Palmerston Island

Thursday 19^th 

August

We had a lovely lunch of Parrotfish beautifully cooked by Shirley. Stephen and Ross then helped the family fillet their catch of fish and then they took apart a long liners fishing buoy to make it into a light for Edward’s family  to use the bathroom at night. The island power is switched at midnight and is back on at 6.00am.

This is the original house that Edward's family lived in.

Pot of gold ????

Huge mahogony trees are the only tree on the island

Dian and Cyndy visited the school again and Dian offered her services as an ongoing mentor for children with learning difficulties. Yvonne, the head mistress was absolutely  delighted and could think of several areas where Dian’s expertise could be of great value.

Classroom in Palmerston

Dian is enjoying island life

Cyndy enjoying the island

After folding our washing we went snorkelling and it was remarkable. There were just too many fish to name and many sea cucumbers, clams with giant purple and fluorescent green mouths and colourful coral. Edward’s son  David took the fish guts and heads offshore so that sharks were not attracted to the snorkelling area. Dian and Ross had a close encounter with several black tipped sharks and when one energetically swam around  and then below Dian she decided to cease snorkelling for the day.

This is the treacherous passage that a boat needs to negotiate to enter the lagoon.

The passage through the reef is marked by old shipwreck parts

The breaking water ahead of the boat is the entrance to the passage

Beautful lagoon taken from Palmerston Island

We invited Edward’s family to “Salacia” for afternoon tea and to have a look at the yacht. There was great conversation about island life and everyone was singing along with the ipod.

Ross and Di enjoying the joke

Friday 20^th

We were woken early with a VHF radio call telling us that a westerly storm front was heading our way. We immediately went on to stand-by in case we had to go offshore until the front had passed. Ross dived on our anchor to check that it was dug in and that the mooring was still in good condition. The anchor had gone over a steep shelf so it was in an ideal position for holding the yacht in a westerly blow.

While we were waiting for the front Stephen saw a whale in the mooring buoy area. These big pods of whales stayed around the moored yachts all day. Last night at sunset it was wonderful watching them frolicking.

We have been doing chores this morning and will then go ashore to finish the light job and to buy Ross another T Shirt. Edward came out to the boat to take us in to lunch at his home. They are also hosting  Australians David and Gai off “Cumulus 1”from Southport , QLD.

We went for a walk around the village chatting to residents and fellow yachties finding lovely new houses like one that belongs to Tere, (the Customs, Quarantine, and Immigration Officer) and Yvonne (School Principal and the island Finance Officer). We checked the old graves to confirm that the female members of the “Marsters line” keep the “Marsters” name when  they marry. 

Di and I also visited the school with “Salacia” business cards for their record book of visiting yachts. The Principal also took out photo for the book.

All of the locals take part in the administration of the island. Edward is the police officer, Simon is on the Council, Tere is the Administrator on top of his other duties, Bob is a councillor.

Tere is the immigration, customs and Quantine officer

 Cyndy found a hermit crab and showed it to Grandma Marsters and she scooped it out of the shell and ate it! It look a few minutes for Cyndy to get over the shock.

Then it was back to the yacht with Edward, Shirley and John for a sunset drink and a chat. We gave them their food package which included everything from steak to fuel for his outboard. Other items were gourmet biscuits, chocolate, rice , pasta, tinned vegetables, fruit juice, clothes detergent, washing up detergent, playing cards, Salacia hats, tea bags, flour, breadmaker recipes and pre mixed (by Cyndy) bags of bread ingredients, yeast, bacon and other staples.

Saying goodbye to Edward, Shirley and John with Palmerston Is in the background

We had a pork roast for dinner before an  early night .

Saturday 21^st

An early start this morning before setting sail for Niue. Sails  up and set by 7.45am. Cyndy made scrambled eggs for breakfast underway in 10 – 15  knots.