Meeting Matthew

Nakesa
Tue 20 Nov 2012 01:45
S22 15 E 171 22
 
Meeting Matthew 
 
Imagine my suprise when 250 miles from anywhere I sight a great, green, towering volcanic Island.
 
It is just off the port beam now (left hand side you lubbers!) and in dead calm and bright sunshine I am scouring cruising guides to find out something about it.
 
Only two even acknowledge its existence at all and then only as a small dot on the chart...a dot that disappears when you zoom out very far on an electronic chart..which is one of their drawbacks for ocean sailing! I learnt this on the Atlantic crossing in 2010 when , 1000nm out and 5miles deep, we passed a charted reef claimed to be 2.8m. As these thigs are the result sometimes of a single report I somehow disbelieve it ..but I wasnt so sure as to go looking for it either! Since then I now have a chart plotter on a 10 mile range for such things and the other showing start and finish, in this case zoomed out to 1800nm, Fiji to Sydney.
 
Of the two books that show Matthew Island neither say a word about it. I believe it is a part of Vanuatu. It has a brother 40nm to the south called 'Hunter' The chart says of this...'overfalls, floating light coloured foam and sulpherous vapour'  ...and you were wondering where to next go on holiday?? As for Matthew it looks beautiful, just a wisp of smoke coming from the top, I have just taken a picture for when I am next on Facebook. I actually feel very privelidged, I bet very few people have ever seen Matthew..one day I may come back and claim it..create a new Nation. I  will be the President and Foreign Minister, I will sail for the Matthew Island Olympic Team and I will certainly be the best in the country at just about everything!
 
We will make fair and happy nation where the resident go about their business in a meaningful and happy way. there will be no religion and no politicians..we will not invade the Middle East for oil or any other reason and there will certainly be no..reality shows, parking tickets, dentists, lawyers, definitely no lawyers but then as everyone will be reasonable a fair minded, none will be necessary.
 
I am getting quite excited, I will choose a Michael Jackson song as the National Anthem and the national dress will be DJ's for men and very skimpy bikinis for women (notionally you understand as there are none. Prince Charles will NOT be welcome on his way back from NZ but Harry can helicopter in if he wants for a rave!
 
I will spend a few hours writing the constitution I think..now what was that good bit in the  other one, pursuit of happiness..liberty and justice for all and then I can just borrow from rap songs for the rest.
 
Ah well, I must now set my mind on more immediate matters, getting to Sydney in a 6 knot wind making only 2.9 knots with 1271nm to go
 
Love to you all
 
from
 
His Majesty the Right Royal King of Matthew Island