Maintenance at Koumac NC

David has been helpful in discussing methods of poling out the headsails and, while we have been reluctant to do this sailing in confined waters and shorthanded, we now have a workable system. During this process we noticed that the Genoa had the beginnings of a tear along a line of stitching and so we started by asking Phillippe if we could borrow his sewing machine to fix it but he offered to do the job on his boat. So we took the Genoa off the forestay and he took it away. In the meantime we went into town again for a last topping up of provisions and to buy some presents for Phillippe and Jocelyne and the children for helping us out. We bought some wine and cheese and for the children some books, colouring pencils etc. Also a copy of "Treasure Island" ("Isle de Tresor") all in French for when they are a little older.
Had dinner at Skippers Restaurant last night again and today have been finishing off the sail repairs by hand - which is s job pushing the thick needle through several layers of sailcloth and the canvas anti UV strip down the side of the sail. However, we eventually finished and then hoisted it back up the forestay. Then re-sorting the stowage area under the forrard bunk again (always a mission) because we wanted to get out the items we have for giveaways to local villages. Most of it had been destined for Vanuatu but now we will present it to the chiefs of villages in the far north (Isles Belep) and no doubt at places on the east coast. The custom is to make a formal visit to the local chiefs as a courtesy in order to make contact for on-going contacts/bartering etc.
Now a siesta, then a walk and a quiet night in before finally taking our leave of Koumac early tomorrow morning. We will need to pay a visit to the fuel dock on our way out and then will head for Poum (30 miles north) but we may spend a night on the way in Baie Tanle which has a choice of good anchorages.
One thing which must be mentioned - on our trips into town and back to the marina (a 45 min walk) we have become quite adept at hitch hiking. Something Jim has never done before in his life but he has a good teacher in Gina!! The locals are very friendly and usually there is no shortage of offers of rides. Yesterday for example we were given a lift by a very pleasant guy who spoke good English and who turned out to be the local director of an Australian company which leases heavy equipment (eg. 60 ton dump trucks) to the local mining industry. He was from Noumea and was staying with relatives at the marina while up here on business.
There is absolutely no doubt that this cruising life definitely lends itself to the meeting of all sorts of people, sometimes in the most unlikely of places. That's one of the main attractions for us.
Keep watching this space!!!!!!
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com

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