Leaving Tuesday 25th!   Monday, 24/06/2024

We will be leaving on Tuesday rather than Wednesday. This came about on Monday morning, when I was emailed by Customs asking if I could leave a day earlier because a few other boats were leaving on Tuesday. Strangely, the Customs people come up from Auckland (roughly 200km away), and this would make things easier for them. 

I agreed. And then had a busy day, topping up the water tanks, filling my three jerrycans with water, generally getting everything ready, as well as going to the supermarket and making last minute food purchases. Then dealing with both this marina and Marsden Cove where the checkout takes place. 

Ironically, just after 6pm Customs called me and said Oh, you can check out on Wednesday after all… I then spent a few minutes persuading the guy that I would leave tomorrow. Might as well: it will be good to just go! A little stronger wind is forecast for tomorrow, perhaps up to 28 knots, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem. It’s westerly, becoming southwesterly, so it won’t be a case of fighting against it.

I do feel a bit apprehensive about leaving, but that’s completely normal. I always do! And so do other people – numerous people have said that to me. But once you’re going, you tend to settle into the rhythm quite quickly. 

It will be pleasant making progress north, especially because it will steadily get warmer. Compared to the typical daily maximum of 15 or 16C and minimum of about 8 here, in Port Vila, Vanuatu the typical day reaches 26, with a minimum of 22. That will be a welcome change.

Well, wish me luck!