New Caledonia

Well, Bonjour New Caledonia - and the view of greenish-brown rolling hills is a bit like Scotland (if you cut out the palm trees along the shore). Could never see much in Vanuatu that was similar to the Hebrides, it was rather a stretch of the imagination to call it New Hebrides originally.

We've had quite a tough 2-day-and-night sail. Luckily with plenty of wind from the east which is what we wanted, but the seas have been chunky and splashy. Yours truly rather queasy most of the time in spite of continuous pill popping. Had enough pre-cooked food to keep us going, but really enjoyed bacon sausage and eggs on arrival at 5.30 this morning. We still have about 35 miles to go, but are allowed to anchor with quarantine flag flying after negotiating a channel through reefs which has to be timed for the tide. So we came through at 3am without problems as it is well charted with leading lights and lighthouses. Will rest today, and catch the tide tomorrow morning for the rest of the journey.