Hello all,

Sorry for the lack of updates

We moved across the bay on Monday to a yard called Nouville Plaissance. We will be based here for the next few weeks.  It's more of a work yard than a marina and we are the only people living onboard. The yard only has space for 5 boats to tie alongside the wall so we were very lucky to get this spot. Infact its all down to Al (our lovely new American friend who had to pull a few strings and help us out). It's fine and such a relief to be out of the stinky pee marina! Apparently since we left the smell has stopped...its either us ( I don't think we have become smelly cruisers yet! ) or wind blowing 30 knots may have helped!

 Our friends Patrick and Christine on 'Screaming Eagle', ( Who also lost their mast ) Casper & Maud on 'Sueno Azul' came onboard to help us with lines. It was an early 6 am start so we could hopefully tie up in the least amount of wind. It all went really well and Mike did a great job steering QM into the tightest spot between 2 boats with no issues at all.

So here we are Day 4 into repair work and so far so good. It is such a great feeling to be making progress and QM is looking already a million times better. 

Its been really hard watching all the boats preparing for their last trip to Australia and leaving the marina. For a lot of people it is the end of a long journey and we so wish we could be with them. There has been a lot of talk and debate in the mornings about the weather and when is the right time to leave for Australia and NZ. Everyone wanting to ensure they pick the best time and minimise encountering bad weather. Weather routers have been used, every weather forecast available has been analysed and morning Cruisers meetings have been held to help everyone come to their own decision.

Reports from friends on 'Ghost' who left on Tuesday ( As good weather window according to all sources) have encountered the worse seas since leaving England and 30-35 knots constant. We hope is calms down for them.

Georges (the rigger) arrived Monday and took measurements and him and Mike lifted what was left of the mast. I think it was a lot heavier than they expected as it toppled Mike nearly overboard but we managed to save both him and what was left of the mast.

At this point we are still unsure how long everything is going to take. Our kind friends on Sueno Azul have donated us their kayak ( We borrowed it in Bora Bora and loved it) so maybe we will kayak back to Sydney. Maybe set a Guinness Book record for the first couple to Kayak from New Caledonia to Sydney in an Inflatable kayak....

Until then its work...work...work..and trying to stay positive about it all as my Mum keeps saying its only a big piece of metal!