More on Koumac

Our time has mostly alternated between the marina and the Foire site. Only about 30 mins walk and a fascinating glimpse into rural New Caledonian life. So much like NZ (with a French accent!!) with all the things you would see at an A & P Show. On Saturday morning we decided to walk into Koumac itself to purchase some provisions and that we did. Unfortunately whenever there is some event like the Foire being held over a weekend they prohibit the sale of alcohol so you can't even buy a bottle of wine at the supermarket from 1200 on Friday to am Monday. We just hoped that our supplies held out!!
Then in the afternoon we went back to the Foire specifically to see the Rodeo. Jean in particular was very keen because she recalled times at the Warkworth Rodeo where her brothers both rode - later Keith becoming a "pick up" rider which involves going alongside the bucking bronco after the bell has gone to drag the hapless rider off - if indeed he hadn't already been thrown off. Then there was "bull dogging" where a rider comes alongside a bull calf (who is usually quite angry!) and leaps off his horse onto the calf, grabs it by the horns and wrestles it onto its back. Very exciting, especially for Jim who had never seen a real live rodeo before but Jean felt a lot of it was fairly bland compared with what used to happen at Warkworth. Still, it was fascinating to see something like that on a tropical Pacific Island, although as we've said before this place is only barely tropical and has a very extensive pastoral infrastructure. Last night for instance we had invited David and Mary to dinner on board and planned to sit in the cockpit but it was too cold. We had spent about an hour smashing the shells of the crabs we had been given at Baie de Chasseloup. They had been thawing all day and we planned a crab salad but Jim didn't like the look of them. However, we prepared them and David and Mary pronounced them excellent. They arrived from the anchorage in their dinghy and tied up just astern of us. Fortunately they brought a bottle of wine because we were down to our last one. Jim and David discussed our method of poling out the headsails and sorted a few things out so we might feel a bit more confident of doing that because when navigating around coral in the lagoon one needs the ability to good rid of sails maybe in a hurry!
Very tired last night (Sunday) after all our fair-going and fell into bed. Going into Koumac today to try to obtain some LPG (the bottle fittings are all different) and more provisions - wine etc!! Probably leaving here tomorrow or Wed for further north. Poum will be the next stop about 30 miles further north. By then we will be getting close to the top of the island. We intend to go about 30 miles further north to les Isles Belep (still within the main lagoon) and then will be turning the corner to head south down the east coast.
Keep watching this space!
Cheers and lots of love
Jim and Jean (Gina)
P.S. Don't forget to visit the website www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com for ALL our fascinating adventures!!

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