Wednesday, October 26, 2011

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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