Today was the big yachting race – the race around Malolo island – about 25 miles. We were crew on Nemesis again.
We headed ashore at 10am for some pre race messing before leaving the marina and heading towards the start.
After a good start we made our way up the first beat in 4th place. Round the top of the island we hoisted the spinnaker and made good progress. Ahead of us the wind died and we could see the 2 monohulls stuck in no wind. We kept our wind for as long as possible and over took the 2 monohulls but then ran out of wind.
Unfortunately the wind filled in from behind and the rest of the fleet came powering through. We battled up the last leg and managed to finish in 7th place.
It was a good days race with a frustrating finsh!!
Back in the marina after a beer Jane (Drimia) and I went for a swim before we headed back to Newt. I stayed on Newt with a headache (despite trying to drink lots I still ended up dehydrated) and Jonny went ashore for curry night.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
8th Sept, Malolo Lailai, Fiji
Jonny took the outboard apart again this morning and after cleaning it all out went ashore to buy some new petrol. Back at Newt the outboard was put back in the water and with fingers crossed we tried to start it but no luck.
After convincing Jonny not to drop the outboard over the side we put it in the dinghy and took it ashore to see if anyone could help us. We met Ben (Silk Sheets) on his way to the bar and asked his advice as he has fixed his outboards before and another New Zealand guy stopped to help. The outboard went into the bar and the guys started working. Not sure the other people in the bar appreciated the petrol fumes and noisy outboard!! The problem was found to be a stuck float in the carburetor and after some fiddling was fixed. We took the dinghy out to Newt to test it and (fingers crossed) it seems to be running well again.
In the afternoon I headed to the pool with the girls whilst Jonny and the guys moved on to trying to fix Jeffs (Nemesis) outboard.
After speaking to Ian (Mikado) about buying his battery charger we headed back to Newt for dinner.
We headed back ashore for the Island Princess night which had a child, male and female section. The children were very cute, the men slightly worrying and the women pretty. There were 30 male entries and about 10 female!! There is a wedding here tomorrow so a lot of the guests were in the bar – they must think Yachties are a strange bunch!!
After convincing Jonny not to drop the outboard over the side we put it in the dinghy and took it ashore to see if anyone could help us. We met Ben (Silk Sheets) on his way to the bar and asked his advice as he has fixed his outboards before and another New Zealand guy stopped to help. The outboard went into the bar and the guys started working. Not sure the other people in the bar appreciated the petrol fumes and noisy outboard!! The problem was found to be a stuck float in the carburetor and after some fiddling was fixed. We took the dinghy out to Newt to test it and (fingers crossed) it seems to be running well again.
In the afternoon I headed to the pool with the girls whilst Jonny and the guys moved on to trying to fix Jeffs (Nemesis) outboard.
After speaking to Ian (Mikado) about buying his battery charger we headed back to Newt for dinner.
We headed back ashore for the Island Princess night which had a child, male and female section. The children were very cute, the men slightly worrying and the women pretty. There were 30 male entries and about 10 female!! There is a wedding here tomorrow so a lot of the guests were in the bar – they must think Yachties are a strange bunch!!
Monday, 7 September 2009
7th Sept, Malolo Lailai, Fiji
Today was the first of the serious yacht races. We had been invited as crew on Nemesis as Jonny had decided he wasn't racing Newt anymore.
We put the engine back on the dinghy and it started but cut out. After several attempts it wasn't starting so we radioed Nemesis to pick us up on the way to the start. Also on Nemesis were Ishka and Andy (Drimia).
The race was through the start, round a mark marking the edge of the reef, a beat to a mark 2 miles out and then back to the finish line. After a reasonable start we made good progress up the beat. Rounding the windward mark behind a 2 catamarans and 2 monohulls we were pleased with the beat. Back to the finish line despite some spinnaker pole issues we managed to pass one of the monohulls but another one was gaining. As we headed round the reef some indecision as to were the finish line was meant we lost one or maybe even two places but it was a good race and we are looking forward to the big race on wed.
After the race we anchored off the sandbar for an afternoon of fun activities. There was a beer drinking competiton, hairy chest competition and wet t shirt competition – none of which we entered but that provide good entertainment! And I did manage to get a free t shirt from the wet t shirt competition!! The final activity was a tug of war – New Zealand against the Rest of the World which the Rest of the World won!!
Back at Newt Jonny spent the afternoon trying to fix the outboard – replacing the fuel, checking the spark plugs but it is still not working properly. We are going to borrow T Rexs spare outboard for the rest of the week while we carry on trying to fix ours. Tomorrow we are going to buy some new fuel to make sure that there is no water/ dirt in our fuel.
We headed ashore in the evening for a bbq. The bar has bbq grills that you can use and sells potatoes, garlic bread and salad to go with your meat. We had a lovely evening with Andy (Calysta), Lynn (White Hawk) and her guests Fernlee and Tony and Jane and Andy (Drimia).
We put the engine back on the dinghy and it started but cut out. After several attempts it wasn't starting so we radioed Nemesis to pick us up on the way to the start. Also on Nemesis were Ishka and Andy (Drimia).
