Laying Your Limes on the Line

A vigorous overnight passage from Ouvea saw us arrive 'on schedule' for a 10 am anchoring. The Bloke's idea of leaving Ouvea at 4pm instead of stupid o'clock that night provided the luxury of a dusk exit on an outward tide from the lagoon followed by a slow start Eastwards.


We hadn't really guessed on the early part of the passage being so slow to start. Overnight - 29nm in the first 12 hours but we both got some sleep and we didn't get cranked up until about the time we'd originally planned to leave. So with 29nm to the good we just got faster and faster until we needed to slow the boat down! This gave a smoother ride as well as ensuring that our arrival into an uncertain anchorage would occur during the daylight. Really - 8-9 knots SOG (speed over ground) is bone jarring!

Dusk

Along the way at 11 pm an AiS target appeared. A sailing vessel called Risky Business. They were motoring north into a headwind. We were sailing east on a beam reach. It was 23 minutes before we'd likely collide. The sea-state pushed our headings this way and that. We radioed on channel 16 to check they could see us. They didn't seem to be adjusting their course and frustratingly they were not responding to any of our radio calls. Eventually, within 1 nm we shone our spotlight on our sails, started our motor in case we needed to take evasive action and then shone the spotlight on Risky Business. Happily they responded with a flash or two back. Great news they could see us. What was a bit disturbing is their choice to speed up and cross right in front of us - inside 200m. Risky Business indeed!

Dawn

Except for the growing sea-state, the Risky Business encounter was the most excitement the night would deliver. By dawn we were sailing past the southern end of Tanna and being entertained by breaching whales closer to shore.

Vanuatu landfall

We checked our waypoints on entry to Port Resolution by doing a couple of donuts outside the anchorage. We were watched on AIS by friends of Debbie and Matt (La Jorja) and received a welcoming and informative radio call from Ann and Cran from Lettin' Go. 24 other yachts were already in the bay, most as part of a rally organised by the Island Cruising Association.

The joy of dropping anchor following a passage and then having an 'anchor dram' is something you can photograph. It is then followed by a deep and motionless sleep. As a rule. But today we had a diversion.


Anchoring was straightforward. Water depth of 4m in volcanic mud. Holding seems good even if the swell works it's way in. Nice looking surroundings and local men in dugout canoes fishing here and there. We hadn't counted on an early visitor. The locals appear very friendly. They waive and smile as they do so. A charming change.

Imagine our surprise though when a man in a dugout canoe paddled up and asked to hold onto our boat. His grin was bigger that a Cheshire cat's. Would we like some limes he asked. No charge. In exchange could we charge his mobile phone and spare battery?
Done deal. He'll paddle back after lunch to collect his kit. The juxtaposition of technologies is hilarious.





Gin and tonic tonight is going to be very aromatic with these little beauties.

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