Wally the WAHOO
We only stayed in Port Vila for three days. This was a busy time as we stocked up on food & water and did some sightseeing as well. Paul explored most, revisiting haunts from his first visit 20 or so years ago. We managed to get a spare propellor for the outboard as the we had damaged ours a little in Tanna. probably won't need it but who knows?
On the last afternoon, we hired a catamaran and kayak for some exploring.
We had wanted to sail to Epi in the North before a North Easterly wind change arrived. However, it was too far before the expected change, so we headed for a small island called Nguna at the top of Efate.
All went well at the start as we headed North through the area where most of the big game boats troll. One of them cut across our bows (not too badly) and headed up the coast. Shortly after, we hooked an excellent Wahoo (we named him "WALLY"). Wally was 15Kg and 1.35 metres long. That's a reasonable fish!
An hour or two later, we were almost becalmed when "whoosh", in came the NorEaster at around 30kts. About 15hrs early. It was then hard work tacking all the way up the Coast of Efate to our eventual anchorage. Every time we tacked, Wally slid across the cockpit floor into peoples' legs. The only good thinga bout the occasional waves over the side were that (a) they kept the fish cool and (b) they washed away the latest lots of blood.
Our Nguna anchorage was ill-protected from the wind and swell direction so we needed the rocker stoppers, which made things far more bearable. David cut up the fish and our fridge was full with the 11Kg or so of fish fillets PLUS rump and veal purchased in Vila. Let's see, now we have 11 fish meals and five meat ones....
Thursday was rough with winds to 40kts. We dragged anchor but then it got under a rock ledge and we were secure again. Paul and WIll went swimming. Paul made it to shore and was soon seen chatting with a bunch of local kids. It looked too difficult to get the rubber ducky ashore, so Penny & Dave remained on board reading and doing other general jobs.
Friday, we planned to head off for the 55NM trip to Epi. We were looking forward to GOOD weather- for a change- having had mediocre, cloudy, squally weather since a day before we reached Tanna.
Best Wishes,
The Crew
