Category Archives: 2023 Season

Sunrise

We were out on on deck to watch the sunrise this morning. The darkness slowly turned golden. The clouds turned pink as the glowing sky gently changed to blue as the sun rose.
The wind came up about 9am so we decided to haul anchor and move around to another Bay. That’s when we discovered the relay for the anchor winch was playing up. An examination revealed it was beyond repair. OK, so I hot wired the winch.
We moved around the corner out of the wind. Before lunch was safety training. Wilson and Danielle put on the Lifejackets and jumped overboard. They were surprised at the feeling of constraint when it was triggered. After lunch we jumped in the dinghy and rowed to a nearby reef, where we spent a couple of hours snorkeling. When we returned to Imagine we just chilled out, did some sunbathing.
Now we are having a drink and nibbles, watching the sky turn golden as the sun goes down.
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Fueled up

First up this morning was to get fuel. Wilson took the helm, I guided him in and he parked it perfectly at the fuel dock. One look at Danielle on the bow with the dock line and the boys from yacht World came running to catch her line. It’s seemed strange but they didn’t assist with my dock lines.
After fueling Wilson took Imagine out of the harbour and into the Bay. Danielle and I put up the main, then they swapped. Danielle took the helm while Wilson pulled out the headsail.
We sailed most of the way, but had to motor around the end of Lelepa island. We tried to get in to the Bay on the northern side but the gap in the reef was a bit narrow. So we have found an anchorage just inside Port Havana.
We anchored, put the sails away, then in the water. Nice and refreshing but the current was a bit strong at mid tide so didn’t stay in long. Danielle got out the fishing rod and it wasn’t long before she caught a small fish. She is making pork, mash potatoes and veggies for dinner.
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First day

First day for Wilson and Danielle on SV Imagine. The first part of it was prepping for leaving the marina in Port Vila; getting supplies, learning safety procedures and getting a tour of our storage capacity. Our afternoon followed up nicely with reading and snacks. Andrew checked in with DHL once again to both good news and bad news. Of the two packages we are waiting on one has arrived, however customs can’t clear them until the third arrives. We’ve been told everything will be ready for pick up on the 14th. We shall see… For now we will go without as tomorrow we will be underway out of the marina into secluded territory for a few days to Snorkel and hang out. Wilson
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Update

I went to DHL this morning for an update. As I walked in the door everyone ran for cover and was suddenly busy elsewhere. After about ten minutes an unsuspecting lady came out of the lunch room and with nowhere to go, she had to assist me. She pointed out one parcel has arrived at their office. Either a very small outboard or its the inverter and shower pump. I asked where is the other one. She told me it is still in Fiji and will be on the next available flight. This could be on the weekend or next week. I asked when will the package in front of me be delivered. Both parcels have to be cleared together so it will be two days after the outboard arrives from Fiji.
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New crew

I went to the markets this morning and picked up a few things. The rest of the day was pretty quiet. Just did a few odd jobs while waiting for the new crew to arrive. Like everything their plane has been delayed. Danielle and Wilson didn’t get here till 8.30pm. It was almost 10pm by the time I had gone through the essential things on the boat and we headed off to bed.
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Progress

I went to DHL this morning and got updated. The shipment is on the plane arriving this afternoon (hopefully both parcels). It will reach DHL office tomorrow. Customs will clear it Wednesday and it will be delivered Thursday.
Thank you Sue, Darren and Rose for keeping chasing them.
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Bad timing

Early this morning while having a shower I saw another passenger liner pulled into the main warf. So began another stream of water taxis ferrying passengers into town.
The problem is, it’s Sunday. Almost everything is closed. Everyone is at church.
I rowed ashore this morning and found the supermarket was open, so I could get a loaf of bread.
By 1pm a few places opened for the terrorists. But by then I had seen boat loads head back to the P&O liner. By 3.30pm I could hear music eminating from the centre of town. Like yesterday’s liner, this one will leave before sunset. Arriving on a Sunday was bad timing by P&O.

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Tourists

I woke this morning to find a cruise liner pulling into the main dock. All day there has been a steady stream of water taxis ferrying everyone too and from shore. I didn’t bother to go ashore today. Too meany tourists, and it was raining. I just caught up on a few jobs on Imagine.
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Gloomy day

This morning the sky was grey (gray for our American friends). It was still raining with no wind. A fleet of French boats have arrived must be part of a cruising rally. All big expensive boats. So it may get crowded in the next few days. Emma was packed by 10am, ready to go catch her flight back to the land of OZ. We were going to fill up, but the tide is extra low and we can’t get into the fuel dock. This. Means the new crew arriving on Tuesday will have to maneuver Imagine into the fuel dock. I rowed Emma ashore and we said our farewells. The afternoon was just cleaning up ready for the next arrivals.
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A day of nothing

This morning Emma went off to explore more of the town, while I went back to DHL. This time I was told the parcels are on hold. One in Nadi Fiji and one in Sydney. There is a flight from Sydney this afternoon but they couldn’t tell me if my parcel would be on it. So I sit around and wait. This afternoon we are just chilling. We have that annoying light rain. Just enough we can’t open the hatches.
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