Papillon in the Pacific

  La Orana! Boats are fickle creatures, and it seems Papillon is no exception.   After almost two weeks of me coughing like a “Mongolian throat warbler” (as skipper so very kindly described it) we finally felt ready to leave the mooring last Saturday and attempt the 50-60 nm circumnavigation of Raiatea.   It should have been straightforward.   The wind was predicted northeast backing southeast later in the week making for an easy sail down the west side followed by a sail back up the east coast as and when the wind decided to turn. With an embarrassment of anchorages to tempt along the way what could possibly go wrong?   It was true our autohelm was giving us cause for concern and the headsail repairs still had to be fully tested but that’s boats for you – if you waited until they were perfect you would never go out.      dinghy dock at "Jean Jacques"   Cormorant watching our departure After our enforced staycation we...

La Orana! Papillon has been in quarantine this week.  Strictly speaking we should be flying a yellow and black chequered flag but it seemed somewhat alarmist when I’m really just a bit snottery so instead we have attempted to reduce our trips into town and skipper has been left in charge of people interactions.  This has had some interesting outcomes. My coffee and small orange juice metamorphosed into two large glasses of orange juice and 3 pastries at Apetahi– nobody was complaining but the waitress did seem a little surprised at my newfound appetite!  - and a simple trip to Champion for Sellotape and a phone card had him returning with yet more fistfuls of change, unnecessary onions and spinach and no Sellotape or phonecard.  The reason given is “I got a little flustered”!  I don’t get it.  He doesn’t get flustered reducing the sail area in a force 6 and a 3m swell but the moment he is confronted with a French voice anything can happen!  ...

 La Orana! Our sailing adventures last week have left us with a couple of tears in the UV cover of our headsail.  Initially we thought it was only one.  It seemed manageable so I downloaded a video on how to use a “speedy stitcher” awl and set to work with my last remaining bit of canvas.  It wasn’t speedy but all was going well until the final inspection when I noticed a longer tear further down the cover.  We decided  a sailmaker’s opinion and skills were required and have now set up a meeting with Leo, a sailmaker by day and bass guitarist by night.  Even if he can't help us it should be interesting!   lunchtime Motu   my almost invisible sail repair! Without a headsail we might have felt a little curtailed this week but fortunately, Claudie had invited us to join her walking group for a hike in Tahaa on Monday.  We turned up at the town dock at 8am as requested and were shepherded onto little outrigger c...