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23/06/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 159 June 23, 2019

Many projects were done in the morning. Laundry washed and strung in the surprisingly brisk katabaticwind coming off the land.(Surprising because we had been led to believe that this was a calm anchorage.) Lars went up the mast (aka, commenced “pole dancing”) and was able to pop the swinging deck light back into it’s bracket. Voila’ it works fine! Then he did an inspection of the rig and found that our Genoa halyard was almost worn through. We are so happy he found and fixed the halyard problem! In the afternoon we went with the Tumi crew, Dixie and Dave from Chao Lay, Peter and Nicky from Chanto with Mirren from Nica as our guide to snorkel in the Batcave about a mile from the anchorage. Lars got some amazing footage on his new go pro, and we were back in time to get ready for the. read more...


Charm - Fiji Day 1 - the real one
Charm - Fiji Day 1 - the real one
Sweet Dream - Day 159 June 23, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 159 June 23, 2019
Charm - Fiji Day 1 - the real one
Charm - Fiji Day 1 - the real one
Charm - Fiji Day 1 - the real one
Charm - Fiji Day 1 - the real one
Sweet Dream - Day 158 June 22, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 158 June 22, 2019
22/06/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 158 June 22, 2019

In the morning Lars and J.F. From Cassiopeia went ashore and met with Charlie to get the SIM cards installed in the phones and up and running. The anchorage was becoming almost untenable in the rising wind and chop. We were very happy to raise anchor and began the four hour journey through coral head and shoaling reef strewn waters up around to the “Bay of Islands”. We managed the trip without coming in contact with anything, found a spot to anchor, took a couple tries to set the hook, finally grabbed, then with Glen and Torsten’s help, tied a line from stern to shore to keep us from swinging.In the late afternoon we kayaked into a cove behind the anchorage. We could hear the noise of a big flock of birds, then suddenly it became clear that they were not birds but rather, huge bats! Very. read more...


22/06/2019

Charm - Fiji 2

Today was boat repair, school, and a hike to the radio tower.Joe helped Aurora B replace some broken coolant hoses and refill the coolant so they are back in action.Poor Manihi is taking on water but no diagnosis as to why. All the ARC boats finished clearing Customs and Immigration today and all but five left to go to the Bay of Islands.Those of us that stayed behind decided it was too late in the day to risk maneuvering among the reefs and coral heads.Besides, there was a hike to the radio tower! After the hike, we went to see where Andrew and Swade (ARC staff) were staying.They travel along with us and are the ones that do all the legwork with the local officials to arrange our clearance or parties or whatever.Normally they stay in hotels near the main anchorage but, in this case,. read more...


Charm - Fiji 2
Charm - Fiji 2
Charm - Fiji 2
Charm - Fiji 2
Charm - Fiji 2
Charm - Fiji 2
21/06/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 157 June 21, 2019

Land Ho! At sunrise the northern Lau group island hove into view. We had a pleasant sail to Tongan passage on Vanuabalavu. The pass was easy, the anchor gripped on the first try, and because we were on a lee shore with a solid wall of rock behind us, we put out a scope of ten to one and settled into the anchorage amidst a dozen WARC boats at 10:30 a.m.We were very fortunate to have the wonderful Yellow shirts, Andrew and Swade, to coordinate our check in process in a very timely and efficient manner. The officials of Fiji were an easy bunch of folks to work with, we passed the ukulele around during our paperwork process, and much laughter was had by all. By 17:00, we were legal and clear! We kayaked around the bay a little, exchanging greetings with our fellow WARCers, then came back to. read more...


Sweet Dream - Day 157 June 21, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 157 June 21, 2019
20/06/2019

Girolle - Days 18, 19 - Peniche, where’s the wind gone?

We are back at sea for two consecutive days. Yesterday, we set sail from Figueira da Foz to Peniche, a small fishing port some 70NM further South. It rained during the early hours of Wednesday, the day started off cool and with grey skies so we set off wearing full sailing wet weather kit. The weather has been cooler than expected, so much for shorts and t-shirt... I was wearing a down jacket most of the day on Tuesday, not really what I imagined I’d be wearing in Portugal in mid June! Our friend Susie is down in the Algarve this week and assures us better weather is there, we just hope it’s still there when we arrive.An hour or so after setting off, we were joined by Tohuwabohu . Like us, they had decided to start early and set off just after 6 a.m. Some way down the coast there was a. read more...


