We left the Marina with a loud toot and lots of friendly Frenchies on other boats waving & calling out "Bon Chance" & "Bon Voyage" etc. It's quite comical to me how French French people are, but I suppose they've grown up that way. They really were very friendly, once we got over the flag difficulties. We wanted to get into that nice fat H on the weather chart. But to do so meant leaving New Caledonia, and a big high like that has a strong wind band up the top of it, which we were heading right into. A boisterous start to the journey. But good progress made, with very little sail. It's so great having crew this time. Xanthe is a superstar. She really is a very accomplished sailor, the first one that Brigadoon has seen for some time. Ray had a more subdued start, not feeling that flash - but he's a stalwart character and has done all his shifts well. And seems brighter now. And Jack is a wee champion! To see her steering confidently in these conditions, giving tips to us others, I sometimes wonder if it's the same Jack Harris or if some little sailorwoman has taken over her body, a la Hollywood. The good thing is that the wind is due E this time, so we can get a good angle on it. A flying start. All good! (Apart from some regurgitation going on.)

See our position on the map.

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