Thursday July 10th
Well the weather turned in paradise! We watched a yacht drag it’s anchor twice in the bay at the Isle of Pins and almost drift ashore as the wind blew 35kts + onto a lee shore. The captain rose to the fore and offered assistance but none was required thankfully. Although as another yacht swung over our anchor in the dark we felt it was time to move out of harms way and anchored out, and had anchor watch overnight before sailing off to Yate 40nm the next morning with a much better weather forecast .We weaved our way all day through the reefs and lagoons and arrived here, dropped the anchor and did not had a ripple! Bastille day is celebrated this coming long weekend and so we felt we had to clear out of customs and immigration, so it was a short hitch hike ride with the rice and milk powder bags in the back of the pick up with 2 nice gents to the bus stop at 6.30 then a 2 hr trip over land via the hydro road which required some patient and skillful driving with the locals to Noumea, do the formalities and then return. Thankfully all went well as Noumea was gearing up for a big party, there were many Gendarmerie about!! As the locals were becoming patriotic this weekend Sam felt it was his duty to do the same and showered under the Aussie flag at the rear of the boat. I’m sure the locals were thrilled! Tomorrrow we sail north 42 nm to Ilot Toupeti where we will overnight for a sling shot sail to Ouvea the northern most island of the loyality Group.
Aarrhh fair winds!
Carol and Sam