I have tried many times to get something to you all over the past week from here in Honiara. So slow and frustrating. Finally on the day we are leaving, it seems that it’s working.
We arrived here Monday 16th as you know and I got Steve safely on the plane next day. A bit of controversy over that as it was a suspected heart attack / stroke and the airline would not have let him fly without a medical clearance! Steve took on the responsibility himself as both myself and the Race Director advised him against flying without the medical check. The ex pat’s here though have a saying, ‘if you have a pain, get on a plane’ so all’s well that ends well. Steve has seen several specialists since he got home, but nothing conclusive as yet, at least no urgent surgery required.
Needless to say it was a stressful experience and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Having your mate screaming in agony in the middle of the ocean and all the medics can offer is to give him an aspirin but it worked. I managed to calm him down and get him safely ashore! Luckily my friend Shelly could get over here and help me to regroup.
We had hoped to get going last Friday, but I found a broken bolt on a fuel return-line. This was a challenge here, but I managed to find a bolt the right size and the guys out at the uni put it in their lathe and drilled it for me, works a treat.
The immigration closed early on Friday so we missed them and come Monday after they cleared us they sent me off to customs. They weren’t happy at customs as they didn’t even know we were here! Anyway we sorted that out on Tuesday and we’re now set to go. Off to the very friendly Point Cruz Yacht Club to say goodbye to our many new friends and we got invited to the Anzac day brekky, then a 50th birthday party.
No rush, we have fitted into Island time no problem. The reality was that we have been keeping an eye on the weather and that is certainly why there was no rush. It all looks a bit better over the next few days, so here’s hoping we can get going and keep moving towards our goal, Osaka!
Cheers from ‘The new Ute crew’
Fletch & Shelly