Girolle - Days 18, 19 - Peniche, where’s the wind gone?
Girolle - Days 18, 19 - Peniche, where’s the wind gone?
Girolle - Days 18, 19 - Peniche, where’s the wind gone?
Girolle - Days 18, 19 - Peniche, where’s the wind gone?
20/06/2019

Charm - Fiji 1 (actually 2)

II misnamed yesterday’s as a Tonga Day so this is the second day of the crossing.Today and tonight we are doing something we normally don’t do.Normally, we try to go as fast as we can, either because we’re in a race or because we just want to get to the next place. But the crossing to Fiji isn’t a race and there are many reefs around Fiji and, more specifically, around the place we are going to clear in.It’s called Vanuva Balavu and the World ARC has arranged for us to clear into the country there rather than going where most cruising boats go. Any time we enter a new country, all of us and the boat have to go through Customs and Immigration, just like anyone arriving at the airport would do.The ARC helps tremendously with this by getting Customs and Immigration staff to come to us. read more...


Charm - Fiji 1 (actually 2)
Charm - Fiji 1 (actually 2)
Charm - Fiji 1 (actually 2)
Charm - Fiji 1 (actually 2)
Charm - Fiji 1 (actually 2)
Charm - Fiji 1 (actually 2)
19/06/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 156 June 19, 2019 and June 20, 2019

Today we sailed right into tomorrow! Weird things happen when you approach Fiji. It’s like a Bermuda Triangle/Twighlight Zone smash up. 22 hours just disappear into thin air! It has been above excellent sailing all day. At 07:00 this morning the wind finally clocked to the south east and filled in beautifully. We have been galloping along on a screaming beam reach all day. What a glorious mid summer’s day it is! Hard to believe that one year ago we were in Sweden freezing our toenails off in 45 degree weather with 30 knot winds! Now here we are in swim suits in 85 degree weather! We have travelled a long way in one year! Literally over halfway round the world! From the Baltic, through the North Sea, across the Atlantic, through the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific. read more...


19/06/2019

Zafiro - Log 6 - Dolphin day today

That’s it then goodbye to Figueira after an extra day due to bad weather.  The Figueira visits were first class especially the one to the university town of Coliseu. Steve from Fair Isle was a very strong contender for one of Mr Bishops prizes for being the only boat to have hoisted all of his flags before the early start to Coliseum.. Howeverthis was quickly undone when he along with the rest of his crew were spotted by him drinking coffee in a quiet back street cafe having slipped away early from the guided tour..! The arrival at Peniche was interesting and a lot of us are rafted up together and we have our own Moody yacht enclave with Casik 3 and Amarone  It was a very early start and some yachts had departed by 06:00. I cannot be completely sure as the light was not very. read more...


19/06/2019

Tintin - Towards Fiji

The fleet has set sail from Tonga to Fiji.About 1/2 of the boats lefton Tuesday, but we left on yesterday morning with the rest.Jo has now flown home, so there are only 4 of us onboard.It will bestrange for me to carry on sailing without her after such an amazing 9month voyage together, but I won't be far behind.Some time ago - before Bora Bora, in fact, the high pressure hose on ourwatermaker burst. My brother Steve quickly sourced a new one and sentit ahead of us.You wouldn't believe the hassle involved in actuallygetting package delivered.After arriving in Tonga from Fiji on 6thJune, it took a further 2 weeks, innumerable phone calls and emails, 2trips to the airport and some more money before I finally got my handson it on Tuesday.Perhaps I appreciate it more because of the. read more...


