Pebbles’ bottom is very low in the ground, now that we have all our cans and fuel on board. We’re very proud that we’re looking like an offshore boat now, with all the safety gear, solar panels and clever dingy hanger.

Good morning, good morning and welcome to the Cruisers Net on VHF Channel 77. Welcome new boats and farewell to those departing us today. First up, community news… the next local yoga class is at the Opua Community Centre starts at 9am – there’s no fee, koha accepted. And are there any requests for rides Paihia today? It’s the popular farmers market in Paihia so come back on channel eight if you need a ride. Now, we’ve had a request for jerry cans to be taken to Vanuatu and also a box of clothes to a family in Fiji. If there’s anyone who can help out there, please come back on eight. Plus, we had a request for where to get malaria kits, so any info on that would be appreciated. Now, over to you – let us know what you need, what you want and what’s going on. Oh, and the dinghy that just went past F pier two minutes ago, you’re going way too fast mate, way too fast. Over to you.

This whanau of sailors connect over the airways every day. They keep in contact on other channels while at sea too, either by email or VHF for those in 25-30 nautical miles at sea (to convert to kilometres, double it and take a bit off).

Opua Marina. They’re quite strict here – not as lovely as Mana!

We’re all so different but have this incredible thing in common. No one really asks what job you do. Blokes tend to talk ship, the gals talk about life. When I say that I hate a lot of actual sailing, I either get a laugh of relief and an instant connection, or a bit of a silence.

I met this man a couple of nights ago who is part of another boat’s crew, headed to Tonga. He says this trip has been on his bucket-list and can’t believe he’s about to do it. Even though he started a new job just a couple of weeks ago, he told his boss that if he didn’t approve his leave for the trip, he’d resign.

We’re going with a group called the Island Cruising Association (ICA). There are 25 boats in the rally. Dean and I are the youngest by 15-20 years, apart from three or four other couples. For many others it’s either part of a sailing way of life, or a retiring, bucket-list kind of thing.

We are nearly officially called ‘cruisers’. I’ve heard cruising describe as boat maintenance in exotic places. I’m ignoring everything else I’ve heard that is not cute and chirpy. This includes stories of storms, breakages, seasickness….STOP!

We leave tomorrow!!!! Our boat shopping is over. Now we’re boiling eggs for our snack box, putting the anchor winch back together and getting the inside of the boat ready for an offshore passage. This includes ‘hot beds’ – all the cabins are emptied so when you come off a shift you just take the one available. If the engine is going then the bunk room is wonderful. Night shifts – oh god. They’re hideous, like having jetlag then flying back before you’ve recovered.

Our crew is nearly complete. Ian arrived yesterday and Glenn arrives this afternoon. Glenn did the overnight bus trip from Wellington so he’ll be starting with nightshift jetlag already!

It’ll take about five days to get to Minerva Reef, if all goes well. Minerva Reef is actually two reefs where, at low tide, you can walk on them. In the middle of nowhere, with panoramic views of blue, we’ll be walking on water. It’ll be postcard-perfect.

Then it’s just a couple of days to get to the Ha’api group of islands in Tonga. The weather is looking good. We may have to motor for a day or so and then we’re expecting south-easterlies on the side. Once we go, we’re committed. Eeek.

Thank you to those who have supported us. Please do email us any time at pebbles@myiridium.net (text only). The longer we are away, the more we love hearing from you – anything from important things to dumb and lovely stuff.

We are so friggin’ excited! I asked Dean how he is feeling this morning and he said, “I just want to do it.”

Happy adventures everyone. Our next blog will be from the Ha’api Beach Resort in Tonga. In about ten days we’re going to be on a tropical island, just like the postcards! Woop, woop.

Fair winds and calm seas from Janie and Dean.

Zena!