End of May

1 litre French rose wine from supermarket on left $3 =300pf. About 100 pf = $1. so they basically work money in cents not dollars

These markets are open every day and are right next to marina

Fresh veg every night with dinner, raining and windy but warm. Stuck in marina till weather changes, probably another few days so will go to aquarium tomorrow

Our friend!, speaks aussie, fresh croissants every morning with coffee 

This sign is on ladies amenities, you go down a hallway with men's on left before ladies. The sign says at the bottom, that if couples want to shower together to use the men's showers! Oh! the French lol. Might I add the toilets are the cleanest I have ever seen.

Have arrived!

Left marina Thursday morning, got to Gold Coast seaway around 2.30pm, 132 hours later arrived Noumea " Wed morning". Actually could have come in sooner but needed to get to marina around 9am to do check in  with customs, quarantine etc . Had a great sail with gentle seas and swell, light to moderate westerlies all the way. Got warmer each day, thought it would have been chilly like Brissy but no, its 5.30pm actually 6.30pm here and we have the fan going, sea temp about 24c, have to change clothing in wardrobe around! Did not wear my off shore jacket at all! The staff at the marina here are very friendly and helped with our lines at berthing. We had to buy the special fittings for the elec and water in marina, it worked out about $14 which Simon thought was cheap for what we got compared to prices in Aus. Will be here for about a month exploring Islands and Bays before heading off. Friday 23rd , Went to super market after immigration and walk around town. Moet around $60, Sara would you believe lambrusco is about $15 a bottle. I got a 1 litre juice box looking container that was Dry Rose for $3.50, even comes in poppa size boxes and in white and red wine, I thought it was juice but Simon read alcohol content. Supermarket has groceries, alcohol, clothes, large cheese, fish, and meat section, so will be easy to stock up before going to Islands. 

Calm seas all the way, fish jumping but not onto hook

Wash day at sea

Went forward on a calm afternoon and we discovered 7 of these flying fish. Don't know how long they were there but they were pretty dried!

Approaching Noumea

At the markets

Locals dancing 

Marina through foggy lens!" fingerprint"

Last Good bye's

Had a great bbq night" many happy drinks had" at Mark & Sue's with John, Sara, David & Rose. Sara made us a lovely Happy Sailing cheese cake. We are back on the Yacht & will be leaving early Thursday as customs busy tomorrow, which means we can take our time putting away last minute stuff .

READY TO LEAVE FOR NEW CALEDONIA AND VANUATU

Getting ready for this trip seemed to go very smoothly! I remembered a sunny day last year shopping that turned to rain as we headed back to marina. For those land lubbers following us, imagine a car boot full of food and trying to get it from the car park down the walkway along the fingers to the yacht, then getting it down companion way " stairs" to galley " kitchen" in the rain lol!" Lots of soggy packaging". Went prepared this time with dry bags " large heavy waterproof bags" Murphy's Law, no rain. Have the yacht well stocked now, lots of tin potatoes, salmon, mushrooms, corn, peas, beans, rice, pasta,  corn beef, fruit, baked beans, tomatoes, etc. Jar garlic, olives & chillies, biscuits, cordial, mixers for drinks, pringels " heard they are about $15 a pkt in the Pacific", chocolate, pkt cake mixes, sugar,  flour, yeast, flat breads etc. Have yoghurt maker and soda stream, make our own bread & pizzas in our gas oven. Have the head " bathroom" well stocked.We would normally have lots of  fresh fruit, cheese, salami, nuts,  meat and milk but cannot take it overseas , so will buy there if not to expensive. Looking forward to French coffee,cheese, bread, pastries and wine in New Caledonia, Yum!
 Simon has been busy today doing oil change on our inboard diesel perkins engine and filling jerry cans. We have a 300 litre fuel tank and will carry extra 120 litres. Yacht uses about 3 litres an hour when motoring " 0 when we have wind". We have a 300 litre water tank and also a water maker, so fresh water is no problem.