Sunday 28  October; Mouly, Orvea, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia South Pacific Ocean 22 43.08S  166 25.01E 

Today’s Blog by Lenie (Time zone BST+11.00; UTC +11.00)

Northern Pleiades,

Fishing off the back of the boat is good if it works. The second time it was real close and we have a picture to prove it: just before it got away! A 2ft wopper of uncertain race, peut etre some sort of Jack (we do accept suggestions).

Unfortunately it also means the end of our supply of lures, so the task now is to stick a lead shot double the size of a octopus' throat in an octopus head, via the throat that is. Takes a lot of patience, soap and hot water. Not quite managed it yet, so the standard has dropped: almost is good enough. I always understood fishing to be a sport of adaptable, flexible measurements.

Meanwhile we are approaching Mouly where we first anchored. The authorities are keen for us to pick up a yellow buoy, but skipper, quite rightly so, does not think they are Serendipity proof. All he needs to do when challenged is to flex his muscles. I know who I will put my money on, sadly for the skipper, this other bloke is huge and he has not met him before!!

But it may not be an issue. It is Sunday today and with a bit of luck, government is shut and we are planning to leave for Lifou very early in the morning.

Today's visit to the northern Pleiades was slightly disappointing in terms of quality of coral. Lots of fishes though and getting in and out a dingy is always good for a laugh. Peter has us to believe that today David made his most gracious entry back into the dingy. When we got back to the boat David went for another snorkel by himself and good for him, he said it was well worth it and he has a shark picture to proof it!

                David’s shark                                                                                                     The one that got away, believe me: a wopper!

Love to you all,

Lenie