What’s the best thing about being past the halfway mark?  The glass is more than half full?  The glass is no longer half empty?  Its getting cooler by the day?  The fresh fruit and vegtables are getting scarce?  No, the best thing is I get to start my second bar of Chocolate.  We only got two in Fiji so it was rationed.

Still not much wind but expecting a front tonight.  Hopefully this will give us a nice breeze – OK I’m aloud to hope.

We met the super yacht Adele in Fiji cruising off Savusavu and to the east.  She altered course to say hello on her trip south back to Auckland.  They described the customs procedures in Auckland as good so we may change course and go straight for Auckland.  This would save time if we would have arrived at Whangarei after dark.
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Cold enough on watch last night to need trousers. Very light breeze from the SE was enough to have us motor sailing most of the night.  The action is more comfortable and the fuel consumption lower.  68 miles to half way and we should have enough fuel for the whole trip if the light winds continue as predicted.
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Salt water in the bilge spotted when doing the engine checks.  Cause was the engine raw water pump.  I repaired this one in the Marquesas Islands in June last year and Kirsty brought a new spare to Tahiti so this was fitted and away we went.  Next the battery monitor was showing no battery charge – Alternator checked out OK so faulty meter.  All conspired to use all the sundowner drinks/leisure time.  I did manage my limy pork dish though for dinner.

Head winds too light to make progress so motoring still.
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Managed to keep the boat speed up but with the light winds coming from where we want to go the true progress was slow. Wind has died now so motoring.  The forecasts have quite a bit of calm areas.  We have fuel to spare to repeat the current pattern of motoring and sailing – that is motoring about 50% of the time.  Many thanks to Assari at Wiatui Marina for helping with ferrying the cans.
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Motored until we got to the front just south of Fiji at 18:00 last night.  This front comes off a low a long way south close to New Zealand!  Now got good winds and we are close hauled on the port tack heading off to the SW to get westing in before the wind shifts later.  Already a bit cooler so fleeces on for night watches.  Cloud cover hid the small waxing moon.  Hopefully we will see more of him tonight.  Moon is lit from the bottom making him look like a hammock in the sky.
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Tito at the customs in Savusavu took time out from his Church’s sports day to clear us out on Fiji Day (Monday 11th October).  We left at 15:00 and very little wind so far.  Red ferry from Savusavu came up close to see who we were in the middle of the night – I think they go well below full speed to time arrival for dawn at Suva.  We got the full search light scrutiny!
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Beginning to focus on being back in New Zealand ready to fly home for Andrew’s graduation at the end of November. Now correct to call him Doctor Wilson. We may leave Fiji as early as Monday 11th October.

Fiji is a super place to visit. The pictures of the time here with Rebecca are on the web. Depending on who comes to visit next year, we may come back in late April/early May as it’s so friendly, low on flies and short sails between interesting anchorages. Flights are not bad either – Rebecca achieved a direct flight from LA to main island then a propeller plane connection..
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Slowed down to arrive when it got light. Last night we had the decked washed by rain which was good. The bad news was the humidity very high and so the crew were not as fresh as the decks despite a shower earlier in the day. Derek on Kalida was there to guide us in. Waitui Marina organised the check in with the authorities which was all complete by mid day.
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We are motoring in amongst the Fiji islands. All too far away to see. Tonight we should see Nathamaki at least. Timing looks perfect for dropping anchor in Savusavu at first light.

Any guesses for the menu for Lunch and dinner? Tuna is quite excellent.
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Caught a very nice yellow fin Tuna at dusk last night. Now we know we are truly in the tropics. Sea temperature up to 26’C. Good sailing breeze making 7.5 knots. Sea a little lumpy.
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