Ocean of Light yearly school concert

This year Em's class performed a Ta'alunga and Jodie, Maria (our Fijian house lady) and Em built her outfit from scratch. Dylan opted not to join in with his class for their traditional boys dance. They may look simple but Em needed all the help she could get to put it all together on the day. Lyndon missed this years performance as he was off fishing in Vava'u. This years theme was traditional and they also had displays of the semesters work for parents and friends to look at.

Una and Maria help dress Em. Maybe some hips might help keep it up?

You can build anything with a hot glue gun and some feathers

All done and looking good.

Maria made her Teki too.

Where's mum's outfit?

Some of Em's class mates. L-R Em,

Em's an old hand at it now but when she's stuck in the middle of Royal's and Nobles she's still the novice.

Dylan showing off some of his art work (traditional grass weaving)

Em made this little critter for her classes aquarium display.

Just to finish up, a random shot of Pebbles and Karen from next door. Just so you can keep an eye on how fast she is growing (yum yum).

Emily Rose turns 11

This years event was a two part celebration.Em and several of her friends have birthday's at the same time and to ensure they all OD'd on sugar for the month they had one party every weekend for a month straight. Thanks everyone that sent pressies and cards over, as you will see below she had a ball on her actual birthday opening them all. We had a quiet day with pressies and a big breakfast followed by mum's test run cake for the birthday party, followed by dinner out - Em's choice and typical Tonga her Ex favourite restaurant no longer sells her favourite meals so it was off to Friend's cafe for a beautiful dinner.

Em getting into it on the actual morning of her birthday.

Two candles - 1 for Jodie to celebrate child birthing day and 1 for Em (Pooh still No.1 after all these years)
and they make up the number 11

Later in the month we had the actual Pool party. With a staggared start the girls made picture frames with shells and Lyndon got to glue them on. Emily had been collecting them for months. Hopefully there will be some left when we leave. Once she even got a bit eager and brought one home with an animal still in it. Her room stank for weeks, poor Jodie & Maria were beside themselves trying to find the source of this incredible stink.

Nothing like a little Sea horse action to warm the girls up.

Pressie time, a common theme could be seen in all the green presents. Hmmmm Em's favourite colour at the moment possibly?

For all the whinging about not doing house work the girls loved the test of endurance. Jodie had to compete to make up the numbers.

Next was the beach themed shuttle race. Lyndon had to demo clubby hat and all.

Some people like Necie made it look easy.

Others like Jodie NOT so easy.

Then there was Mu, who just made it look great!

This was the group photo which we put in everyones picture frame as a momento of the day.

Toot's showing off her super natural strength.

This event was a last minute entry by the girls. Bet they wished they were really on sand now? That is after some of the stacks.

This years cake creation(requested by the birthday girl) but made by mum was a rainbow bird in the sun! (incase you can't see it) We imported some lollies from NZ and Oz to help with the decorations and party bag treats.

After a BBQ, more lollies and a dip in the pool, it was time for cake.

Some of the girls hung around and joined Em in the Aquathon and they called themselves "The Rubber Duckies!" Now only another 12 months to prepare for next years. Dyl got lucky and headed to Tomasi's for the day - Em was quiet strict on the NO boys rule minus Dad!

TIGFA - 20th International Billfish Tournament

Lyndon's dream come true fishing trip has now come and gone but instead of writing up a story first, I'll explain along the way as there were too many great shots that had to go in. After counting down the sleeps and after a few meetings back at the Billfish bar it was off to represent the Nuku'alofa fishing club in the Vava'u 20th International Billfish competition. Home for the weeks adventure was a 46 ft Riviera "ESCAPADE NZ' owned and operated by Roscoe and Denise. Thankfully they've been bringing their baby over from NZ for the Tongan fishing season.

This was the first view of ESCAPADE NZ moored in Neiafu Harbour.

Inside the saloon but look at the monsters hanging off the roof (37kg outfits) but our aim was light tackle from the get go.

This was the smallest bed onboard that we had to fight over. I ended up in here but it is still twice the size of a navy bunk, I nearly got lost in it it was that roomy. Tony's snoring kept everyone up the first night so he was moved on for every ones safety and sanity.

This was my first room (the flying bridge) very cool and silent but it was not meant to be as the team came first and Tony was banished to up here!

