Bon Jour la Nouvelle Caledonie

Have now arrived in Nouvelle Caledonie, named by James Cook who thought it reminded him of Scotland - hence the name (although l do think he must have first seen it on a bad weather day!). Originally English, the French took over control in 1850s and 10 years later turned it into a penal colony following the example of the English in Australia. The indigineous population are Melanesian and are known as Kanaks.

It is tre tre hot here but have managed to cool down with a cold glass on 'Number 1' beer and today we headed out into the lagoon in R and M's ocean going yatch to a small island where we swam and snorkeled. We saw a large turtle and believe me turtles can move fast in the water. We also saw a water snake - about a metre long, yellow with brown stripes. In the afternoon the wind got up and water quite choppy so headed in.

A beautiful yatch, as you can see, which R and M have sailed around the world in.