[password]zmh286 [position] 22 39.55 167 26.377 [status] Waiting at Isle de Pins for departure weather. Unpleasant at the moment with a front going through but the guru says tomorrow will be better. A quote interesting tactical passage end quote. Translated I think that means we will be going different directions each day due the high, then low and front, then high. We have pressure to return unfortunately as I am enjoying the temperatures here. We have wifi via i-net at this point which is out from the restaurant at the resort. It is weak and on and off but at least something.

[password] poohbear12

[status]

:position 36 25.5009s 174 49.5024e

:date 11/1/2014

Stopover in Shark Bay, Kawau for night.

[status]

:position 35 00.2748s 173 43.8010e

date: 6/1/2014

Anchored in Waitepipi Bay. Lovely sheltered bay. Took dinghy ride around edge of harbour. Found DOC hut with walkway beside up to Dukes Nose. This is a good walk with stunning views, but, the last part of the walk is hand over hand chains. We didn't do this part up to bluff but the views we had were stunning enough.

[walking]

[password] zara1010

[position]22 00.559s 165 58.028e

[status] Making way back to Noumea for dept to NZ in the next week or so

[speed] 6.5

[heading] 135T

[weather] 12knts SSW. Flat seas. Fluffy clouds. Bright sky and great vis for reef spotting whilst sailing

Managing to head to where we want to go for first time since we left Poum at the NW tip - feels great.
Next to Tenia (marine reserve) had a close look at a large dugong surfacing to breathe, then he dived down to feed again, mermaid tail going high above the water.

[END]

[password]zmh286
[position]22 21.116s 166 58.118E

[status]
officially on our way back to NZ as we have checked out. Currently in Port Boise as they have internet at the resort - and great curried shrimps from Dumbea! 11m good holding, little jiggly at hi tide. Tomorrow to Isle de Pins and Sunday to Norfolk.

[weather]
NNE 15

[END]

[password] godd
[status]
:position 22 16.617s 166 26.396e
Port Mosselle, Noumea.
cleared and now waiting for window.
--

[END]

[password] zara1010 :position 21 46.67s 165 45.50e [status] We are now back to lagoon sailing - just as well as the impact of the waves on Friday caused a swage (rigging fitting) to fail. We are just replacing it with a spliced length of Spectra rope - lets hope we followed the instructions properly. We're far into the bay here and were heading to the anchor spot when I spotted a dark body just under the surface - another dugong? I turned Roxi for a better look - no, nor a dolphin it didn't come up to breathe, then I saw a vertical tail with dark tip.

[password] zara1010 :position 21 46.67s 165 45.50e [status] We are now back to lagoon sailing - just as well as the impact of the waves on Friday caused a swage (rigging fitting) to fail. We are just replacing it with a spliced length of Spectra rope - lets hope we followed the instructions properly. We're far into the bay here and were heading to the anchor spot when I spotted a dark body just under the surface - another dugong? I turned Roxi for a better look - no, nor a dolphin it didn't come up to breathe, then I saw a vertical tail with dark tip.

[password] zara1010 [position]21 21.21s 164 59.2e [status] Still anchored at in Grimault, lovely warm water for swimming, no vis for snorkeling. Managed to create a repair to the snapped stanchion using our cockpit table leg. Hope wind and waves lessen for Monday so we should leave for our next stop tomorrow. Towards the top of New Caledonia the scenery was reminiscent of desert mountains in Morocco, or somewhere equally arid, the colours of the mountain range hues of ochre, rust and brown - when set against the brilliant turquoise of the lagoon it was stunning.