30 June 2013, Baie de Kuto, New Caledonia
Well, we’ve been Warrelled. Comprehensively. Very pleasant it was too; we’d thoroughly recommend it. It’s all a bit of a dreamy blur now – bubbles, baguettes and BBQs; cocktails, crabs and cavorting; stormy seas, slippery slopes and a hot spring spa…. And a donkey. Megan’s ‘Plan B’ for crossing the island, apparently, should her sea legs fail her. Or perhaps a cabin-boy comforter, Chris?
Donkeys like donuts, fortunately. And donut we did at 5 am, mid ocean, surrounded by reefs, a rainy squall and a wind that backed 90 degrees in seconds. Cabin-boy Chris was found in the wheelhouse turning in slow circles, pointing at a lighthouse, muttering darkly. Capt. Ken watched in disbelief as his instruments went bonkers. Cupkake turned ghostly white, Megan snoozed on, bombed out. With one dud port clutch, anticlockwise circles seemed course de jour. And, not to be videoed…. Through it all Donkey stood firm, resolutely peering out to sea, calmly in control, of, well, his own air pressure.
Reputedly the most beautiful island on the planet – perhaps a stretch – Isle de Pins is truly spectacular, laced with stunning reefs, white sandy beaches and gorgeous coves everywhere. We’ve now bicycled, motor scootered and walked around much of it, but there is much more to explore from a boat. That will require a rather large miracle, scheduled for this afternoon, as it turns out. Our clutch is slipping, and I’m sick of donuts, so today is clutch repair day. Our new friends Greg and Janey on ‘Skeddled’ to the rescue. He’s a property guy, I’m a consultant. Who gets to hold the spanner??