We’re flying along towards Australia. The winds are still directly behind us, pushing our wing and wing sails. At this rate the GPS tells us we’ll be at the entrance to Bundaberg(Bundy) in just 2 more days. Our weather reports are very favorable too. Wow, we’re finally getting our downwind Coconut Milk Run.
Last night during my watch all hell broke loose though. Our main and very quiet autopilot, Alphie, was driving. He’s having a little problem turning to starboard. He had been doing OK with us catching it before any real problem happened. Then about 10:00 last night I didn’t correct the problem quick enough and we decided to switch to the other autopilot, the Autohelm. In the process we got turned around, the main got back winded and we had to motor around to get back on course. It was a very exciting few minutes with me driving, Gerard helping me, Susan setting the Autohelm and lots of confusion. The Autohelm is now driving just fine, but it’s a bit loud. So, today Gerard will try to fix Alphie.
Susan’s seasickness has passed. It’s the worst she’s seen on this trip and she even kept last night’s dinner down. The night before was a different story. We’re thinking it’s the green beans. The other time she got sick we had also had green beans with dinner. Needless to say, there won’t be any more green beans served on this passage.
The haricots verts (green beans) in Noumea were great. The French pick them small and saute them nicely. They’re on about every menu and very tasty.
Our last night in Noumea we went, for the third time, to La Chaumiere for dinner. Once again excellent. Gerard had tripe, I had the calamari, and Susan had the marlin. Even though there were many items I hadn’t tried yet, I again had the fish terrine to start. It was excellent. Gerard was full and didn’t want dessert, but it’s included. So, Susan and I ate ours and most of his creme brulee too. I was stuffed. It was the first time I had that “Thanksgiving full” feeling. It was a good send off for Noumea.
Well it looks like I’ll be to Australia in plenty of time to get to Sydney for my August 4th flight home. I may have time to stop for a night in Brisbane on my way too. Maybe a dive from Bundy? Marci and Steve arrive in Bundy on August 4th, and then Kirsten comes on the 10th. Susan’s looking forward both visits. She’s hoping to cruise up to the Whitsunday Islands. One of our neighbors in Noumea gave her a cruising guide to look at. It got her excited. They look amazing.
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