Author Archives: Captain & First Mate

3 in 1

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Sunday B was back, we almost sunk the dinghy with her 60+ kg of luggage but Andrew was happy with the wine, chocolate and other biscuits she brought in. That was day 1!
Monday after tidy up luggage and boat, we went to the fresh market to try our luck with fresh fruits and veggies and we did get tomatoes, pomeloes, white radishes (for a trial) and that was it. The day past very quickly and around 5pm we received the message that our new crew Gina and Alex from New Zealand were on their way to the marina. Andrew and B enjoyed the sunset on the Bay before welcoming them. And that was another ride on the dinghy ( Thanks God we have a new outboard and don’t have to rowe anymore). After giving a quick tour of the boat we had a welcome drink and dinner (Andrew special Bolognese). That was day 2!
Tuesday it was time to leave Port Vila marina for some sailing and quieter places…We will finally slowly heading North. We all had coffee and freshly made Banana cake (courtesy of B) in the cockpit and it was not even 8am when everyone jumped on the dinghy to try our luck at the fresh market. That was a good idea as we found parsley, spring onions and sweet corns! (Corn on the cobb). We went then to the supermarket for Gina and Alex to get them favourite booze, extra fruits and biscuits and Andrew and B refilled the pantry with some frozen veggies, gerkins etc.( We probably won’t go for any shopping for at least 2 or 3 weeks). Back on Imagine it was time for the safety briefing organised by Andrew for Gina and Alex. And after a stop over to the fuel station (B at the helm brought Imagine at the fuel wharf) …about 300 liters of fuel added and we were good to leave! Finally some nice Sailing! After a bumpy ride around the corner, due to wind and swell heading in different directions, we enjoyed a fast sailing to an anchorage North of Moso Island. Right on time for a nice reddelight sunset, of course with a drink on the deck. That was today.

Not so early start

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I was up early, but had to wait for a cargo ship to enter the harbour and get tied up at the wharf before I could set off. I had breakfast while I was waiting. Then I discovered the anchor winch relay was playing up again. I had to control the winch from in the anchor well. Luckily it was calm and no wind this morning. once the anchor was up I headed off to the marina.

I guided Imagine through the southern passage and glided up to a vacant buoy, went out to the bow and hooked onto it. After another cup of tea I went ashore and dropped off the laundry. I went into town to the markets and picked up a few things, then returned to Imagine. this afternoon has been a lazy one.

Terrorists attack

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This morning another P&O cruise lines arrived at Port Vila. I went ashore this morning wedding my way though all the terrorists/ tourists. I needed to fill up the petrol can for the outboard and get some eggs. Well I got the fuel but the supermarket is out of eggs.

A little later I caught up with Markus and Bianca a couple thinking of joining us later. I brought them back to Imagine so they had a better idea of it was like.

I spent this afternoon sorting through photos. The cruise ship has just left, heading into the sunset and another destination.

Another farewell

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Wilson left today to fly back to New Zealand. We started the day early, as two boats had arrived over the weekend and were in the quarantine area ready to go to the customs office this morning. We had breakfast jumped in the dinghy and we were at customs by 8am. Being on island time, we new the staff wouldnt be their for the 8am opening time. So we waited and waited and waited. By the time the Immigration Officer arrived at 9.45 there were 3 lots of people lined up behind us.

It only took 15 minutes for Wilson to be discharged off the Imagine and get authorisation for B to return to Imagine. From Customs went by dinghy to the craft markets for Wilson to pick up gifts before heading back to the boat.

After lunch it was time to say goodbye and I took Wilson ashore to catch a taxi to the airport. I have just been chilling for the rest of the day.

Not a quiet day

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We have just chilled out today, but it has been far from a quiet day. While having breakfast on deck this morning a large vessel came into the harbour and anchored next to us. It had come in from overseas and was displaying its quarantine flag. It made plenty of noise as it dropped anchor. But more annoying is that they still haven’t turned off their engine or their large spot lights. So we may not get a great nights sleep.

Being Sunday we have also been serenaded by church singing and preaching from the shore.

Chill out

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Today was another day with little wind. That didnt matter too much as we werent going anywhere. After breakfast i got out the dive gear to go clean the hull. Wilson swam around the boat scraping the barnacle off at water level. While I dived and tried to get the barnicles off the keel. Unfortunately my ears were playing up and I could not equalise, so I had to stop for today. I’ll try again another day.

After that it was a day of chilling out. We had a drink on the deck as the sun went down, then Wilson made dinner.

Good bye for now

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This morning another cruise liner docked in Port Vila. the water taxis were busy ferrying people back and forth as we had breakfast. After breakfast B and I went ashore to check out the markets and buy some things for lunch. B bought herself a hat at the markets

After lunch I ferried B to shore as she was leaving. She had to go back to the hustle and bustle of Sydney for a short time. She will return in ten days for more adventures aboard Imagine.

I moved Imagine out of the marina and anchored in the bay. later in the afternoon Wilson returned to the boat after spending the afternoon wondering Port Vila.

Two different days

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Emma went on a guided day tour on the island. First stop was the reef zoological conservation center where you get up close to baby turtles. The next pond was older turtles getting ready for release into the wild again. They also had coconut crabs, iguanas, fruit bats, a goat and a pig. From there we headed to the Blue Lagoon which is naturally formed water hole, inland, with crystal clear water for swimming. We then went to Eden resort which has a small waterfall cascade you can swim in, we also had our lunch here. Last stop was the Tanna Coffee Factory were we saw how the coffee was made and bought some to take home.
My day on the other Hand, started out good. I went to immigration and sorted out the paperwork for getting Danielle and Wilson (new crew) through customs and onboard Imagine. Then next door to customs to cancel the cruising permit with Emma on board and get a new one with new crew. That’s was relatively easy.
Next call in to DHL to find out where the outboard is. Their tracking app said it was in Port Vila, so I wanted to know of any hold up and when it would be delivered. A simple request.9
When the lady entered the tracking code into their system, her face changed. I heard her say to herself it’s gone back to Sydney. She quickly turned to me and said “it must be on the flight coming in this afternoon. I’ll email you this afternoon with the delivery time.” I’m still waiting for the email and the outboard.
Tomorrow morning I will take another walk across town and ask again where it is, as it was supposed to be delivered before yesterday.
 

Mad Dogs and Englishmen

2023 NZ 1 Comment
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Saturday 7th January

We have been sheltered in Coppermine Bay having to put up with the constant light rain only being interrupted by heavy rain. It was time to get out the dive gear and start cleaning the hull.

At lunch time we checked the weather again. The high winds were going to die to nothing overnight and then have no wind for four days. That would have meant motoring back, so we decided to set sail back to Whangaparaoa.

We didn’t know at the time but all the Auckland ferries had been cancelled due to the high winds and waves.

With the Main reefed and Staysail out we headed off. Yes there were large waves and the wind was high, but just an average day for us out in the open ocean. We weren’t fighting the weather, Imagine just cruised through the waves while we drank our coffee.

This morning at Tindalls Bay it was quite calm but still overcast.

  • Coppermine Bay
  • Tindalls Bay