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Paw Paw - Log Day 224: A Change of Plan and Another First on Paw Paw



When we decided on our plan for our passage from Samoa to Tonga we took the decision to skip the northern island of Nuiatoputapu, Tonga and head straight for the Vava'u Group, in order to take advantage of the forecasted benign weather, as well as not wanting to risk another weather system coming through if we delayed our passage by stopping. 

We were also looking forward to a relatively peaceful passage based on the forecast of light and variable winds in flat seas, since we'd spent nearly a month in Samoa, enjoying a well deserved rest in glorious sunshine and in a protected anchorage.

Well, not only was Murphy having a giggle, he had other plans for us. By late afternoon when the weather started to deteriorate unexpectedly we were already past Nuiatoputapu and could not make it in daylight, so, we decided to soldier on. By 0100 this morning with 125NM to go, in lashing rain, with 25 Kts of wind, 3M swells and a very strong curren t, all on the nose, with the starboard engine at full taps and the port engine on as high as we dared, we were doing a pitiful 1.8 to 3 Kts - Basically going nowhere, so we turned around.

After sailing the rest of the night we arrived in Nuiatoputapu this morning and are now safely anchored, although frustrated that even today's forecast is not reflective of the weather we are encountering. The report is forecasting light and variable winds with flat seas, yet it's still blowing 20 to 25 Kts, the seas were 3 to 4M by the time we arrived and it's freezing - Nothing like being bundled up under our duvets in the tropics when the forecast shows it's supposed to be in the mid-twenties - There are simply no words for this level of incompetence by the various meteorological centres around the world, both private and goverment, including those we are actually paying to provide this service to us!

That said though, we had barely settled in when we were hailed on the VHF radio by a lovely lady who welcomed us to the island and explained that, since it was a Sunday, we would have to remain on board until we can clear in tomorrow morning. She apologised perfusely for the inconvenience and for the fact that she was, therefore, unable to invite us to church and to a Sunday feast in the village, but invited us to dinner tomorrow night at her home instead.

While we had a change of plan and another first on Paw Paw by not actually reaching our intended destination, one cannot question the twists and turns of life when we have stumbled upon such friendliness and kindness.


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