Cleone - Leg 10 Day 1 - Reefs and Rain

 

We left the final barbecue early, realising that we had to get up fresh and able to crack on with all the last minute bits and pieces.  So we were up at six: flags down; sail covers off; read the electricity meter; pay the bill (thanks to World ARC and Musket Cove, happily as small one); last minute shopping (no good hanging on to those Fijian dollars - inflation is worse than ours!); check the oil and water; warm up the engine; pay our farewell calls; watch the others play musical anchors; deflate and stow the dinghy; and tidy up all the loose bits and pieces that accumulate in the cabin.  And the Skipper even had time for a last ashore shave and shower (and the other bit too, for those who are interested).

 

Happily Cleone had been allocated one of the only two alongside berths, so we did not have the problem of untangling our anchor chain from those of the other boats.  And nor did we have to leave smartly at 8 am like many of the others, for whom a high-tide departure was the only way of getting out of the Marina without going aground.  But we were ready to roll by 10 o'clock, giving us ample time to drift through the anchorage amongst the other yachts, and make our way to the start line for the 11 o'clock gun.  But an endless black cloud was making its way towards us against what very little wind there was (no, let's be honest, there was none at all), and as the downpour started, the start was post-poned.  Several of the wise virgins had already decided to wait on their moorings until the next day and the promised fair winds, but the rest of us got soaked as we jilled around avoiding the reefs and each-other.  Finally, the Committee decided that the only sensible course was to lead us through the poorly charted and even more poorly marked reefs, and start outside, some six miles away.  So soon the yachts were motoring through the gloom in line astern after a guide boat thoughtfully provided by the Musket Cove Yacht Club, and our individual start times were taken as we exited the reef and finally and regretfully left Fiji behind us.

 

A breeze had sprung up by this time, though the rain continued, but it did not last.  So it was more motor sailing until the middle of last night.- about noon GMT.  We've been sailing contentedly since, with the freshening breeze backing steadily to the South East.  And the weather forecast is promising us a boisterous ride to Vanuatu. 

 

We are without Norfy at the moment - he has gone to help aboard Kasuje, who are short of experienced crew.  We hope to see him back on board soon.  Meanwhile, Elizabeth, Will and the Skipper are on watch in turn by themselves.  It's a great experience for us all, and so far so good.  We'll keep you in touch with progress!

 

James, Elizabeth and Will

Yacht Cleone

At Sea
18^o14'S 175^o09'E