Noumea arrival
24 May 2009 | Port Moselle
Windy with showers
Port Moselle
New Caledonia
Bonjour from a sunny New Caledonia.
We arrived at Passes de Boulari at around 5.30 yesterday afternoon, we had an hour until sunset to get through and anchored at Ilot Amedee. By 6.30, cold beer in hand, we relaxed in the cockpit enjoying the last of the suns rays.
6days, 4hours, from Opua to Amedee. A quick trip, not very comfortable, not much sun, but we got here safe and sound. No scones this time, Dave. This trip was more of a come cruising with the Wards and loose weight. Mainly soup for 3 days and when we decided to cook up a good feed yesterday a 40-45 knot front decided to pass over us on its way south. Bacon, eggs and tomatoes cooked in the oven is pretty tasty, with a bit of juggling in the gusts I can proudly say not a drop fell on the floor, a few near misses though. The lift up oven door handle is just at the same height as my hips so even during calm times knocking it can mean everything inside the oven is in danger of landing on the floor. So with waves sloshing on the galley port, falling onto the door handle happens. The vision of lunch on the floor and burnt feet (legs protected by wet, wet weather overalls) kept me dancing around our small galley. An extra catch is on the to do list.
Just after lunch we could see the clouds breaking up way ahead, then the sun appeared, the wind died to a manageable 20 knots, in the lee of the reef the troughs smoothed we could see the Amedee light, our anchorage for the night. With the wind dying further we then were in danger of not making the entrance in daylight, so on went the motor the promise of a hot shower and full night sleep was to good to miss.
Jim has a few more bruises than he wants, this was not really a good first time off shore trip, but he is still smiling.
Trev our personal weather man kept us up to date with systems, our fourth crew member albeit painting away in Auckland. Thanks for the rugby scores too TB, Go the Chiefs.
Noumea looks much the same as when we were here in 2005, as soon as the officials have been we might go for a walk and have a closer look. That is after the wash down, washing the coats, lifejackets etc , the laundry, ....... All part of the lifestyle.
Been in Noumea a day now, some things stay the same...the whiff from the street drains after rain is still present, the wonderful bakery is still producing delicious pastries and crispy baguettes. Some changes as well, there is now a 12 theatre cinema across from the marina and judging from the crowd last night it's the place to be on Sunday night. The golden arches of MacD's is pulling in the crowds, the drive in line was half a mile long last night. Noumea is essentially still a delightful place to visit.