En route to Lifou
15 June 2008 | Loyaute Passage
John and Shauna
Having cleared Customs Friday we went to the fresh market to stock up on fresh produce, went to the supermarket, and had an early night. We were up at about 05:30 to shower and then went over to the fuel dock to get our duty free diesel at around 06:30. "Obelia" followed us and we were both off together for the South, to bring us around the bottom end of the island to exit North via Havannah Passage. We pulled in overnight at Rade de l'Est, long enough before sunset to squeeze in a brisk hike up to the lighthouse which is the main light guiding vessels in and out of Havannah Passage. It was sad to see that there were shards of broken bottle glass all over the summit; as the only people who do, in fact can, visit the site means that fellow yachties are probably responsible for blighting an otherwise beautiful spot. We exited Havannah Passage over a two hour period on the second half of a falling tide - the outgoing tide exits via the Passage, so we had a whole lot of water rushing out with us through a narrow pass, making for fast, exciting but demanding sailing. The wind had pretty much fizzled out tonight - it's 18:30 and we have been motoring for some time - but at least it's not a gale! We are making for We Harbour on the island of Lifou in the Loyalty group, hoping to get there mid-morning tomorrow. Dinner's on, so we'll leave you!