3rd May – From Emma- We cleared customs from Auckland and after a tricky manuever off the docks we were on our way. The rain had hit us by then and made for a bumpy ride out of the harbour and along the coast. Feeling confident I offered to make lunches down in the saloon, two wraps in and I went from hero to zero real quick. Back up in the Cockpit I had my head out in the fresh air taking some deep breaths. Andrew then said I should take another sea sick tablet as I was the colour of someone that should. First round of shifts went pretty well considering the conditions and Tony prepped our dinner of spag bol. My second shift started at 10pm and I quickly learnt that coming from downstairs to the Cockpit did not go well for me and up came mums spaghetti. With that done I was able to finish out my shift with Tony by my side for reassurance.
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

Last night was a case of more tacking and not getting very far. We were being hammered by 2 to 2.5m waves and the wind rocked from 25 to 30 knots. This morning the waves reached 3.5m.
Everyone is tired. We got little sleep and for the girls it was a new experience and both discovered they do get sea sick. Tony and I took double shifts, our own and sat with Emma and Iris on their shifts.
This morning as is got light we saw the outboard motor was gone off the back of Imagine. One of the many waves that hit us during the night must have tore it off its mount. Its the first time I mounted it on the outside. That was because the safety gear (droug) was mounted on the inside. I wonder how much outboards are in Vanuatu.

Officially we are not in New Zealand. We cleared through customs this morning. Unfortunately the wind has been more northerly than easterly. This has meant we have been talking all day and only reach Whanagparaoa where everyone boarded Imagine two nights ago. We are not allowed to stop and rest over night anywhere. So we are continuing.

After a decent sleep from everyone on board and breakfast eaten, it was time for the safety briefing on the Imagine. Andrew covered everything we would need to know and then included a real life, life jacket deployment. This consisted of jumping in the icy NZ waters with the life jacket on and then pulling the cord inflating them. After some delicious lunch we refuelled, pulled the dinghy onboard and put the sails up. We each took turns at the helm, learning the ropes 😉 in preparation for take off tomorrow morning once customs is cleared.

(Story by Emma)

We started the day packing more pre made dinners ready for the trip. Then we hauled anchor and sailed around to the southern side of the peninsula. Here we cleaned the boat and prepared for the new crew.
The crew had a long day as the ferries had stopped running, so Tony and Emma came by Uber and Iris by bus. Sue was still onboard to meet them when they arrived but left soon after, as her ride arrived. Sue is staying with friends Dannie and Greg for a few days. Sue is not coming to Vanuatu this season, but staying in NZ.
After eating Sue’s cottage pie, we all sat around getting to know each other.

Almost there. Today Sue finished off all the prepared meals for the trip.
Yesterday I installed a new start battery. Unfortunately it was faulty. It would not start Imagine. So this morning the battery guy brought back the old start battery and took away the faulty one. He will bring a new battery tomorrow.
It was a challenge getting ashore to swap batteries. We have had winds in excess of 30knt for most of the day and a metre to 1.5 metre of swell. I had to time it just right surfing the waves into shore. Then getting back was even more fun. Trying to drive the dinghy over the pounding waves. No, I didn’t stay very dry.
Back on Imagine I started the engine to charge up the batteries as there has been no sun for the solar panels.
Next problem. The lock on the toilet door broke. I thought I needed to fix it as I don’t think the new crew would like to use the toilet when the door won’t shut.
There was no way get back to shore (no beach left) with the waves crashing onto the break wall. Luckily a friend I phoned was going to Bunnings. I sent him a picture of a lock what I think will work. He will get it to me tomorrow night.
Tomorrow we may have to move to the other side of the peninsula if the weather turns northerly as forecast. We are just waiting for the right weather to sail to Vanuatu but may have to go to Bay of Islands and sign out of there.

We headed to shore with lots to do this morning. Sue went off with the laundry while I went to get the gas bottle filled. I had just enough time to get back to Imagine with the gas bottle and connect it when Owen (the CAT1 inspector) called to say he was on shore. I picked him up in the dinghy and he started his inspection. An hour later he signed off Imagine as having all the safety equipment and in good order. We are good to go. Well, almost.
It was 1pm by the time the laundry was ready. I took it all back to the boat while Sue went off to the supermarket for more stock for the boat.
I spent the afternoon fixing a small diesel leak. It was evening by the time Sue returned and it took two trips in the dinghy to get all the provisions on board Imagine. We are stocking up for six months as we don’t know what we will be able to get in Vanuatu other than fresh fruit and veg. But after 2 cyclones even that may not be available.
Three days before the crew arrive and still a few things to do and as usual, the weather has other plans for us with high winds, swell and rain for the next few days.

Monday 24th April
Another busy day today. With Darren’s help I took the dinghy to his shed where we cleaned, prepared, masked and then painted a red UV protection on the dinghy. That took all day to apply 4 coats. Now it needs to cure for 2 days. This means kayaking to and from shore which is interesting in 15 to 20 knot winds!
Sue was on Imagine repacking the bulk food into containers and vacuum sealed bags and stowing into compartments itemising as she went so we know where to find things!

Sunday 23rd April
We are still getting the boat ready for the trip to Vanuatu. Only a week to have the last of the stores onboard and the final things ready for the CAT1 inspection on Friday. The crew arrive on Monday 1st May then it’s whenever the weather looks good, we are off.
A lot of people are eager to help the people in Vanuatu after they have had two cyclones and an earthquake in last month. K Mart here in Auckland have just donated a pile of kids clothes, pillows and sanitary items for us to distribute among the villages on our travels.
Other individuals on the Hibiscus Coast have offered to donated anchors, chain, rope, bedding and adults clothes (No, not that sort of adult clothes).
We will have a full boat by the time we set sail.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks.
Two new Liferings with drogues and lights mounted on the back of Imagine

Bracket made for the Starlink dish and it has now been mounted

Liferaft and Danbouy sent off to be repacked and certified

All the life jackets have been tested and had new gas bottles fitted

New flares in the grab bag

The EPIRB was tested last time and is still current

The gas certificate has been checked and is still current

Fire extinguishers have been replaced

The sensor in the toilet holding tank has been replaced

A blower has been fitted to the engine room, to suck the hot air out

We have patched the leak in the dinghy

Some supplies purchased

Helped a friend install the fuel tank into his boat
Now we’ve got to wait for the liferaft and Danbouy to come back, then get the CAT1 signed off.

Next is working on servicing Imagine’s engine and stocking, fueling and cleaning the boat. –