Dave Woodfield

Hard on the wind all the way, but nevertheless made it without tacking. Departed at 07:30 after 4 other yachts had already set off from the rocky and rather rolly anchorage. A cracking if a little bouncy voyage once we cleared the island and faced the Pacific swell. Anchoring proved tricky amongst coral heads and rocks. We found a suitable bottom and swinging circle at the third attempt, after snorkelling revealed the immediate hazards at the second attempted anchorage. The first was amongst rocks and the anchor chain was not happy. Anchor watches were maintained overnight and I was glad to set off for Suva at 07:20 the next morning.

An exciting exit through the reef with Dave as lookout on the bow saying, “I’m not happy, I’m not happy!”, keeping us safe from rocks/ bommies. We then cautiously navigated along the reef in the middle of SomoSomo strait and finding no suitable anchorage, enjoyed a drift dive, with Happy Spirit drifting with Rick remaining onboard to look after her. The rest of the crew enjoyed an hour’s snorkelling on colourful and varied corals with plenty of fish and other sea life to view. After the dive we proceeded on around the Northern tip of Taveuni before anchoring at Qamea Island, opposite Taveuni.

A frustrating motor/sail into wind for half the passage, the wind not veering as forecast. Nevertheless, the second half was a pleasant starboard tack beat in a Force 4 with an average speed over 7 kts. The main engine fan belt started slipping early in the passage so the motor sail was done at under 1000 rpm but achieved about 5.5 kts. Several reefs to negotiate, only a coupe of which were visible with breaking waves. Intended anchorage was open to an unexpected swell from the west, so we moved slightly south through the passage between islands and had a comfortable night of Mantaray Resort.