Madrona through the tough pass - on western sie of the Lau Group now!

So we've made our tough crossing through the Lau Group of islands and re now on their west side. Still some other islands to pass before our turn up to Savusavu; we have to go by Mago Iland and then Vatu Vara Island, both will be n our stbd side.

Griffyn is 7!

We will celebrate in Fiji.

Some of the island we passed today had a wildness about them we haven't seen for a long time. Just spectacular.

We should get in sometime tomorrow late afternoon.

Bye for now.

S 17 35.74
W 178 55.56

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Aproaching Lakemba Passage

We are approaching Lakemba Passage. It should take us all night to traverse these reef strewn waters. Should make our turn northward sometime in the morning. 213 miles out from Nieafu.

Owen

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Off to see the Wizard

So we're off to Fiji - again.

We are taking off late today and should cross fairly easily.  So we'll see about maybe doing a sailmail update on the way.   Looks like strong winds the first couple of days then lighter after that.  We're taking the Lakeba Passage through the Lau Group - hopefully during daylight.  It's quite wide so we'll be right - not to worry.

Looking forward to seeing Savusavu and the friends we know are there and in the area.

Owen & family

Wonderful relaxation and fun in Tonga

Hi everyone,


We've spent the past week out in the islands and motus.  We wanted to enjoy all that this country had to offer; and that of course is a lot.  Having been here before, we knew some places we wanted to go, but didn't make it to last year.


We've spent the week snorkeling, swimming, doing lots of laundry, stowing fleece and sleeping bags we won't need for a long time.  The anchorage we've spent most of our time at had been magical.  Wonderful reefs, warm water, and perfect weather.  The kids would hike up to an old abandoned orchard and get pawpaw, limes, and coconuts.  Shell collecting, playing with crabs, canonballs off the deck, and playing with kids from two other boats have been highlights for Tamsyn and Griffyn.


Tamsyn is growing up so fast.  She and the oldest boy from S/V Sojourner went kayaking in twin kayaks around the reefs for over an hour by themselves and non of us parents worried a bit.  Griffyn is very excited about his upcoming birthday (7 !!).  Secret shopping began in New Zealand (shhhh...don't tell him).


We had a wonderful time visiting with Daniel and Michelle from S/V Evangeline.  The six of us had a great bonfire and marshmallow roast on a sand spit by the reef as first the sun went down and the stars came out.  The southern cross (Crux) was magnificent as usual and the dark obscuring dust cloud nearby - the coal sack - looked back as night against the riot of stars in the milky way.  Then the moon rose orange and immense.


So we're back in "town" for a night or two mainly to check email and buy some produce.  We are thinking of heading to Fiji the middle of next week.  The weather has been good, but the winds have been a bit light.  We're waiting for them to pick up a little for our passage.


So we're going out for a few days again, and will return again to town the beginning of the week to check mail again and look at thew long term weather outlook.  Then, if all looks good, we'll stow gear and ready the boat for the passage.  It should be an easy compared to the last one.


Once back on passage we'll have to do school again.  There has been a global amnesty on all pending school assignments this past week.


Everyone on Madrona says hi to family and friends.


Cheers,


Owen & family

This is a sailmail test from Madrona

This a sailmail test from the folks on Madrona. If you can read this it worked.

Owen

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In Tonga - diverted here due to bad weather

Hi all.

We are fine; safe in Vava'u Tonga after diverting from Fiji due to weeks of pretty bad weather.

On our passage we have two intense lows pass to our south and then a nasty gale on top of that.  It was probably our most unpleasant passage to date, but we are recovering.

This time of year you can't make the trip up from New Zealand without having at least one of the periodic lows that travel east off the Tasman Sea hit you, but we lucked out and got two.  The first was quite intense.  We had 5+ meter seas (8 to 10 second period) and 30 to 35 knots out of the north for 2 1/2 days.  Then after we were in a trough and dead air - with enormous residual swells - for a whole day.  We motored 10 hours out of the trough, found the trades and sailed north again for 4 days. 

Then the second low came.  It was nearly as intense as the first, and lasted the same time, and also had a following trough with dead air afterwards.  The toll for those two lows was some new leaks, a big splash of water in the hatch onto the nav station (read on our SSB radio), and mom & dad very tired.

When we were within 160 miles of Fiji, entering into the triangle described the the two main islands to the west and north, and the Lao group of islands (with its hundreds of islands and thousands of reefs) to the east, just then - a fierce 25 to 30 knot headwind developed out of the NW, with a big 4 to 5 meter swell that was pushing us relentlessly towards the Lao group.  After trying all kinds of sail configurations, motoring, and motor sailing, we couldn't even hold station.

We had to bail, and bail we did - heading SE around the southern end of the Lao group (we cut between some islands) and then swung back up NE toward Tonga.  We had a good sail until our last day, when the wind backed just as we were 30 miles off Vava'u.  Big swells again, and 25 knots.  A 50 foot Australian boat broke up on the rocks in that blow.  We motored in the last bit, and tied up at the pier at 10:30 pm local time.

Sorry that our time out of communication was so worrisome to our family and friends.  Madrona is a very solid boat and she was never in any danger.  Our SSB radio choose this passage to stop working.  We think we've got it back working now, but radios are always chancy due to reception and atmospheric conditions. 

Thanks to Mike M. in Fiji for offering encouragement and council to family.  It turns out that a lot of boats diverted away from Fiji.  We are getting laundry done, and putting away our cold weather gear.  We are also fixing a few things that gave us trouble on the way up.  In a week or so we plan on jumping to Fiji.  It should be a four to five day trip (weather dependent).  

So all are well.  We went snorkeling yesterday!

Cheers,

Owen

48 hours out from New Zealand

Hi all,

We're out 48 hours from Opua, New Zealand and doing well. The seas are big, and the winds light and variable,but we are doing fine. Our position is below:

S 32 30.43
E 175 51.97

Family watching "Bringing up Baby" with Grant and Hepburn

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