Today we cut ourselves free from Port Moselle marina. Although it is nice to have the shore power feeding the batteries and unlimited good fresh water, along with wonderful neighbours on the dock, it really is not hard to leave Noumea. It stinks in the harbour, where the water is foul and fed by large storm-water drains which come in at the head of the bay. Everything is literally at least twice the price we would pay at home - although the range of goods is excellent. Additionally, there has been a series of industrial disputes around Noumea which have taken their toll on the atmosphere. Apparently a Government contract worker was sacked, or didn't have their contract renewed, last week before we arrived. This led to a general strike which lasted a day or two. Then after a brief respite, there was another general strike to protest the fact that the workers weren't going to be paid for the time they were on strike the first time. They were (mainly Kanaky people) all camped outside the main Government building, picnicking and playing Bob Marley really loudly, smoking ganja and drinking Hinano beer in prodigious quantities, having a ball really. One result of all this was that no garbage was collected for a week - and with the fish market just adjacent to the marina, you can imagine how that was after a few days! So we left this morning, heading South into the lagoon and will be traking a few days getting to Ile des Pins. We particularly sad to say farewell to Barry and Mags on the Contest 43 "JJ Moon", who have become good friends - we met them in Vanuatu last year and have had some really good times with them here. Mags is a generous and thoughtful hostess. We will also miss our dock neighbours Philibert and Stephanie Dussine and their young son. Stephanie and Phil were very helpful to us, driving us to get groceries in the suburbs when the main city supermarkets were "en greve" (on strike). Also, they performed a mission of mercy in helping us get the espresso machine fixed - a major crisis in the cruise! We left today at the same time as Bernie and Di on "First Light III", a Melbourne boat of Joe Adams design, like "Destiny", and we are tonight anchored together in Baie Uie - a beautiful bay well-protected from the prevailing winds, and with a coconut palm plantation at the head of the bay. We had a lovely walk with them up to the peak of a ridge behind the anchorage this afternoon, and will head around to Baie du Prony tomorrow. We'll probably stay there until Monday to let a strong South Easterly surge pass through over the weekend. We're well and happy, eating fantastic but outrageously-priced French food, "Destiny" is doing fine and we are in good company, but do miss everyone at home. Cheers to all. Us