Fwd: Discovery

>
> Hi All,
> 23/8/2012
> Position 14:00 UTC +12 21°14.9650S 174°21.4700E
> I had ideas of diverting straight to Brisbane, but fuel calculations and
> weather forecasts don't give much margin. So discretion is the better part
> of valour and we are going on to Noumea to get fuel and weather forecast. We
> don't want to run into a 'Southerly Buster'. It sounds like the east coast
> of SA when the wind is against the current.
> 24/8/2012
> Position 14:00 UTC +12 21°37.1090S 172°02.2247E
> Wind gusting up 23knots with a very uncomfortable sea. I thought we were in
> the tropics and therefore it would be nice and warm – we go on watch with
> all the warm clothes we have plus foulies – but then it is winter!!!
> 25/8/2012
> Position 14:00 UTC +12 21°55.9225S 170°03.3942E
> Nice sunny day, the wind has dropped and the sea is relatively flat, but
> still a chill in the air.
> 26/8/2012
> Position 14:00 UTC +12 22°10.6971S 168°18.7306E
> Woke to rain squalls and an overcast sky and not much wind, which has now
> backed so we are a starboard gybe. Only the genny up and the motor going to
> keep our speed down so that we arrive tomorrow morning at 06:00 at the
> entrance to Hananvah Chanel. Don't fancy dodging the reefs in the dark.
> 27/8/2012
> Position Port Moselle Marina, Noumea, New Caledonia
> We made it – hit the entrance to Havannah Channel at 06:00 in the company of
> a cargo ship – Polarstream. I was not sure what to expect of the channel,
> but after seeing a 500ft ship in front all doubts disappeared. We motored
> the channel through a rain storm and not much wind and arrived at Port
> Moselle at 12:25 local time (UTC +11). A very pleasant young lady booked us
> in, so now we can shower and use a fantastic WiFi.
> Tomorrow early I will book out – immigration, customs, port captain – then
> take diesel and set off for Brisbane.
>
> What a pleasure to have a good hot shower!!!!
> Cheers
>
> Chris
>