Bula!
Well I am officially back to being a full time cruising bum, feels real good. I am writing from Vuda Point Marina where I was welcomed back with many familiar smiling Fijian faces, hand shakes and hugs.
There are a few cruisers here I have meet previously and it only takes one evening at the sunset bar and a few Fiji Bitters to meet new people. It seems I am having a bit of a hard time getting used to being back in "the lifestyle" and feeling like I need to be constantly getting stuff done, I'll manage though, please don't worry yourselves.
It had been two years since my last passage but I guess sailing is kind of like riding a bicycle, except that if I fall off I'm proper screwed, and I had no problem getting back into the groove. I had a good bit of wind for the first few days and there was a fairly big swell running so it was a good ride. As usual the first few days are a bit boring as I do everything I can to avoid getting seasick which involves pretty much doing as little as possible except staring at the horizon and lying down with my eyes closed. I make a bunch of sandwiches and have other foods and drinks ready so I don't have to cook, works for me and after three days I'm sweet to read and do as many sudoko's as I want, life gets super exciting.
The 1200 nautical mile passage took me 12 days for an average of 100nm's in 24 hours. It's not fast but for a 27' boat with enough food and water to last a couple months and everything I own stashed on her I'm always happy with that average. I don't push the boat and prefer to take a little longer and have less wear and tear on the sails and rigging, also I tend to be a bit of a lazy sailor and will settle for going a little slower rather than changing a head sail. Not much to say about the sailing as it's all water, sky and wind and that is pretty much it. The stars at night when there is no moon are amazing, the vastness is incredible, it's a good reminder of how insignificant I am and at the same time gives me time to think about how significant the people in my life are to me and hope they feel the same way or at least have a chance in thier busy lifes to take some time and think aboout such things.
Just last night I was having beers at the Sunset Bar with Tom, ze German, Thomas, american, or was it the other way around, not important and Rona, from England. When asked what sort of boat I had I told them a Vancouver 27 and Rona said she was on a Vancouver 34 but used to have a Vancouver 27 and suddenly it clicked, are you Rona House? I felt as though I had met a celebrity and not very seriously asked for her autograph. If you have read the boat page you may remember it mentions Rona House completed a solo circumnavigation on her Vancouver 27. Rona took out her camera and took some pictures of me and proceeded to tell me I have a talent for looking wierd in pictures.
Going to hang out around the marina for a few days and try and get some stuff done, a trip to the dentist is never fun but when the bill is a fraction of what it would cost in North America or New Zealand you can spend the difference on alcohol and feel pretty good about things. That's it for now, thanks to everyone who sent me well wishes and hellos and news from back home, it is a very enjoyable thing to have waiting for me after a passage.
Heaps of Love,
Jonathan
Landfall at dawn.
I feel terrible when these dudes perish on my deck.
First video post! Bear with me, going to have to get better at this.
Hello old friend!
I have the proud distinction of having the smallest boat in the marina, also probably the smallest bank account, but bet I got the biggest... uh, heart.
Rona House's Vancouver 34
Such a great boat name.
Rona, an amazing women.