19/06/2019

Charm - Tonga 14

It’s a lovely calm night on the South Pacific as we close in on the “halfway around the world” point.We have probably already crossed it for ourselves since we traveled to the Eastern Mediterranean in Charm.But to make it clean, we will soon be crossing 180 degrees of longitude, which is definitely 180 degrees away from Valencia, Spain, where we started a couple of years ago.We had a nice day today after recovering from the trauma of last night.Marin woke bright and cheery with both ears looking very good.We did look at some bits of Marin under the microscope but didn’t see anything too interesting.The kids have been so disciplined with their school that I am giving them a day off tomorrow when they get to do whatever they want.Usually that means Cobin will be on some device all day and. read more...


Charm - Tonga 14
Charm - Tonga 14
Charm - Tonga 14
Charm - Tonga 14
Charm - Tonga 14
Charm - Tonga 14
Sweet Dream - Day 156 June 19, 2019 and June 20, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 156 June 19, 2019 and June 20, 2019
18/06/2019

Girolle - Days 15, 16, 17 - Figueira da Foz

Dear reader, apologies for the lack of blogs for several days, attempting to resume normal service before I end up being sent up the mast as punishment.Believe it or not the Girolle crew were in bed by 10pm Saturday. We had left Povoa just after 6am and were pretty tired after the 12 hour sail. Sunday was spent relaxing. We missed an interesting tour of Coimbra, it’s university and impressive baroque library. We might have been tempted if it were not for the early start (pre 8am) and another long day. Instead, I went to the local market, bought fresh fruit and vegetables.On Rita & Miguel’s (Casik III) recommendation, I also bought some fresh spatchcock chicken. The ‘cooked chicken shop’ is so small I initially walked straight past. The only indication of its presence is the amazing. read more...


Girolle - Days 15, 16, 17 - Figueira da Foz
Girolle - Days 15, 16, 17 - Figueira da Foz
18/06/2019

Charm - Tonga 13 or 15?

As many of you have figured out by now, I have had a little trouble with my numbering!I finally was able to look bag at the blogs and realized I had doubled up on some numbers.No matter - we are about to start a new subject - Fiji crossing!We had intended to leave this afternoon after getting fuel at the dock (quite a process - two fuel trucks were ordered for the ARC boats and the ARC staff had to organize how much each boat got, when they came to the dock, etc.) but decided to leave early tomorrow morning instead.Both Joe and I have been feeling low on energy and I have a bit of an upset stomach so we decided one more night’s sleep would be a good idea.I spent the day running errands - picking up things I had printed - Cobin’s social studies tests and receipts to prove I replaced all. read more...


Charm - Tonga 13 or 15?
Charm - Tonga 13 or 15?
Charm - Tonga 13 or 15?
Charm - Tonga 13 or 15?
Charm - Tonga 13 or 15?
Charm - Tonga 13 or 15?
17/06/2019

Charm - Tonga 12

Greetings from Tonga.It feels like we have been here a long time and not seen much outside of Neiafu, the main city on Vava’u.Tully even said, “Are we at this place AGAIN?”The ARC schedule and other constraints have kept us on the mooring ball more than some of us would like but we are making the best of it.It seems like a good time for an overview of Tonga, or at least the very little we have seen of it.It is the Kingdom of Tonga and apparently the king is well-liked and the people are happy with having a monarchy.There is a parliament but they need the king’s approval to make laws so he has the final say.Most of the people around the main part of town speak good English although we have tried to learn a few words of Tongan (malo apito means thank you very much).Joe and I have gone. read more...


Charm - Tonga 12
Charm - Tonga 12
Charm - Tonga 12
Charm - Tonga 12
Charm - Tonga 12
Charm - Tonga 12
15/06/2019

Girolle - Day 13 & 14 Porto & beyond

Before I start, I must mention Mike Higginson... Mike, if you are still reading my ramblings, ARC Sarah who does the technical wizardry stuff posting these blogs, showed me your FB comment yesterday. Glad you are enjoying the ramblings, honoured to be known as ‘Soupy Sue’ (I have been called far worse)!Back to the matter in hand. Yesterday, we travelled to Porto where we went on a tuk tuk tour of the beautiful city. It was my third visit to the city and I never tire of its beauty or friendly atmosphere. We were fortunate to have been allocated a young man called Manuel, seemingly the friendliest tuk tuk driver on the planet. So uplifting to come across someone with such zest for life, so smiley and cheerful. His enthusiasm was infectious and being Porto born and bred he seemed to know. read more...