The race was through the start, round a mark marking the edge of the reef, a beat to a mark 2 miles out and then back to the finish line. After a reasonable start we made good progress up the beat. Rounding the windward mark behind a 2 catamarans and 2 monohulls we were pleased with the beat. Back to the finish line despite some spinnaker pole issues we managed to pass one of the monohulls but another one was gaining. As we headed round the reef some indecision as to were the finish line was meant we lost one or maybe even two places but it was a good race and we are looking forward to the big race on wed.
After the race we anchored off the sandbar for an afternoon of fun activities. There was a beer drinking competiton, hairy chest competition and wet t shirt competition – none of which we entered but that provide good entertainment! And I did manage to get a free t shirt from the wet t shirt competition!! The final activity was a tug of war – New Zealand against the Rest of the World which the Rest of the World won!!
Back at Newt Jonny spent the afternoon trying to fix the outboard – replacing the fuel, checking the spark plugs but it is still not working properly. We are going to borrow T Rexs spare outboard for the rest of the week while we carry on trying to fix ours. Tomorrow we are going to buy some new fuel to make sure that there is no water/ dirt in our fuel.
We headed ashore in the evening for a bbq. The bar has bbq grills that you can use and sells potatoes, garlic bread and salad to go with your meat. We had a lovely evening with Andy (Calysta), Lynn (White Hawk) and her guests Fernlee and Tony and Jane and Andy (Drimia).
6th Sept, Malolo Lailai, Fiji
Today was the day we had been waiting for – hobie cat racing. It was a beach start around a triangle course and through a finish line. We were against Paul (White Hawk) and his guest. After the coin toss we ended up with the leeward boat on the beach but lined up ready to go. We made good progress up the beat but a bad tack near the first mark had us stuck in irons whilst the White Hawk hobie got away. As we rounded the first mark they were half a leg ahead of us!! Some good boat handling (and lots of pumping) had us gaining fast. We rounded the 2nd mark just behind them and headed over the top of them … unfortunately the leg wasn't quite long enough and we got beaten by a whisker – ending our hobie cat dreams!!
We headed back to the boat to do some jobs before heading back ashore for the swap meet, sausage bbq and golf!! Initially we weren't interested in the golf but having been assured it was open to everyone and have played before wasn't an advantage we decided to team up with T Rex (Del and Gary). Unfortunately towards the end of the swap met the heavens opened and it started raining and as it looked like it was in for the afternoon the golf was cancelled.
We made a dash back to the boat and spent the afternoon watching dvds. As the rain started to ease Jonny decided to head ashore to get some bread for breakfast however only made it halfway before the engine stopped working. He was rescued by a friendly cruiser and brought back to Newt. He then spent the early evening stripping the engine down (again!!) and after cleaning everything out it seemed to be working again. After a dinner and a final dvd we headed to bed.
We headed back to the boat to do some jobs before heading back ashore for the swap meet, sausage bbq and golf!! Initially we weren't interested in the golf but having been assured it was open to everyone and have played before wasn't an advantage we decided to team up with T Rex (Del and Gary). Unfortunately towards the end of the swap met the heavens opened and it started raining and as it looked like it was in for the afternoon the golf was cancelled.
We made a dash back to the boat and spent the afternoon watching dvds. As the rain started to ease Jonny decided to head ashore to get some bread for breakfast however only made it halfway before the engine stopped working. He was rescued by a friendly cruiser and brought back to Newt. He then spent the early evening stripping the engine down (again!!) and after cleaning everything out it seemed to be working again. After a dinner and a final dvd we headed to bed.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
5th Sept - Congratulations Elaine and Dave
Congratulations to our good friends Elaine and Dave who got married today. We are very sorry we couldnt be there to help you celebrate but are sure you had a brilliant day. Have a fab time on your honeymoon in Greece. Lots of love xx
5th Sept, Malolo Lailai, Fiji
An early start this morning as Jonny was very excited about the pirates day dressing up - we were dressed and ready by 7.30am!! We had to be on Ishka by 9am so i managed to stall Jonny until 8.30am!!
Everyone looked great in their pirate costumes. On Ishka were Ida and Ian (Ishka), Idas sister Debbie, Ben (Silk Sheets) and his friend Ben, Finn and Reidunor (Hilde), Frank (Menja), Jeff and Kirsty (Nemesis) and Kirstys friend Louise and us.
The start of the race to Beachcomer Island was at 10am - most of the fleet was over the start line and it was abit crazy for a while as we tried to navigate the reefs and avoid the other boats who were trying to get close to throw water bombs!!
We made it safely to Beachcomber where we were attached by Beachcomer Pirates as we landed on the shore.
After our rum innoculation there was a tug of war and a limbo competition which were good fun followed by a buffet lunch.
At 3pm we headed back to Ishka for the journey back to Malolo Lailai. Unfortunately on the way back another boat came to close to try and throw water bombs and ended up scratching the side of Ishka.
Safely back in the marina we had a few more drinks with Ishka before heading back to Newt for dinner and bed.
Everyone looked great in their pirate costumes. On Ishka were Ida and Ian (Ishka), Idas sister Debbie, Ben (Silk Sheets) and his friend Ben, Finn and Reidunor (Hilde), Frank (Menja), Jeff and Kirsty (Nemesis) and Kirstys friend Louise and us.
