30 August 2024 – Tahiti

We woke to find another nice day. Mark had not returned and had stayed with Corinne in the hospital. He had sent us a message saying she was not feeling great after the operation and he was staying. We had a good breakfast and were expecting the watermaker man. He arrived at 7.50 am and I showed him all and he looked around the watermaker system.

After a while he asked me to start up the generator and put on the watermaker. It appeared as if the preliminary pump was not working and he checked the voltage. It seems the pump was faulty and they have replacements. However, he said he would have to go back and either come today or next week. I pushed him for Monday and he said he would be in touch.  I will need to ensure I keep on to them otherwise it would slip. It was reassuring to know what the problem might be.

Mark messaged to say that Corinne was feeling much better and that the Doctor was doing his rounds at about 8.30am and they were then hoping to come back to Stormbird. We did not hear from them again until about 9.30am and they were on their way back. At about 10.30am Corinne and Mark came back and we welcomed them on board. Corinne had had a bit of an ordeal but the operation had apparently gone well and the surgeon was pleased. Corinne had a little to eat and was not quite herself during the day and recovering from the operation.

We had a light lunch altogether at about 1.00pm and then Corinne had a well-deserved rest. Mark, Keith and I got out the fishing gear and sorted out the new rod. I forgot to mention that on our way back from Moorea we had put out the new rod and the ratchet went off and we had a fish on the line. However, whatever it was it was big and the line (despite the fact that it was a 50kg strength line) snapped. We lost the lure etc and our pride.

When we examined the reel it was clear that the braid line had not been put on well which could have contributed to the breakage. We therefore undid the line sufficiently and put some more line on and a new lure etc. Mark was effectively explaining to Keith and I about how to sort out the lines and knots to fix up the rod etc. As we were doing this it started to rain and it rained most of the afternoon.

Whilst Corinne rested I looked at planning the passage from Tahiti to Niue (an island west of the Cook Islands) where you can take up mooring buoys. Apparently it is a lovely island. It is about 1,150nm from Tahiti. Whilst the Cook Islands may be interesting there are no real anchorages in these islands and only one has a port which is quite small. My view therefore is to skip them and to have a few days in Niue before moving on to Tonga. It is about 300 nm from Niue to Tonga. Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom of more than 170 South Pacific islands, many uninhabited. I had always assumed it was just one large island but it is not.

I also tried to use this opportunity to update the software on our Raymarine System. I tried to do this twice and it did some but not others. I then found that there was a problem with the main plotter at the helm opening. I think I will now need to call someone in to check it. However, I will have to check in the morning.

We had a quick beer at the local restaurant Casa Blanca and then Mark cooked  chicken and mushroom risotto which was very good. Corinne had an early night and we hope and assume she will feel more her normal self in the morning. Luckily the rain has stopped but it is still grey as the day ends.

The picture of the day is the water maker controls as I took no other picture today. When working correctly it makes about 250lts of water per hour.

Urgent Crewing Opportunity

Mark will take Corinne home so if anyone would like to join Keith and I to see some more of The Society Islands now and until 29 September 2024 please get in touch. This could be a unique opportunity to see these islands. This is  your chance.

Crewing Opportunity Year Two

In year two I will be going from New Zealand in early January 2025 across to Sydney and up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025. I will need some more crew.

If there is any interest do email me at  hine.nick9@gmail.com  

The blog will continue as we move through French Polynesia and beyond. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com