SV FLUENTA

Monday, 7 May 2018

To Fiji (Without the boat !)

With the Fluenta safely tied up in New Zealand, we did something quite unusual for us. We went to Fiji ... by airplane ... So much quicker, no need to stand watches or do any maintenance etc ...

My parents have a beautiful place on Taveuni, Fiji and they were hosting their 50th Anniversary party there so off we went. To add to the treat, my sister Sarah and her kids came my parents' place too so the cousins got a rare chance to play together.

On approach into Matei on Taveuni

Boarding.

The view across to the Somosomo Strait

The back deck

Liz and I and my sister, Sarah, stayed in the "tin house" where my parents lived their first few years in Fiji.

The kids stayed on tents on the deck.

The road to the house.

Family photo time.

Wedding anniversary bubbly !

Picking pineapples with Grandpa

Hiking to the waterfall on the property

Cousin time

Harvesting some of Grandpa's breadfruit

and limes. This tree is amazing. We got some limes from this tree on our way to the Marshall Islands in 2016 and they lasted for months.

and tasty bananas

Slave labour.

The girls busy making fancy drinks with fruits from the plantation

Rescheduled Christmas present opening.

Another amazing meal.

Cousin time !

BBQ'ing in the rain

Happy Birthday Granny !

Flower photo by Johnathan

Cooling off in Granny's pool

and down to the local beach.

another beautiful sunset from the house.

Tuesday, 6 March 2018

Sailing Camp

We had heard good things about the sailing program put on by Robbs Hielkema at the Bay of Islands Yacht Club so we registered the two big kids and anchored off the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

The kids had a great time and learned lots. Turns out we anchored in the middle of the training area so easy to take photos of the kids sailing.

Four boys in a boat - what could go wrong ...

Nothing actually went wrong and they had a great time.

Victoria and Ella from Varekei.

The girls needed a bit of extra weight - Devon from SV Anthea helps out on a windier day.

I helped out at the yacht club with the launches and recoveries. Benjamin helping with the boat trolley.

Monday, 5 March 2018

Christmas in the Bay of Islands

We cleared into New Zealand in Opua at the end of November. We caught up on some maintenance (and sleep) and then went out into the Bay of Islands for Christmas.

The Tall Ship R Tucker Thompson came into the anchorage so the big kids swam over to say hello

Swimming back from the R Tucker Thompson with scones and jam !

Benjamin watches to ensure they stay safe.

Swinging on their rope swing. The kids swam back with scones they were given. The kids then went back to give the crew some of the fudge that Victoria had made.

Anchored off Waewaetorea Island where we spent Christmas with the other kid boats two years ago.

Lots of nice hikes in the Bay of Islands. Johnathan is sitting on a WWII observation post.

Pretty views.

Where we anchored for Christmas this time. Waiwhapuka Bay

Hiking on Waewaetorea Island

One of the beaches on Waewaetorea Island. Liz was doing yoga here in peace and quiet when a tour boat load of tourists landed on the beach complete with barbecue and stereo.

Spearfishing with the kids for lunch and dinner

and mulberry jam from the mullberries the kids picked from behind the Russel Boating Club.

A bronze whaler shark coming to check us out. They are bigger than most reef sharks but seem quite timid.

A contrast in anchoring neighbours: nice considerate neighbours anchoring at a safe distance.

A contrast in anchoring neighbours: anchoring too close - hard to see but there is a posh Hanse sailboat right behind our transom). We took this photo after they had let out some more chain and we brought in some more chain after we had asked them three times. Winds were forecast to be 25 kts so not the time for short rodes.