Shipped docked in Noumea. You can see a tiny little container ship behind. The Voyager of the Seas is just HUGE!
Following our first day in Noumea, I arose early the next morning for my usual walk, and realised that if there is ever a good time to take photos of a container terminal, it is definitely around dawn. (Actually, around dawn and dusk are the best times to take any outdoor photos, as the light is particularly lovely at both those times of day.)
To the right of our ship was the delightfully industrial container terminal.
To the left of our ship was the equally delightfully industrial nickel plant. Nickel is a big industry for New Caledonia. I was pleased with this photo, which turned an ugly nickel plant into a reasonably attractive landscape photo!
Looking further up the harbour in the soft early morning light.
Following the disappointing announcement that we would be staying in port at Noumea for another day, and not going to Fiji, the ship’s captain told us that they had organised for an extra day of onshore excursions if people wanted to take advantage of them.
However, for all us needleworkers, that wasn’t particularly useful or helpful as our next day was a scheduled class day. All our class days were scheduled for “at sea” days, and as we were supposed to be on our way to Fiji that day, it was supposed to be an “at sea” day.
So we sat in port with the lovely backdrop of the container terminal and did more Mountmellick embroidery. It did mean that I had a day of not leaning over people to help them and suddenly lurching sideways!
We left Noumea at 4pm that afternoon, in lovely sunshine. As we had to be out of the class area (a dining room) by 4pm so that the staff could set up for dinner, I took my stuff straight back to my room and then went up on deck to enjoy the view.
Leaving Noumea.
Farewell Noumea!
The following day we were supposed to be in Fiji, so therefore we would have been enjoying onshore excursions. However, because we were at sea, as a bonus to our students, we offered them an extra half day of class time. Most of my students turned up and as I had already finished instructing them the day before, I sat with them and worked on my own embroidery, while they continued working on their Mountmellick.
I made sure all my students knew that I was completely interruptible, and throughout the morning they continued to ask my advice and for help. Many used the time to really get knitting the fringe under control. It was an enjoyable, relaxing morning.
That afternoon I went to the ship library, found a book and took it up on deck to enjoy the fresh air and read. I didn’t get much reading done… though I did get a lot of snoozing done! Obviously I needed some sleep!
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
All that fresh sea air was probably very tiring!