The start of the race to Beachcomer Island was at 10am - most of the fleet was over the start line and it was abit crazy for a while as we tried to navigate the reefs and avoid the other boats who were trying to get close to throw water bombs!!
We made it safely to Beachcomber where we were attached by Beachcomer Pirates as we landed on the shore.
After our rum innoculation there was a tug of war and a limbo competition which were good fun followed by a buffet lunch.
At 3pm we headed back to Ishka for the journey back to Malolo Lailai. Unfortunately on the way back another boat came to close to try and throw water bombs and ended up scratching the side of Ishka.
Safely back in the marina we had a few more drinks with Ishka before heading back to Newt for dinner and bed.
Friday, 4 September 2009
4th Sept, Malolo Lailai, Fiji
Jonny spent the morning servicing the outboard engine and stripping down the carburetor. We then went ashore to see all of our friends who were arriving.
Kate spent the majority of the day socialising with the girls off Ishka and Nemesis and making pirate outfits for tomorrow's festivities. Jonny meanwhile went off with the boys from Nemesis and Silk Sheets to steel wood from the airport workshop and then spent the whole afternoon with powertools and spray paint making wooden swords and daggers for the pirate day (complete with coconut shell handles, sprayed silver and with red blood stains ... boys and toys!).
We then went to the opening ceremony for the regatta in which there are now over 80 boats. The whole event is free due to local sponsorship, including the opening night free bar and bbq! Each nation was asked to stand and sing their national anthem during the ceremony - there was a large contingent of Kiwi's, Ozzie's and Americans, but we were joined by 3 other Brits to give a strong rendition of 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' (in response to the NZ Haka which was performed) and then a slightly unsure version of 'God Save the Queen' (really who knows ALL the words!!??)
Kate spent the majority of the day socialising with the girls off Ishka and Nemesis and making pirate outfits for tomorrow's festivities. Jonny meanwhile went off with the boys from Nemesis and Silk Sheets to steel wood from the airport workshop and then spent the whole afternoon with powertools and spray paint making wooden swords and daggers for the pirate day (complete with coconut shell handles, sprayed silver and with red blood stains ... boys and toys!).
We then went to the opening ceremony for the regatta in which there are now over 80 boats. The whole event is free due to local sponsorship, including the opening night free bar and bbq! Each nation was asked to stand and sing their national anthem during the ceremony - there was a large contingent of Kiwi's, Ozzie's and Americans, but we were joined by 3 other Brits to give a strong rendition of 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' (in response to the NZ Haka which was performed) and then a slightly unsure version of 'God Save the Queen' (really who knows ALL the words!!??)
3rd Sept, Malolo Lailai, Fiji
We went ashore to check out the restaurants in the different resorts ashore to decide where we wanted to go for our wedding anniversary meal. We found a nice restaurant and headed back to Newt via Silk Sheets for a cup of tea.
After lunch we headed back ashore to lend our battery chargers to Ishka and buy a tub of ice cream. The weather was drizzly today so we decided to have a afternoon watching a dvd and eating ice cream!
We headed ashore to our restaurant and had a lovely meal and evening.
After lunch we headed back ashore to lend our battery chargers to Ishka and buy a tub of ice cream. The weather was drizzly today so we decided to have a afternoon watching a dvd and eating ice cream!
We headed ashore to our restaurant and had a lovely meal and evening.
2nd Sept, Malolo Lailai, Fiji
After saying goodbye to Christine Anne and Sunchaser who we wont see again til Australia and other friends in the marina we gave the decks a final fresh water hose and filled the water tanks and left the marina.
We motored out to Malolo Lailai Island where the Musket Cove regatta is being held. We arrived just after lunch and found a good anchoring spot. The island looks amazing - the bay is surrounded by white sandy beaches. After lunch we headed ashore to explore and saw Ishka in the marina. After saying hello to them we register for the regatta and went for a walk through the resort.
Back on Newt we had a relaxing afternoon and a early dinner before enjoying a quiet night on board.
We motored out to Malolo Lailai Island where the Musket Cove regatta is being held. We arrived just after lunch and found a good anchoring spot. The island looks amazing - the bay is surrounded by white sandy beaches. After lunch we headed ashore to explore and saw Ishka in the marina. After saying hello to them we register for the regatta and went for a walk through the resort.
Back on Newt we had a relaxing afternoon and a early dinner before enjoying a quiet night on board.
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
1st September, Vuda Point Marina, Fiji
A busy day of socialising today. The marina is filling up with people we have met on our travels as there is a big regatta at one of the nearby islands next week that alot of people are attending - they are expecting over 70 boats.
Christine Anne returned to Fiji with a new spinnaker and sock so there old sock was donated to us as we have sailed from the UK without one. Using the spinnaker without one has been manageable but we had had to be very conservative about the wind strength we use it in otherwise it gets to hard to take down - with the sock this should be much easier.
We went out for dinner with Christine Anne, Sunchaser, Calysta and Honeymoon to celebrate Russ's birthday and had a lovely evening.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
