Hangin' Free

For the first time since leaving Bolinao in the Philippines (5 May) we are happily swinging free in Atetsu Bay and not in a boat harbour! We are on a mooring owned by Kasai-San, of the Yunamaru Boat Yard, who first welcomed us to Koniya. "Sailor's Heaven" is his name for this place and it is indeed a lovely place, 28 deg. 11.154 N, 129 deg 17.188 E. A dogleg into the bay has left us surrounded by tree-covered hills, deep clean water, and peace and quiet. Not like our nerve-wracking departure from the little wharf at Koniya where we had to shuffle boats to depart. First Bannister left, backing out easily, then Akira on Apollo was moved back into that space. Then the boat rafted up to us was put in Apollo's place. We had a line from our bow taken across the 20-metre width of the harbour to the other side. All lines were let go except the stern line and with help from our friends on the bow line and some full rudder to starboard with forward gear, we came round to face the light breeze and the entrance. We did not want to try backing out as Tweed is a bit temperamental in reverse - OK if plenty of room but with the rocks to one side of the entrance we did not want to try it! Whew! All went well and we motored serenely up the channel to Atetsu where we rafted up to Bannister, as there was only one of the four moorings available. We will leave early tomorrow morning for Daikuma, near Naze, on the NW coast of this same island, Amami Oshima.

Koniya was a delightful spot to spend a few days. Yesterday we thought we might hire a motor cycle but without an international licence that was impossible so we hopped on a bus and went to Marine Station - the rest of the map is in Japanese - which is actually some sort of resort. It was only a 25-minute ride but took us through some spectacular hills and coastal scenery, and through a couple of small villages which would have been interesting to see at a more leisurely pace. After a short walk to the top of a hill to view the channel entrance, we had a swim and a snorkel before having lunch at the resort. Surprise, surprise - the Bannisters were already there. They had hired motor bikes and found this to be the only restaurant on their morning ride. We had lunch together before they set off once again and we waited for our bus to collect us and take us back to Koniya.