2 May is the day. We set sail from Opua, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, to Tonga. First, we leave Mana Marina where we’ve been living for two years, on 1 April. Yes, it’s April Fools Day, but we’re not one for superstition (I’m tapping my head and touching wood as I say that).

In fact, we’ve just changed the name of our boat from Pebble Rebel to Pebbles. I did try to get a virgin to pee in the bilge – as our dog peed on the marina lawn I tried to shove a cup under her pee, but all I got was a dribble on the side of the cup. So my Facebook post to The Ledger of the Sea is going to have to be enough.

We’re in manic preparation mode for our trip mode.  The Category 1 inspector from Yachting NZ is coming in two hours. Wish us luck.

I’ll be posting as I go. You can also read previous writing from my Boat People column in KapiMana News, and other magazines and newspapers. You can also follow our journey via GPS to see where we are at any time. I’ll put that link up soon.

And you can wish us ‘fair winds and calm seas’ at any time, by leaving a comment.

I suppose there’s always a first time to do things. I’m good at firsts. It’s the seconds I struggle with!

Thanks for joining us. It’s the community around us that has kept us going at times. Sign up to the RSS feed to receive my updates, or follow us via email (on the right).

Arohanui.

Janie