Greetings from yacht Ensemble.
By way of an update:
- Tuesday. We arrived in Papeete last Tuesday and stayed the night at the City marina. The berthing was a bit of a challenge (cross winds and current picked up just as we came to berth - after a day of no wind). Fortunately Bronwyn and Eva Louise were there to help us in. Then of course it would have been rude to conclude without a 'thank you' beer - that went on and ended up involving most of the dock. We had a lovely dinner at a local cafe, then got to sleep ready for an early start the next day.
- Wednesday. Got away at 7am for our 8am check in at the dry dock. In a moment of weakness Mark (from Bronwyn) agreed to help us out. Just as well! While this dock had plenty of space compared to St Lucia, and over zealous rope man tugged a bit too hard and we bumped the stern. Fortunately the fender took the hit - but still annoying. We got the boat up on the dry and the Technimarine boys took over from there. They identified a couple of scrapes - including one on the base of each keel where the gel coat had scraped off. This must have been from La Rochelle - as it is the only other place we have been on the dry. Another Euro 500 to fix - but they did a good job!
- Hotel Musical Chairs. We left the boat yard and then checked into the Sofitel. Unfortunately not all Sofitels are created equally - and this one is definately the runt of the litter. Magali was particularly upset - having looked forward to a few restful days at a resort. This place was more like an airport hotel (the a/c didn't work well - and there was no door on the bathroom). She complained to the Manager - who agreed it shouldn't really be called a Sofitel - 'more a 'Mercure' - and happily gave us our money back and a plate of macaroons. (... the way to a woman's heart...) We then went to the Meridien and Magali was happy. It became apparent that it was going to take at least until Tuesday for the boat - so we booked some extra nights. In the end we stayed Tuesday night on the boat for the Wednesday morning 'back in the water'.
- Tuesday night there was a dock BBQ organised by the Galah's and Bronwyn. They creatively used the emergency rudder bits from the Beatoo to make a BBQ at the end of the dock. About 40 people showed up and drank until the early hours of the morning. Fortunately Magali rescued me from the clutches of a bottle of whisky and we got away early. Mark was less fortunate and was definately a bit the worse for wear the next morning.
- Wednesday 25th. We decided to get a hire car so we could finish the provisioning and pick up Peter and Carmen from the airport. So Magali took the car to Tanina Marina while Mark and I brough the boat around. All went well and we ended up parked next to Zoe. I went into town for the skipper's briefing, then back again to pick up Magali for the awards ceremony. Good dancing and good food - and surprisingly nice Tahitian wine. We then raced off to pick up Peter and Carmen - who arrived on the 9:15pm flight from NZ.
Unfortunately the wet weather must have followed them over. While Magali, Carmen and Peter went on the round the island tour, I stayed on the boat trying to work down our list of repairs... Garmin / Furuno guys tomorrow, and hopefully Outboard and Generator...
Cheers
Dave & Magali
25Apr2012 014