13:43.45S 168:17.36W

Farr Gone Blog
Stuart Cannon
Sat 25 Jun 2011 20:30
200 to go to Apia and I don't have any idea what day it is. The reason is that I think the dateline is somewhere around here but none of the resources I have on board mention the position of the dateline. From memory Tonga is a day ahead and the boats position is past that so I think its Saturday but it might be Sunday. I may arrive in Apia on Monday but it may be Tuesday. Is there anyone out there who can help this silly old codger out? Not that it makes a great deal of difference and it just adds to the intrigue of landing in a strange port. Never mind, I have my Q flag ready, and my documents are in order. The Q flag is a yellow flag that must be flown by vessels that haven't cleared customs and immigration.
When I left Suwarro I mentioned I had trouble with the anchor and that Terry from Teka Nova gave me a hand to get the anchor up. After I put the anchor in the locker I always put the outboard fuel tank in there as it is a safe place to store it. Unfortunately I've discovered that the fuel hose from the tank has managed to entwine itself with the roller furling for the headsail and been sliced up. Today's project is to see if I can unentwine (creative vocabulary 101) it and repair the hose or whether a replacement is required. After rowing the dinghy in various places including Suwarro, the outboard is much more than a luxury. The inflatable is very difficult to row to windward, it feels like you only get a few inches per stroke as the wind pushes you backwards so effectively. Downwind of course is a pleasure but the outboard is a must in strong wind.
The wind is down to 10 and the waves seem to be settling down even though the occasional large swell comes through just to make sure you pay attention. Got to keep one hand holding something at all times. Still the softening wind is a good thing as it should mean good timing for arriving at the port of Apia. I hope to arrive in the morning so that all formalities can be finalised that day, whichever day that is.
I have deliberately run down all the provisions on the boat. Tahiti was very expensive for shopping so I only got enough to get to Samoa, just. I have one bottle of wine, two cans of beer, plenty of bottled water and some canned food as well as packets of noodles. I'm hoping there is a decent restaurant in Apia as I'm craving a steak fix. That and some fresh vegetables or a ceaser salad mmmmmmmm. Ah the fantasies that sailors indulge in.