Just livin...Now leavin

Greetings and my deepest apologies for not updating this sooner. Since our collective families have departed(Linda's sons and my daughters) we just started doing normal every day things. In other words we got up, went about our stuff enjoying the days and evenings and here we are now 2 months later. Linda did go back to Sidney and spent 7 weeks enjoying her time with family and friends. She had a great time. In the meantime, I "toiled" daily, either on Don Pedro, or on a golf course(of which there are many inexpensive, great municipality courses that average $20-25/round. 1 little gem in particular(18 holes, tree lined, meandering and undulating fairways,etc. etc.) cost $14 per round with $2. beers waiting you in the funky, friendly clubhouse. Oh wo was me, what a wonewy twime!!! I also met some great new people and just hung out amongst the boat folk.
When Linda returned, we were asked to look after a friend's 20 acre farm complete with 3 horses and 6 cows for 10 days. We loved it. I had to feed the horses hay once a day and Linda looked after the dog, Ruckus(appropriately named) and Spook the fat, black lazy cat. Fortunately, the cows looked after themselves. For the first time in almost 2 years, we had a fireplace, big flatscreen TV(still nothin on!!), stereo, big bed with a gorgeous view and a bathtub. YAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!
However, we are now back to reality, on the boat, in the Opua Marina and waiting for a weather window to depart for Fiji. This will be an 8-9 day trip at not the best time of the year. All of us had to wait here until Cyclone season ended. This meant that Fall came and now the New Zealand winter is about to begin. It is cold and has been raining about 60-70% of the time during the last 6-8 weeks. It also means that strong systems(lows and highs) that sweep across the Tasman Sea between here and Australia will affect the area we will be sailing through for the first 5-6 days of the trip. Many boats have left in the last 2 weeks and now we waiting our"turn" to head out.
I will be sending Theresa emails from sea via Sailmail and she will send them along to whoever wants to know how we are doing. I'll update the blog once we are settled in Fiji and I have a cold rum/fruit juice concoction in my hand, my ass on a warm beach and my toes in the azure, warm waters.
Love to all. John, Linda and Pat the birthday boy(38 yesterday...Chris, Happy Birthday to you, Neph!)

Don't know how this escaped me but we have to tell you. New Zealand is 1 of the greatest countries on this planet. If it wasn't so far from family and friends, we could live here in a heartbeat. The Kiwis are a great bunch of people, warm, genuine, friendly and helpful. Didn't meet a bad one!!! NZ also has great wines and food and our doller goes a long way. We have enjoyed our stay very, very much and would return if the opportunity presents itself.