[password] Cowboys99
[status]
:position 23 41.36s 167 41.95e
Well it's been a couple of uneventful days - very little wind so motoring. Still motoring in fact. Of the 5.5 days it will likely take us to reach New Caledonia, it looks like we'll have spent 3 of them with the motor running, sigh! Still, we knew that before we left so can't complain.

We're motoring now in a light breeze in which we would otherwise sail, but there's a bit of a blow coming tonight/tomorrow and if we can keep our speed up, we'll be in New Cal - in nice protected spot - before it sets-in. So we'll motor-sail the last 100 miles and hope we beat the wind. Have to refill with diesel when we get there though - it's been an expensive trip fuel-wise!

Last night was something very special however. The absence of any wind for nearly two days left the sea surface mirror-smooth. The moon didn't come up until 2am or so, so it was very dark and there were no clouds. The stars were mind-boggling. Actually, double-mind-boggling since they were reflected perfectly off the surface of the sea. There was no horizon to be seen - the starry sky just continued downwards. We could have been flying through space with stars all around us. The only reminder that we were on the ocean (aside from the noise of the diesel engine) was the phosphoresence that illuminated the bow-wave we were creating as we pushed through the water. Like a spray of fairy-dust thrown out on each side of the boat, the sparkles could have been new stars being born. I've never seen anything quite like it - mind-blowing!

So another 50 miles to the Isle of Pines, then 50 miles from there to Baie De Prony where we're planning to ride out the wind at anchor and get some sleep. Thanks goodness I've been here before and know the route - the chart of New Caledonia is pretty intimidating what with all the reefs and islands spread around! We should be anchoring tonight all going well. Originally we'd planned to go straight to Noumea and take care of the administrative paperwork, but that would've meant riding-out the wind at sea. So we'll take a day-off and do it a day later.

Tony
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