Friday 22 May 2015

Funny thing about that maligned rosy forecast from yesterday; it actually happened as everyone knew it wouldn't, providing a beautiful 30 hours of sailing. Made 161 NM, noon to noon, directly toward Noumea averaging 6.7 kts., but now, again as forecast, wind is backing, taking us west. Necessity to drive past, then tack up into the lagoon via Passe de Boulari will still allow arrival midday tomorrow. Regrettably there's no rush as, contrary to derelict published info, clearance will not be possible until Tuesday. Pshaw or stronger words to that effect. No worries though as, if winds allow, we will anchor off Ilot Maitre, which includes a marine preserve with good diving and a hotel with all amenities including restaurant and pool. This little patch of paradise is 3 NM from Noumea and officials are purportedly mellow about shore visits sans pratique (a little French lingo). Perhaps, after all, the pain du chocolat deficiency can be alleviated before onset of irreversible psychic damage.

Barring a hideously pear-shaped ending to this passage, it's been our best ever between New Zealand and the islands: no ugly weather, lots of good sailing, nothing seriously broken and shorter by 2 days than previous best, albeit over a bit shorter distance. Now if we can just avoid getting assailed for anticipated legal infractions by opprobrious, indecipherable French issued forth from infuriated immigration and quarantine officials and subsequently shot by gendarmes, we'll be laughin'.

Jack