.: In memory of Erich Bruckmann

The source of the many hot springs surrounding Suva Suva

The weather has finally co-operated, so after another week of overcast, windy and rainy weather, we are able to depart today. This next week we will slowly make our way across the northern portion of Fiji to reach the Nadi side. This is a lovely area and we have gone this way twice before, so we will search out some new anchorages and snorkeling areas to explore. We will be off the grid again, hence the reason for me doing the blog a day earlier than normal.

Hairy Tree on shore

Although we have not been able to do too much exciting this week, it has been really interesting to listen to the two Ham radio nets each morning. Last week we learned of an Air Canada flight enroute to Sydney, Australia when the pilot was alerted to an emergency beacon at sea. He took the plane down and had the passengers keep an eye out. One of them spotted a boat at sea and they were able to make contact. The boat was in an emergency situation taking on water, so Air Canada was able to raise the coast guard who successfully rescued the crew.

Mango forests are very common here in Fiji

What is also interesting is for the past few weeks and for the next two weeks, there are a number of boats making their passages to either New Zealand or Australia since the cyclone season starts here on November 1^st. We are following all of them as they report in each day. This week the weather has been stormy and there is one single hander who left from right beside us here just two days ago. He has been beaten up by squall after squall, but as he says “he will soldier on”. Another boat reported a medical emergency due to a severe allergy to an anti-sea-sickness patch. They still have four days to go till landfall, so hopefully things will go alright.

The Canadian government assisting with school projects

A number of boats were scheduled to leave this Monday, but another big front is moving in, so they are re-evaluating. We are really looking forward to following them as we have become friends with many of them that will be leaving. In another part of the world, our good friend Scott from Beachhouse sent his position report today and I’m thrilled to announce that he has safely arrived in Madagascar. He will spend a few days recovering from the 10 day passage and then will begin his next leg to South Africa.

Peter wanted me to include a photo of this Beaver aircraft. This is for Bob Kobzey’s sake as he is a good friend in Canada who restores these aircraft.

Departing Suva Suva

Has to dodge sailboats for takeoff

We were thrilled to finally have the time, energy and the weather to go for a long kayak yesterday.

This week will be bittersweet…..after a bit of a hassle, we found a lawyer so that we could complete our statutory declaration for Kylie and Taylor, swearing that their relationship is authentic, so that Kylie can apply for her permanent Australian citizenship. Pretty sad doing this, but very happy that they are so happy together.

On October 28^th, it will be the first anniversary of Peter’s Dad’s death. We are still so grateful we could be with him and the family for so long last year to be able to say goodbye and thank him for the wonderful life he led and the legacy he left by being such a good example of a hard-working and loving family man. In memory of Erich I’m including the lyrics of the song he picked for his memorial service.

A Tree and Me

Please no cold headstone for me

I’d rather plant a sapling tree

And lay my ashes ‘neath it’s foot

So through my body it takes root

Then as the seasons come and go

My monument and I will grow

Wave bright green flags at summer sky

And harbor birds that happen by

The bronze each autumn bloom would spring

And wear the white coats winter’s bring

A tree I marry with my dust

Will husband me with rooted thrust

Our seed will scatter far and wide

‘Cross God’s fertile countryside

So an arbor family will share our immortality

A tree and me.

In June of this year, we had a family ceremony planting a tree in his beloved Bronte, Ontario in sight of the sailboats and the lake he loved so much.

Erich’s urn (which he made as perfectly as he did everything else) & plaque

The family with the tree

Peter helping his Mom spread Erich’s ashes

Erich had told us for the last six years that he loves that we are out here sailing and fulfilling a dream. He always said “never wait – do it now”. This always meant a lot to us. Sending you our love from Fiji. May you rest in peace.