Chesterfield Reef

Colin and Sandy Cruising with Papillon
On route to Australia via Chesterfield Reef
04h30 UTC 29 October
Course: °
Distance covered last 24hrs until 01h00 GMT: 169nm
Distance to Chesterfield: 0 nm
Position 19°52' S 158°27' E Anchored
All's well on board.

Another good run and we got to the Reef at around 13h00 (02h00 UTC/GMT). We approached our waypoint for entering the reef and there was nothing to see. Shortly afterwards the depth meter registered the bottom and it zoomed from 180m to 28m all in a short distance. At least we knew we had arrived even though we saw nothing. Only after motor sailing in another 4-5 miles did we finally see any of the islands. They are very flat and only raise a few meters above sea level. We finally motored upwind to the anchorage all in deep water 30-40m and only a few bombies once we reached the shallower water where we anchored.. There is one other boat here and we anchored about 100m behind them. It is a choppy anchorage as the wind (SE) is blowing parallel to the islands and has a fairly long fetch. We pitched the pick over the side in about 9-10m with plenty of chain. The bottom is sandy as are the islands and we seem to have good holding here. We may dump the dinghy over the side later on especially if the wind dies down a little. The islands are loaded with birds and by this evening when all those who are out at sea feeding return it will be quite spectacular. Tomorrow we will definitely go and explore. Right now time to catch up on some rest. Till next time

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Nearing Chesterfield Reef

Colin and Sandy Cruising with Papillon
On route to Australia via Chesterfield Reef
02h00 UTC 28 October
Course: 246°
Distance covered last 24hrs until 01h00 GMT: 135nm
Distance to Chesterfield: 127 nm(at 07h30 utc)
Position 19°15' S 160°28' E
All's well on board.

We have had a good days sailing and are trying to keep our speed up to 6kn so that we will arrive tomorrow afternoon at Chesterfield Reef. We do not want to be too late as we have 7nm to negotiate along the inside of the reef to the anchorage. The wind has strengthened a little but has gone more to the south making it a close reach and a little bumpy. If necessary we will motor to keep up our speed if the wind drops. It would be nice if it were to go a little more to the east.
Otherwise all's going well

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Halfway to Chesterfield Reef

Colin and Sandy Cruising with Papillon
On route to Australia via Chesterfield Reef
02h00 UTC 27 October
Course: 262°
Distance covered last 24hrs until 01h00 GMT: 141nm
Distance to Chesterfield: 296 nm
Position 18°40' S 163°22' E
All's well on board.

We left Port Vila on a beautiful morning and a good breeze. Once out in the open ocean we have had a 2m swell/chop with the winds varying a little but mostly behind us from the east. At times we have sailed at 7-8kns and then the wind goes light again and we drop off to 4-5kn. At the moment we are passing through "Grand Passage" to the north of New Caledonia, which also marks our halfway point to Chesterfield reef. The sea is supposed to flatten off a little as we get out on the other side for a short while before a southerly swell pushes into the area for the next few days. We are looking forward to Chesterfield Reef as we have received some lovely feedback on the birdlife there. The actual islands are small compared to the reef system, but there is a good anchorage near one of these islands. There is a weather station on the one island but otherwise the islands are deserted. The plan is to stay for 3-4 days and then leave - as long as we have a good weather window - for our last leg to Bunderberg that is 440 nm further west.
Here is a story for you as found on the notice board at the Royal Suva Yacht Club and corrupted by my memory....
These two sharks are swimming along and come across some survivors of a ship that sunk. The younger shark wants to rush in and grab a feed but his dad holds him back and tells him not to rush. First we swim around them a few times with our fins just showing he tells his son. Then we swim around them with all of our fins showing. After we have done that we will rush in and eat them all. The little shark still looking a little confused wanted to know why he could not just rush straight in. Ah said his father.... they taste much better with no shit inside!!!
With that we will say bye till next time

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THe last leg to Australia

It's time to move on again, sadly for the last time on this trip as we head off to Australia tomorrow(Tuesday). With the cyclone season peeping around the corner it's time to run and hide somewhere further south. We have thoroughly enjoyed Port Vila as well as our trip around the west coast of the island. The people have been great and the bays and anchorages quiet and secure. Even the fishing here has been good. We have 580nm to Chesterfield reef and should be there in five days. We will stay there for a few days and do the last 440nm as soon as we get a good window to do so. The winds and seas seem reasonably good for this passage but we have found that what you see on the gribs can be far from what we get.
So we will write again soon as we run down to the top of New Caledonia and through the Grand Passage. Till then...

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Port Vila (on the island of Efate); Vanuatu

We have arrived in the lovely little port of Port Vila in Vanuatu. We had the bio security official come out to us and give us our clearance to go ashore and to complete Immigration and customs. However, we will go back to yesterday... after a night of motoring we started sailing and the wind built up slowly. After leaving such a stinky carbon footprint in our wake the wind decided to do some cleaning out and blow it away. We had the wind on the beam and reached all afternoon and night at 7-8kn. Talk about making up time! Needless to say by nightfall we were having a wild theme park ride so we move a mattress back to the floor near the mast to find a little less motion and hopefully some sleep. Early dawn showed the outline of Efate on our starboard side and the moon setting on the bow... pretty cool... as we surfed along. We lost a big fish when the boat rounded up while Colin was just starting to get some line back. As the boat went about we wrapped the line around the bow. Sadly the prop had the last word by cutting the line and the fish lived for another day. Hey, but the beef on the islands is supposed to be the best in the Pacific... hopefully we will get some as most of it is exported to Japan. So by 09:00 we were anchored in the Quarantine area and ashore for lunch. The town is very nice and there is plenty to see and do. So a few days here and around the island, mostly the west and north west coast and then back here to wait for a good weather window... or maybe just go as it does not seem to make much difference. So till later...

