Cap Ndoua lighthouse

We made contact with our friends from Edindurgh, Scotland, David and Mary on the British boat "Giselle of Argylle" on VHF this morning and proceeded to Rade de l'Est still in Baie du Prony where they were anchored. We decided to climb to the lighthouse which marks the western end of the Passe de Havannah and which gave us an excellent view of the Pass which we will be negotiating when we leave for Vanuatu. Looks like a piece of cake from a 189 metre altitude but the reality is that one needs primarily to time the tide correctly as it runs strongly in both directions through the Pass which is about 7 miles long. There are nasty seas generated in the entrance if there is wind against tide so we will be paying particular attention to the tide tables. However, the moon isn't the only influence; there is also atmospheric pressure and the pressure of seas coming in from the SW where there is no reef which means they have to find an outlet through the Pass. All makes life very tricky and has been the subject of much discussion between us and David and Mary.
While up at the lighthouse we spoke to two young lady whale researchers who were there to spot Humpback whales coming through the southern New Caledonia lagoon. They had a theodolite connected to a laptop computer which they used to calculate the whales' position as they passed through. One of them spoke excellent English and gave us very interesting information about the whales' migratory habits. They come up here from Antartica to give birth and to mate again. Apparently the whales that come here are a different group from those that go to other areas such as Tonga or Australia and they always return to the same place each year. After giving birth the mothers wait until the calves are strong enough to make the journey back south to much colder waters. Nature in all its manifestations is truly awesome to behold.
Tomorrow we are heading back in the direction of Noumea (about 25 miles) and intend to spend the night at Ilot Maitre about 3 miles from Noumea where there is a resort and restaurant!! They have mooring buoys which are available for private boats to moor to. This prevents damage to the coral from anchors contacting the sea floor. Then back to Noumea to provision for the 200 mile passage to Vanuatu. More weather window watching but nowhere so difficult as leaving NZ!!!
Watch this space.
LOts of love from J & G

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