SAVEA - The trip home to Tonga

With Townsville in the background our return trip had begun. The first few days were a little hows your father but it cleared up after that and luckily was also quite uneventful. The boys weren't as sea sick this trip home but the food supplies were very limited and traditional, so after 5 days of pretty much one pot cooking it was time for me to have a bash after stocking up in Port Villa with some essentials for both crew and personal use. We had a refuel stop over in Port Villa for a few hours outboard of HMAS CHILDERS (Australian Patrol Boat/Sea Patrol type for you civi's) she had just entered port before us and was on her way home from Tonga. A good chance to catch up on home and what Jodie and the kids were up to while they were in town. After that we had a pretty smooth sail back to Tonga only to become a little lumpy on the last day. After a late afternoon anchorage to clean the boat and change into rig/uniform, it was time to return alongside Tonga.

Finally with Townsville to my back it was homeward bound.

I thought it was a mistake at first. But this cracked myself (and Barry up too during sea trials) both lunch and dinner only ever came with a spoon and always looked very similar - it was mixed up with either rice, noodle or spud. Breakfast was interesting too - no cutlery even when scrambled eggs made the menu. Saves washing up I guess.

Sleeping space was at a premium and this is the chart room next to the wardroom were I slept on the fold out couch/come day seating. The green mat on the deck usually had two guys in there asleep.

Sunrise as we waited to enter Port Villa.

The anchorage as we passed behind Irriki Island resort.

The Radio Operator closed up amongst the sofa beds and 3 seater couches.

HMAS CHILDERS as we came alongside, the memories came flooding back but quickly passed when I heard the piping system. Nothing but Island life for this bloke for a while!!!

On our departure Brett the Port Villa TA came up with the goods and directed us to "Fish alley" on our way home.

No sooner had I filleted it the boys boiled the frame and devoured it. Couldn't get to close I may have lost a limb.

That night I showed the cook Muffy ( the lowest ranked and I think youngest kid on board) how to make Pizza's with the help of some extra ingredients and the fresh tuna. After nine of these bad boys and a big bowl of chocolate pudding I had them beat!! Amazing I know but it didn't make the chief engineer happy because the toilets were very messy the next day - must have been the change in diet, I was fine though.

The skipper (Holo) taking the watch on the home leg, one chief engineer did a 25 hr watch. They usually have the Tongan music blaring around the clock. It was pretty clear from my room but a nice tune to go to sleep to. Dress at sea is pretty casual especially when your washing machine is buried under a few tonne of goodies.

We changed over to Hand steering on the last day when it became a little rougher with the following sea. The coxswain and Navigator both had a go and not bad either.

Atata Island in the background, finally Tongan soil.

After a quick scrub and upper deck wash down it was time to enter harbour.

Holo the CO looking very relaxed as we did our fly by of the Kings' Day palace.

Entering HMNB Masefeild after 8months away.

The CO heading over to the Brigadier and Acting CO Navy to unofficially hand over the boat.

Once the final prayer, customs and quarantine were complete it was onto the hard work of unpacking. It went well into the night but there were a lot of smiles around the wharf. Even from my monkies to finally see Dad home safe and sound and before the 29 April too.