On standby to go tomorrow!

Well, the time has come, we've looked at the weather model and forecast for the last three days and all signs and indications, including the local chooks show that we may just get an okay window for the 6 - 7 days we need. 761 nautical miles in a south westerly direction means we need no more south, than a south easterly wind, preferably a east south easterly or an easterly would be wonderful. We cannot expect to be so lucky as to get a north easterly, which would make it a dream passage.

Geoff has been in to town and cleared with Customs, Immigration and the Port Captain. I've been to the local waterfront markets and got our fresh supply of fruit and veggies. Can't take too much as anything left over will be confiscated by Australian Quarantine. Got some local beer on board, got lots of chocolate and cookies. Will pick up a couple of fresh baguettes tomorrow morning and load up the water tanks....then we should be able to throw off the lines and go!!

We are hoping that the winds will be around the 10 -20 knot strength, which would see us arrive in around six days'ish. Meaning that if and that is a BIG if, we are lucky, we should be home by next Wednesday afternoon! We have to go to Rivergate Marina (next to the Gateway Bridge) to clear back into Australia with Customs, Immigration and Quarantine. Plus settle the big and nasty issue of our GST and Import Tax bill for bringing Sea Otter into Australia. Then we will be free to meander down the Brissie river to Dockside.

Our Blog updates will be down by Iridium whilst on passage to keep you up to date on our progress, the conditions and us.

It will be sad to finally leave our last foreign port and start the final leg home. It has been 8 months today since we left Brisbane, incredible hey? It really has gone so fast. Part of us want to keep going - but the bigger part is excited to get home to family and friends. It's my sister-in-law Kylie's Birthday on Friday, so Happy Birthday Ky!! Wish I was there so I could take you out to lunch :( And Happy Birthday yesterday for a really close friend and boss, Tracy. I know we will have a few champers when I get back (better do that before I start back at work with you!) Miss you both heaps. Neither of us can say we are itching to get back to work ;) But we got to pay for that Import Tax somehow!! And just as I am getting a bit of handle on the French language for the first time in my life, we have to go.

We have enjoyed our stay in Noumea, especially since being at the Port de Sud Marina. It is a quiet, clean and modern haven for yachts. Tonight we may even go our for a fancy dinner at 'Monsiuer Bouef' (Mister Beef) for a last night steak!!! Hopefully we can make heads or tails of the menu. If it looks too expensive or confusing we will go to the Pizza place round the Baie. Must remember to take those seasick tablets early tomorrow morning.....it is very calm here and we are certain to feel a tad queasy with the first bit of motion in a week.

So that's it.....hope to see you all sometime around Wednesday night, Dockside's the place....Geoff's mobile for details on how to find us on the Marina.

Au revoir!