Rangiroa
Zepher
Chris & Lyn Darch
Wed 16 Jul 2008 06:26
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14:58.08S
147:38.42W
Hi Readers,
A flat anchorage at last, brilliant. It was a
little ironic last night to be in good sailing winds, and having to roll in our
sails to avoid getting to the pass too soon. We had to spend the last
twelve hours sailing at a measly three knots. We made it through the pass
into Rangiroa lagoon at 9 am with no more damage than Chris's undies getting a
little brown. The place is phat, a lagoon that's so big (second
largest in the world so I am told) you can't see over to the other side, it's
even better than I remember it from a visit 25 years ago, though a bit more
built up. The moon theory on tide highest/strengths seemed to hold out to
some extent with us missing the worst of the currents. Nonetheless we had
to contend with some fairly strong eddy currents, Chris manfully handled the
helm whilst we all looked on in awe. The motor was running at 2000 revs
which would normally give us a speed of seven knots, but we were barely making
three, so you can see what we were up against. Lucky we didn't try it when
the tide was at full pelt! The day has been spent tidying the boat, Ruth
and I have been in the water cleaning the hull which is surprisingly showing
growth already. We have also been catching up with old friends.
Many of whom we have known since our days in Panama. Most boats are
following a similar schedule, and many are heading to bay of isles in NZ, so I
guess we will continue to see them along the way.
We have just spent a quiet evening sitting in the
cockpit under an almost full moon, feasting on a cornbeef chilli knocked up by
Lyn, and washed down by the last couple of bottles of plonk that we had on
board. I don't think we will be drinking a lot here as it seems to be a
very up market tourist destination with prices to match. Apparently as
mush as 900 dollars per night. This afternoon we say some guy flying
around in his private jet like it was some little one
seater!
Anyway I appear to be on my own, everyone seems to
have crashed, we were all up at five this morning so I guess they have an
excuse, it's eight thirty after all. I am going running in the morning,
the first time in eight months. So I'll sign off now and get this
posted before I turn in too.
Good night from Dr Chris Sailgood and the Motley
crue.
Ps Phil, (scooter man) a retort may be on the
way when I have nothing better to do. But in the mean time I have been
listening to the Lambretas, so I may be coming round to your form of
transport.
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