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Better winds

Colin and Sandy Cruising with Papillon
On route to Port Vila; Vanuatu
16h30 UTC 13 October
Course: 262°
Distance covered last 24hrs until 24h00 GMT: 124nm
Distance to Suva: 131 nm
Position 17°58' S 170°23' E
All's well on board.

Talk about leaving a large carbon footprint in the middle of the ocean. In the last 24hrs the wind did not fill in until this morning so we motored all night. The sea was like glass and we only had a little drizzle and a full moon so it was a pleasant watch for the whole night. This must be the most diesel that we have used on one passage so far in the Pacific. Early this morning the wind filled in from the south and we managed 2-3 kn for about two hours until the wind picked up to around 12 kn. We are on a broad reach and making between 6-8kn. If this wind holds... please, please, please! then we should get in tomorrow at lunch time. Customs etc close at four and only open again on Monday so we really need to get signed in. Decided to try for some fish for supper so we dropped a line in and lost one and got one all within an hour. It was a small skipjack just perfect for two. Tomorrow well will try again and as we are heading to port will take what comes along... it's nice to share with others sitting on anchor.
So here's hoping the weather stays as it is, the gribs say it will turn a little more to the east, but that's fine. Till next time...

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Heading for Vanuatu slowly

Colin and Sandy Cruising with Papillon
On route to Port Vila; Vanuatu
16h30 UTC 12 October
Course: 262°
Distance covered last 24hrs until 23h00 GMT: 81nm
Distance to Suva: 259 nm
Position 18°15' S 172°35' E
All's well on board.

Planning for a trip... well at least looking for the best option for it. We tried our best BUT... Well we have had it all. We were going to leave on the Thursday but a weather system moved down from the north and cancelled that. So being a weekend with a holiday attached on Monday we decided to finally sign out but did not leave as we waited for a better weather window and left on the Sunday. It rained a little on the way out but the evening was pleasant and the wind light until we finally cranked up the diesel sail and motored through to the morning. At eight it all began to change with a northerly wind that would wind up to gale force (force7/35kn). The seas climbed to 3-4m and were very steep and breaking. With wet deck we ploughed on and by three it started to subside and we had a pleasant night doing 2-3 knots in a steady north wind of 5-8kn. Yesterday morning was like glass and later we had some rain squalls (tons of water) with winds from the west... guess which way we are going... but again had a pleasant night. Today it started off with no wind and then we had the wind turn 180deg and blast us from the south at 20kn. And has now settled to a light wind from the ENE. We were hoping to get in on Thursday but it looks like we will be lucky to get there by Friday and it's more likely that we will arrive on Saturday to Port Vila. Some of this weather was on the cards but it has been frustrating trying to point the boat in the right direction and keep it moving. Otherwise life goes on, looking at places still to visit, books to be read and food to be done.... till next time.....

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Heading for Vanuatu slowly

Colin and Sandy Cruising with Papillon
On route to Port Vila; Vanuatu
16h30 UTC 12 October
Course: 262°
Distance covered last 24hrs until 23h00 GMT: 81nm
Distance to Suva: 259 nm
Position 18°15' S 172°35' E
All's well on board.

Planning for a trip... well at least looking for the best option for it. We tried our best BUT... Well we have had it all. We were going to leave on the Thursday but a weather system moved down from the north and cancelled that. So being a weekend with a holiday attached on Monday we decided to finally sign out but did not leave as we waited for a better weather window and left on the Sunday. It rained a little on the way out but the evening was pleasant and the wind light until we finally cranked up the diesel sail and motored through to the morning. At eight it all began to change with a northerly wind that would wind up to gale force (force7/35kn). The seas climbed to 3-4m and were very steep and breaking. With wet deck we ploughed on and by three it started to subside and we had a pleasant night doing 2-3 knots in a steady north wind of 5-8kn. Yesterday morning was like glass and later we had some rain squalls (tons of water) with winds from the west... guess which way we are going... but again had a pleasant night. Today it started off with no wind and then we had the wind turn 180deg and blast us from the south at 20kn. And has now settled to a light wind from the ENE. We were hoping to get in on Thursday but it looks like we will be lucky to get there by Friday and it's more likely that we will arrive on Saturday to Port Vila. Some of this weather was on the cards but it has been frustrating trying to point the boat in the right direction and keep it moving. Otherwise life goes on, looking at places still to visit, books to be read and food to be done.... till next time

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Heading for Vanuatu

Time to move on. We have had a good but wet stay in Suva and leave today for Vanuatu. It is a pity that we have so little time left as it is already the 9th of October. The weather ahead for the next few days is varied with heavy showers and light winds. The grib files change by the day so who knows what we will get. It's just less than 600 miles to Port Vila and we are hoping to get there by Friday. There are still so many places to go to but we have to cut them out of our schedule as we stay longer somewhere else. We have booked into the marina at Mooloolaba from the first of December and will more than likely leave Bunderberg around the 20th November and head down via Tin Can Bay where we spend some time before the trip down to Mooloolaba. We are still planning to arrive around the 7th November in Bunderberg. So that's the basic plan and we will fill in the details as we go.

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