Hi
from Clare, Wednesday 3rd
June 2016
We
are now back on the boat in Taiohae Bay Huku Hiva and very pleased to
be here after ten months in Australia.
WHY
SO LONG AWAY
Just
a quick update on the Breast Cancer scenario. I underwent surgery, 15
weeks of Chemo, 5 weeks of Radiation and will be on Hormone Therapy
for the next 5-10 years.
I
consider myself fortunate as I had very few side effects from the
treatment. I also had terrific support from Andrew, family and
friends. A special thank you to Denise and Colin Wilson who made us
very welcome in their home throughout the time. It was also very
heartening to receive many emails and well wishes from our cruising
friends, so thanks guys, all the hugs were well received.
 |
| The Cruise ship is in |
So
here we are in Nuku Hiva almost twelve months to the day of arriving
here last year. We never imagined leaving the boat at anchor for
such a long period. However it was well looked after by Kevin from
Nuku Hiva Yacht Services. He reported back to us weekly completing a
check list that he and Andrew devised before we left. Fortunately
Taiohae Bay is considered one of the safest bays in French Polynesia
throughout the Cyclone Season. We left a Satellite Tracker on board
and so Andrew could see that Eye Candy was just happily bobbing
around here. The boat is in good condition, the anti foul has
survived quite well. Upon arrival our water line was heavily coated
with barnacles which Andrew has been scraping off every day. Our two
year old anchor chain hasn't survived so well. The ten metre section
between 40-50 metres has been rubbing on the sea floor and is badly
pitted and corroded. We will have to replace this when we get to
Tahiti in about three months. Today there is a large cruise ship here
and so the drums are beating and the local people are welcoming the
visitors ashore. It is a beautiful sunny day and quite a festive
sight.
 |
| The music makers |
HE'S
BACK!
Andrew
received a very rousing welcome back on our daily Radio Net. He has
been missed but hasn't as yet resumed his position as a Net
Controller. However I'm sure it won't be long before he is back on
the air. We are slowly getting into cruising mode
We
arrived here a week ago on Wednesday, the following night we had
drinks with Jeanette and Neil on “Echo Echo”. Although we hadn't
met them we felt we knew them as we have been following their Blog
covering their journey from Panama to the Marquesas.
Andrew
had also sent them a couple of emails from Kiama.
SETTLING
IN
Early
Tuesday morning we welcomed into the bay our Aussie friend Tony and
crew member Garry on “Tactical Directions” . They had completed
their 4000 mile trip from Panama to Marquesas. We joined them for a
celebratory beer at about 6.30am (can you believe it?) followed by a
cooked breakfast ashore. We spent the morning familiarising Tony and
Garry with the town and helping them with some much needed shopping.
That night I supplied dinner and Tony supplied drinks on “Tactical
Directions”. We had a fun night but I must say we were a little
worse for wear the following morning. Last night we had drinks with
some of our new Radio Net friends. Brian and Yoko hosted the evening
on “Pia” and Oliver and Vivian on “Maryanne” joined us also.
It is always great to make new friends especially as a lot of our
long standing friends are sailing on to either Australia or New
Zealand this season. Tonight we are having a BBQ with Tony and Garry
on “Tactical Directions”. Tony is supplying the meat and I am
supplying nibbles, a salad and garlic bread. We are already giving
ourselves a lecture to stay away from the rum – let's hope we are
listening to such sage advice.
SO
WHAT'S NEXT
We
still have a few jobs to do but at the same time looking for a
weather window to sail the 500 miles to the Tuamotu where we will
have clean water, good swimming and snorkeling – we can't wait.
Love
Candy xx
