Yet another gorgeous destination has entertained the rally for the past week. As all yachts left Savusavu, they had different itineraries in mind. A few of us, who were left behind for a couple of days, hired scooters or cars and sampled the delights of the interior of Vanua Levu. We visited a local village, Clarence and Yvonne’s fantastic Copra Plantation right at the edge of the beach; we travelled across the island to see the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world from the heights of Palmlea Farm. At Palmlea, Joe and Julie entertained us to a great lunch and showed us around their fabulous eco-property and goat farm which they have built themselves over the past 6 years; it really is worth a visit.

Natibou led the charge to the Yasawa Islands, a fascinating and little visited chain on the western side of the Fijian archipelago. They were richly rewarded, as were Miss Tippy and Jackamy, with some fantastic anchorages and deserted beaches and, above all, some captivating snorkelling with Manta Rays and myriad gorgeous fish.

Others set off for the delights of Musket Cove. This is an unparalleled island resort, pioneered by Dick Smith about 40 years ago, that has retained its unspoilt charm whilst providing all the creature comforts a wandering sailor could desire. Here, the ladies could get their sugar massages, their hair-dos and lots of “me” time. There are not many engineering facilities, so the men were forced to relax as well. Last Wednesday we had an “Activities Day”. Golf in the morning was won by Mark and Ger, and in the afternoon Pete Callis and Pete Benziger won the blindfolded canoeists races (where one of two people in a canoe has a paddle and is blindfolded, and the other one doesn’t have either). You can imagine the chaos that ensued – you had to know your left from right and how to make the canoe go the appropriate way. A great day was had by all.

The following day we had a first for this BWR – a “Swap Meet”, in Fijian terms. You might know it better as a jumble sale, bring-and-buy or Treasures-of-the-bilge sale. No sooner had the crews appeared with armfuls of clothes, books, food, rope, paint etc, than the locals and other yachties were crowding round eager to buy. Fiji is so remotely located that they do not get the chance to see and buy some of the things which we take for granted. Later that evening we had the last Chamomile Quiz and a rally farewell barbecue.

Chamomile will be staying in Fiji for a few more weeks to visit many other areas and the Lau Group of islands, which until recently have been prohibited to yachtsmen and even now one needs a special licence. Then they are going to visit Tonga and head off to New Zealand for a couple of seasons. Two other yachts, Gaultine and Briet, have almost completed their circumnavigations with BWR and Mercury Rising is leaving the rally; all three are heading off to New Caledonia and then Bundaberg or Brisbane. Mercury had already left Fiji, but we had a circumnavigation plaque for Stuart on Gaultine and are sending one to Duco, whose decision to take this route was decided at the 11th hour. Carolyn, from Gaultine, stood up and gave a heartfelt and very complementary speech to all the rally and to the company, and her thoughts were subsequently echoed by Duco. We wish them all the best of sailing in the future and long and happy lives. I hope we see them again soon somewhere.

A big exodus of yachts takes place next Monday 26 July, when a Customs team comes across to Musket Cove, from the main-island, to do the check-out administration and see most yachts off to Vanuatu and thence to Mackay in Queensland Australia. Where we will lose another couple of yachts, but gain some others too. Laroobaa, with Guy and Semone, plus little Hugo and Juliette, joined the rally in Musket Cove, but immediately shot off to Vanuatu to do some exploring. They were accompanied by Gavin and Lica on Sol Maria, who will join the rally in Mackay.