Fruit

Just another reason to love the tropics, fresh fruit, just sitting eating lunch with Eva and we are sharing a Papya with a squeeze of lime, it doesn't come much better, the weather is a bit unsettled at the moment, still 25 degrees but a few showers, I could think of worse places to be held up, eating out for dinner is $7-10 and its good, I can't cook for that so it has been a great chance to have a break, a few early nights and a full recharge before we head up around the top.
Savusavu is a really interesting place and there is no better introduction ticket to the locals than Eva so we are meeting and greeting and enjoying just hanging out here.
As the 11th of July approaches and naturally we remember all to readily the events of two years ago both Eva and I miss Karen like a crazy, there isn't a day that goes by that we don't miss sharing our lives with our very special mum, wife and soul mate. Eva and I are developing a connection that is beyond words, we are very much friends and now that she is able to communicate all too clearly what she does and doesn't want it is easy for us to understand each other and laugh, cry and argue, that's normal with a two year old right :-)
Ok, more please is beckoning, Eva is seriously the human garbage disposal, eat she does, and anything at that.

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Fiji

An amazing three days of sailing, it doesn't come any better, and here we are in Fiji, it is always great here and brings back many fond memories, time to relax and recharge, explore and enjoy.

We caught a mahi mahi yesterday, got it close to the boat and a far bigger fish decided our dinner was now theirs, never mind, also encountered a massive pod of dolphins that hung with us for an hour, they seemed to enjoy performing to Eva's, jump dolphin jump then clapping :-)

Eva is a gem, stubborn, pigheaded, independent, counts to ten, smart a daughter to be proud of and drive you nuts at the same time.

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Fiji

Morning all, left Tonga for Fiji at 9:30 this morning, stunning day with 10-12 knot easterly so pretty much flat off, hoisted the big dragon spinnaker at the exit of the reef and dont look like bringing it down until Savusavu, currently bang on course doing just over 6 knots.
Have also decided to use the hydrovane which basically steers to the wind on its own steam without using any power, very cool and keeps the shoot in perfect trim, ok Eva is after drink so need to fly, what are you doing right now :-)

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39

Yesterday I told Eva it is my birthday tomorrow, she said straight away candles, and then proceeded to try and blow them out, so 39 today and it starts early with a trip to the doctor to have a small incision put in Eva's very full boil, no matter how often or how prepared I am it is still the hardest thing for me to hear her cry or see her in pain, the theory of a little now so there isn't a lot later doesn't really wash with a two year old :-)
So the rest of my birthday will be clearing here and setting sail for Fiji via the northern group, it is a stunning morning here and looks like being a perfect next week with 10-12 knots s slow sailing but beautiful. I am sure I can fit in a coffee or two as well.
I've missed a few birthdays and anniversary's but i am sure you will forgive me, without internet access I don't get my reminders, Loretta, Mark & Emma, Mum and Dad to name a few so again belated but remembered.

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A thousand words in abscence of a picture

Eva, three Tonga kids, all holding hands, Eva with flowers behind her that the kids had put there, wandering through the village, pigs and piglets everywhere, if only Karen could see her daughter and the experiences she is having.

Only a couple more nights here before heading to Fiji via a northern Tongan island, the weather is still stunning, a steady 12-15 knot easterly, 25-30 degrees both in and out of the water, living the dream.

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Snorkelling te Coral Gardens

The lady who founded Moorings Yacht Charters once said any reef after this would seem dead, friends on another boat looked after Eva this afternoon so I could snorkel the Coral gardens which was amazing, white tip reef shark to boot, very special.

Tomorrow we head to Blue Lagoon then through to the lake like paradise that is Hunga Lagoon and then back into the big smoke for some provisions before heading to Fiji via another island group 160 miles north.

Its warm, its sunny, stunning sailing in 15-20 knots and both Eva and I are thriving and blossoming, need to catch some more fish but if that is the biggest problem we have then all is not so bad.

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Funnier by the minute

Eva is starting to string sentences together and becoming so incredibly funny, she really is hilarious and her extended family in the cruising group is really helping her development, we have had a few challenges along the way but it is great to feel that I am completely and utterly doing the right thing for both of us, for all those in NZ it is absolutely pissing it down here tonight, but its still 30 degrees :-)

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Vavau, Tonga

After a 70 mile day sail we are now safely anchored in Port Maurelle, a stunning anchorage in the Vauvau Group, Tonga. This is a truly amazing place, I could easily spend a whole season here just exploring, it will be a hard place to leave.

Eva has been a star, she continues to develop and become such a little girl, it amazes me every day and I am so proud of her.

Haven't resolved the crew issues yet but either way come Fiji I am pretty stuffed, hope to sort something that works for all.

Fading fast so signing off, just a quick update so you know where we are.

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