heading North Again
Storyteller
Wed 20 May 2009 20:12
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Position 21.07S 175.09W
After a week of parties and some sightseeing we are
now preparing to head north again to the central group of islands that are known
as the Ha'apia Group. We've enjoyed our stay at Pangiamotu Island and the nearby
town of Nuku'alofa although Monday evening provided us with more excitement that
we really needed. At about 7pm in the evening a nasty storm struck the anchored
fleet.The wind swung 180 degrees and gusted to 55kts. Lightening
illuminated the scene and showed us that a number of boats were
dragging their anchors. While all this was going on a decrepit and seemingly out
of control local inter island ferry approached the anchored fleet and for a
while looked as though it might clean out some of the yachts. A visiting French
navy patrol boat was pinned against the dock and was calling for assistance.It
eventually drove itself off stone quay and anchored nearby. By midnight
the wind subsided and we were able to get some sleep. It was a good test for the
two new anchors that we had installed in Auckland.
Ben left us yesterday and flew up to Vava'a
yesterday where he will meet up with Tasi's family and some of his old mates for
two days before flying back to Auckland. Sue and I were sorry to see him go. He
was great company and his help with the boat was hugely valuable to me. I now
feel more confident that we will be able to manage and maintain the systems on
the boat. I am sure he enjoyed the time he spent with us although I sense that
he was disappointed with my lack of enthusiasm for
fishing.
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