25:03.753 S  130:07.100 W

18:00

The man with the kiwi accent tuirns out to be a  New Zealand Policeman stationed here for one year as an administrator which does not imply that the locals actually sound British.  Far from it.  Four of us went ashore leaving Steve on board, and did the paperwork,in the home of Brenda, a local who lived in England for 26 years and returned here 9 years ago.  She is the immigration and customs officer. She thinks there are around 70 people living here but she’s not sure as she’s been away for 5 months and hasn’t done a head count since she’s come back. The mayor’s name was Michael, the Kiwi Policeman was Michael, and in fact most of the men we met were Michael.  Plus one Simon, a David and a Dave. We bought some local carvings but there was very little to chose from as the QEII stopped here a few months ago and hoovered up all the stock.  Plus they are now selling on the internet.

We went to the post office, someone called the postman to open it for us, we went to the museum, someone called the museum attendant to open it for us and then we hiked to the highest point on the island which gave great views and the obligatory shot of SPINDRIFT at anchor in Bounty Bay. 

The remains of the wreck of The Bounty are a few hundred meters from where we anchored but there is very little to see and you need a calm day to see it.

The hike to the top would have been impossible on a hot day and indeed I was helped by a local woman (the wife of Brenda’s brother) who gave me a lift for one section on her quad bike which is the only mode of transport here.

Brenda organized a care package of fresh fruit and veg.  We have enough Bananas to get to Tahiti and back.  I plunged the banana stalk in the sea for ten minutes to insure we would not be having any stowaways on board.

By the time we got back, the surf was up. Steve went ashore for his turn and Brenda drove him to the other side of the island where they could see it was calmer. They radioed us and we have moved the boat to “Western Harbour” in the NW corner of the island and indeed it is very calm here.  No sign of Steve.   No sign of a road.  They did assure us the Brenda would deliver Steve here one way or the other.

Steve turned up in the dark, Demetri and Lee went ashore to find him, everybody had a radio and a torch.

I did discover there is one restaurant here and it is open only on a Wednesday, provided you have  given your order by Tuesday.  We were asked not to photograph the jail, but didn’t find it anyway.

18/6/08  12:00

It rained all night and most of the morning so far.  We had a quiet night at anchor. Demetri, Lucy and Steve  have gone for a snorkel in the rain.

The weather has put off thoughts of more island trekking so we will leave for the Gambiers this afternoon. The trip from Easter Island  totaled 1165 miles of which approx 300 were under engine.  The next hop to The Gambiers is a mere 300 miles.