25 days at sea
We forgot to tell you about the Englishman in the small yacht. We won't mention his name. He left NZ expecting to get the usual SE Trade Winds in this part of the world. He had seemed unaware of all those nasty lows sweeping across NSW every few days. He was actually heading for Australia but ended up here instead. We heard him asking for permission from Noumea Radio to anchor but they refused. He must have been so tired after 25 days of pounding seas and adverse winds. His wife had already flown to Australia to await him.
Noumea Radio were otherwise very good to him, patching him through from his radio to NZ and Australia so he could tell people he was safe (he has no long distance radio) and all that at no charge.
When we last saw him, his wife had joined him. We hope he gets a look at some good long range forecasts before setting off (planned Sunday) as when he is planning to leave is the next big swag of unpleasant Westerly winds- if he left, he might end up in PNG or the Solomons. In contrast, a French boat came in while we were there. Sailed by a man and his one-legged wife. They have sailed from France and already visited 35 countries. They waited 6 weeks before leaving NZ and also did not make Australia when the winds went around to the West but at least they got to New Caledonia in 7 days rather than 25!
Dave & Penny
