.

A very good 24 hours - seas calming and a steady Force 4-5 wind up our transom. Goose-winged and making good progress, heading NE to skirt around the east side of the high, hope the wind holds for us.

Obsession, Leeward, Iolere and Sea Whisper all within VHF range yesterday. All well aboard on Maunie

Departed Opua at noon yesterday. Parasailor (spinnaker) hoisted in Bay of Islands and flown until midnight when wind increased to 22kts and increased seas made things interesting. All well aboard, though it was a chilly night.

Clearing out of Opua this morning and we'll be on passage for Savusavu. ETA late Monday 25th May or early the following morning. We'll update YIT every morning.

Back in Opua Marina after re-launch; maintenance work and propeller re-fit all completed successfully. Waiting for the next weather window to depart for Fiji - we're hopeful it'll be Sunday 17th or Monday 18th May.

In the Bay of Islands Marina, Opua, for a night before hauling out to refit our newly-refurbished folding propeller and to polish Maunie's bottom for optimum sailing speed.

Returned to the mooring in Opua; watermaker re-commissioned in the clear waters of the Bay of Islands, rig checks completed, pretty much ready to go.

At anchor, off Roberton Island. Beautifully calm evening.

TEST: On the mooring, heading into the Opua Cruising Club this evening

On the mooring

We're in Opua, watching the weather.