Noumea

We have been in Noumea now for 5 days and are enjoying the local life. It rained for the first 3 and has only lately cleared. It is a beautiful day today with a 10 knot SE and clear skies. We are sitting in the marina cafe which is a Wifi hotspot (free if you buy coffee or whatever) and enjoying the ambience.

The local food market operates daily until 1200 and has food to die for. Especially the seafood. Jim has never had so much Tuna Sashimi!! And Perrier Menthes in the cafe. We are doing most of our eating on board because the local cafes are very expensive and generally the food is quite poor. But with fresh food from the market - pates, salamis, hams, fruit and beautiful fresh vegetables - not to mention the aforementioned seafood - ooh la la!!

We cannot get onto Sailmail on the boat here in the marina because of very poor reception so please excuse us if we don't acknowledge any emails sent there for a few days. However, we will keep trying and may get through if the propogation improves.

Thinking of hiring a car and going up the island (400 kms long) in a few days then we will go down to the Isle of Pines. After that we will leave here for the Loyalty Islands and Vanuatu.

Hope all is well and will be in touch again soon.

Lots of love

Jim and Jean