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Firefly - Preparations for the passage to Tonga



Firefly was left moored at the Bay of Islands Marina in Opua, New Zealand, while we spent 4 weeks in England. Arriving back completely shattered we are gradually getting back into life onboard. Our visit back to 'Blighty' was well timed, coinciding with some great spring weather and we really enjoyed spending time with family and friends. it was somewhat of a shock to return to an autumnal NZ which is getting cooler, gets dark early and has at times been exceptionally wet.



Today is Tuesday 28th April and our departure is currently planned for 1030 on Saturday 2nd May. We have joined the Pacific Circuit Rally organised by an Opua based yacht rally company known as the Island Cruising Association. Run on a smaller scale than World Cruising, ICA are similar in being both very well organised and experienced. We will sail with the ICA on the first 2 legs of the PCR and then we will join the 2015/16 edition of the World ARC as it passes through Fiji in July.



The passage to Tonga is about 1100 nautical miles and there will, weather permitting, be the opportunity to stop at the Minerva Reef, some 750nm from Opua. As with the passage to NZ from New Caledonia, this one is often quite difficult as the weather en route can be very variable until the steadier trade winds are reached quite a long way north of here. Timing of the departure is therefore key and yesterday the chance we would be leaving on Saturday was given as 50/50 based on the long range forecast.



With on going jetlag, a significant jobs list and this uncertainty about the departure its therefore quite an 'interesting' time. Firefly is in good shape but with NZ being the last place we will visit for several months that has good internet, provisioning, chandlers and marine services (in fact everything here is great) - then making the most of the remaining few days is a real priority.



Amongst other things there are 2 significant boat jobs underway including rebuilding the watermaker complete with new membranes and fitting the new improved wiring loom to the alternator and then testing both. Neither of these are that difficult but added to refitting the sails (which have been to the North loft for a full service), shopping, stowing, pre passage cooking, getting fuel, gas and water, local currency for the Islands, testing everything (from windlass to Nav lights to Lifejacket AIS systems), downloading charts and information, clearing customs etc.....plus attending briefings and social events....there is no spare time at all.



However, we have no complaints as it is great to be living the cruising life and we are very much looking forward to setting sail back towards the Pacific Islands and getting re acclimatized with tropical weather and warm seas.



Paul and Susie

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