I am staying here in Vava'u longer than expected; the fun is good. Sadly a local fisherman is drowned from one of the small islands so thirty boats gather for a fund raising event. A great success.

 

Meanwhile work on the boat continues and I take the opportunity to climb the mast to check everything before the passage to New Zealand.

 

When I eventually arrive in New Zealand the boat must be completely clean below the waterline. Rightly, the authorities there protect their island waters and so barnacles long seaweed and the like are strictly forbidden. It takes different brushes and scrapers and scouring pads to clean different types of underwater growth. After almost five years I have at last I have found an entirely new bottom cleaner that cleans everything with very little work from myself.

 

We leave for the Ha'apai island group on Thursday 31st...