Wednesday 30^th September – We all know the saying ‘you can’t please all of the people all of the time’ but I have a variation on the theme……….you can’t please some of the people ever! 

Apparently it has been ‘quoted’ in Yachting Monthly that one of the drawbacks to the Rally is the expensive Rally events. I can’t believe it!  Sometimes the get togethers are ‘gratis’ laid on by kind hosts in the various marinas we have stayed.  Sometimes they are ‘fun’ days like the cricket match in Daniel’s Bay where we brought our own barbeques and picnics and yes, very occasionally, there have been greedy locals over charging and under delivering (on the food front) as with the pig roast in Nuka Hiva.

Richard Bolt (BWR) arrived here on the 24^th to assist us with our CAITS into Indonesia and quite frankly in 100 degrees of heat he has not stopped running – even down to collecting our passports, with shiny new Visas, for us from the Indonesian Embassy.  Last night he organised a dinner dance at Fannie Bay Yacht Club after our briefing, with temporary membership thrown in.  Again there were mumblings of how expensive it was………..

Let’s just get this into perspective.  Firstly it was not compulsory to go but for 50 Aus $ we enjoyed sole use of a huge carpeted stage decorated in a marquee style extending over the beach in a truly exotic location.  The copious canapés handed out by yacht club staff included smoked salmon, cured meats, sun dried tomatoes, dips and crudités whilst the main buffet dinner had on offer sirloin steak, pork loin, pine nut and chicken sausages, salads and many accompaniments together with a choice of deserts.  There was a charming lady DJ who entertained us after dinner and immediately connected with our era of music and it was one of those really really special evenings which, within reason, cannot be measured purely in monitory terms.  It is a Rally after all and it was a wonderful excuse to get together and have a good time……and laugh…….and dance……and get to know the new boats and new crew members joining us……for a mere twenty five quid per person………

When Keith and Susan from Baccus returned to UK for his operation they donated their liquor store to the private Sri Lankan charity we all support – so Kaimin sold raffle tickets and auctioned the best bottles for that cause which was a success.

Today we are food shopping at 0900, going to the Customs to clear out at 1.00, taking delivery of our new awning at 2.00, meeting Nefa back on the boat to test the engine at 4.00, taking the hire car back to the airport at 6.00 and effecting a good clean up above and below decks whilst generally getting ready to leave on tomorrow’s tide at 09.15 hrs.  Exciting for Clara who has never sailed before……..