Fiji

Well the last few days from Tonga to Fiji were pretty tough. 25-30kn wind and some patches of quite big seas. The raw water pump on the motor started to leak so the bilge had to be pumped often. A big wave came inside the boat and so on. I had long sessions of hand steering and the temp alarm went off. That turned out to be from the wave that came in wetting the control board rather than from the failing water pump, so I was still able to motor past the various reefs and islands. Arrived outside Suva at dusk and couldn't see the leads for the reef entrance. As it happened, the chart was completely accurate this time, so I could have just used it. At one point I spotted a mast in the haze and thought 'great, another yacht to lead the way', then checked with binoculars and saw it was just a decoy cat! A catamaran had made a navigation error and was well up on the reef. Anyway, there were a few fishing boats that gave a clue and I found the channel markers in time, but it wasn't much fun. I've never been so glad to arrive anywhere! It took a day to get cleared for shore, and another day to visit various customs, health etc offices, then I was flat out trying to organise parts and repairs for the boat. Suva is a wonderful place to do it, everyone is helpful, the Royal Suva Yacht Club care for us like family. I have a new forestay installed, genoa sewn up, I rebuilt water pump, put new brushed in the alternator ($3 from the chinese light shop) had the injectors serviced and the new furling system has already come from Brazil to Sydney and will be here soon. Wind instrument on it's way too.
And the other big news of course, is that Anne and Sabine flew into Nadi and are back on board for a month!
We have motored over to Beqa Island (pronounced Mbenga), anchored in a secluded volcanic crater surrounded by turtles, fish and verdant green.
Photos might have to wait till we get back to Suva, but will try to put a few up!