On our first day aboard Roscoe took us out to familiarise us with the boat, deck and rod setup's and so he could also check out our angling form. This was more so to see who would have the joy of fighting their monster stand up style in case of double hookups.

Our main armament 24kg lines and one of our sponsors flags, the airline that we flew up on.

I was up for the first 15min rotation and yep my first Blue Marlin. No longer a Marlin virgin we tagged and released an estimated (Roscoe's estimate if it was up to me it would have been bigger) which also came with an additional 250 points for being the first billfish of the comp.

My first ever 80kg Blue Marlin on 24kg line (3250 points) Tagged and Released in 13minutes.

Day two saw Tony catch his first ever Blue Marlin, again another 80Kg fish on 24kg line. Neil also caught dinner, a mahi mahi but not big enough to weigh in though.

MANGO's Bar and restaurant was our base and weigh station for the week.

With very few fish being caught day two saw us take the lead and sadly the stinking yellow Jersey (covered in blood and guts) You weren't allowed to remove it until it was handed to the next winner, Tony slept, ate and tried to hug as many people as he could in it.

We decided to sign it just so everyone new we got our grubby hands on it too.

Sunday was a lay day with no fishing allowed in Tonga so we headed out to Tonga Beach Resort for a lunch and competitor photo shoot.

I had a special little care package arrive Sunday morning from Nuku'alofa, Em she flew up with her friend Alice who's dad flies and owns Chathams Pacific airlines (one of our sponsors) So we invited them all aboard for the day and we had so much fun they even stayed onboard for dinner before departing us. Em also told me that this kind of fishing boat is OK to own. Hint hint! Who says she's not a dreamer?

After a successful third day out and with another Blue tagged, Bob's this time. The skipper (Roscoe) decided to Denise's dismay to go through the hole in the wall in celebration of still leading the comp.

Just a small collection of our killer lures.

After the wind picked up around midnight we decided to move the boat. The next morning with a picture perfect sunrise we woke in this small bay around from the starting line. Nothing beats heading out to the start line while your still having a hot shower and breakfast.

Our final day out and like all Tongan secrets everyone found out before the day had even started that it was Roscoe's 63rd birthday - calls and songs of well wishes were coming in over the radio even. That arvo the girls at Mango's got to him with the red lippy too.

Our Watch Dog "Matt" who awarded the yellow leader jersey and manned the radios for the entire comp made one slip up and ended up with his own smelly shirt for a few days. Not so bad at sea in a fishing comp but he was trying to run his business in town, not fishing with us! Poor bloke but he kept the camaraderie going all week long.

Late on the last day we got our last hook up and after a great first run it ended up being Wally Wahoo. All 21.8kgs of him which after weighing in we swapped for a case of beer at the bar.

Later the next night at presentation old Wally won me the best Wahoo angler section and also the most team points for the Wahoo section!

I also picked up a new rod for catching the first Marlin of the comp, presented by the governor of Neiafu. Now all I need for Xmas is a new reel to go with it, hint hint Jodie!

After all our efforts we were pipped on the last day by less than half a fish (in points) and came home second with a invitation for our team to fish the Vanuatu Billfish comp mid 2012.

One very happy team, 3 Blue Marlin, 1 Wahoo, 1 Mahi mahi and lots of beers and great memories.

Roscoe and the team decided to donate our cash winnings to the Vava'u FAD (Fish Attracting Device) fund only if the skipper from the winning team Hakula cut his hair (the first one in several years) Tears of joy he told us? Another great night of celebrations.

We had a lay day Wednesday (reserve day in case of bad weather - Not needed, what were they thinking?) but after many hours of celebration the night before Tony and I decided to see the sights of Neiafu in these little buggies. Fun, fun and even more fun!!!!

Most of the sights were missed due to us looking for more mud puddles and avoiding coconut trees but it was a great tour and definitely a different way to see the island.

This was as far onboard as Denise would let us and I can't blame her either. We had mud from head to toe but I'm sure glad I wasn't cleaning the Buggies though.

Finally it was back to reality, well Tongan style on our 1950's CONVAIR plane. Can't wait till next year, fingers crossed ESCAPADE NZ with Roscoe and Denise return to TONGA and we get a gernsey too but what an experience! Once in a lifetime! Thanks Sweetheart!!!!!