18/06/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 155 June 18, 2019

This morning started with the usual squall and down pour of rain. One wonderful thing about these thrice daily rain storms is that our boat and our sails are so clean!! No salt build-up! After coffee, Captain put out his fishing lines. We have been dragging two lines every day from after to coffee to just at sundown. Two nights ago, Lars went to pull in the lines and there was a long skinny barracuda on the handline. Not appetising! We dropped him back in for a bit til he’d let himself off the hook. That made the score fish seven, us zip. Today was different. Just as I put some sandwiches in the big fry pan to toast for lunch, zing zing zing went the rod and reel! When that sound ensues, we rush around in a fire drill mode. After all the drills this trip, we are pretty coordinated and. read more...


Sweet Dream - Day 155 June 18, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 155 June 18, 2019
Girolle - Day 13 & 14 Porto & beyond
Girolle - Day 13 & 14 Porto & beyond
15/06/2019

Oyster Blew - Goodbye

Goodbye to you all. I am sorry to be missing the prize giving but would like to say what a wonderful bunch of fellow travellers I have met on the ARC Europe 2019. Special thanks go to the yellow shirts. Love HenrySent from my iPad. read more...


Sweet Dream - Day 154 June 17, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 154 June 17, 2019
17/06/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 154 June 17, 2019

On the “milk run”Waiting for the rising sunMoon slowly sinking in the western cloudsSo beautifulIron grey waterSoft dove skyWhispering windAs we just glideimage1.. read more...


14/06/2019

Casik III - ARC PORTUGAL - Casik III Log - Let the fun begin!

The idea of participating in an Arc Rally has, for a long time, been one of our sailing goals. We have followed other boats adventures, rally experiences, ocean passages, always dreaming that one day, it would be us.Last year we decided to, finally, enter the rally. It was time! We were going to do ARC Portugal 2018!So we got everything ready, but unexpectedly only a few weeks prior to our departure, in late May 2018, Miguel had to be submitted to a hart aneurisma surgery. One of the most vivid memories of this period was being told by the doctor that sailing was completely out of the question for us that year. So we had to postpone our trip one year, starting the counting backwards of the months once again and keeping great faith that in 2019 nothing would stop us!Everything went. read more...


16/06/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 153 June 16, 2019

Welcome to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Today started with the ubiquitous squall, and then another, and another, and another. As they used to say on the top forty countdown radio show, “the hits just keep on rolling”. Mid-morning there was a wee bit of a lull and enough southerly shift in the wind to encourage us to take the Genoa off the pole, shift it over to the starbrd side with the main, put away the Hoyt, and engage in a few hours of lovely reaching interspersed with uncomfortable rolling. As the day progressed, the weather regressed into incessant squall after squall. The front edge would have wind in the mid twenties, clocking up to about 110 degrees,producing exhilarating good sailing, followed by pouring rain, then after a few moments would come the “back-side” ( I can think of a much. read more...


Sweet Dream - Day 153 June 16, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 153 June 16, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 152 June 15, 2019
Sweet Dream - Day 152 June 15, 2019
15/06/2019

Sweet Dream - Day 152 June 15, 2019

Ol’ Grandfather East wind came back at 08:00 this morning, so out went the main, up went the Hoyt, and off went the engine. We were back to sailing! Ah...blessed quiet! It was Captain’s birthday. Alas, the eating fish never did show up for the party, but we made up for their lack with blueberry bread, home made potato salad,( containing the last fresh veggies from Tahiti), and cherry cheese cake. It was all together a lovely day. Lars tried out his new kite from the stern of the boat. It flew beautifully and fortunately the line held. It would have been an interesting mob drill if it had come loose and crashed into the sea! We had so much fun that we decided it was the perfect day to set our watches back the two hours til Fiji time so as to prolong the good times. While I was napping. read more...