Fairies in the Garden.

 

    'Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?'

It's an Observation not an Opinion!

    LIFE.
      

Hibernation

• Hibernate ... to remain inactive or secluded. Sounds like the definition of paradise to me!

What Would He Know...

                                          Heading South.
                                       5 knots of current.
                                          Can't hold on much longer. 
                                   'Mother Ship' - fuel and water drop. 
                                   Cape Leveque - in search of fuel.
                                            Broome Harbour.
  

  Not long after we started the trip we received an email from a guy headed- 'Stroke Victim Sailed Around Aus.'  I take the liberty of quoting from it:-

         "... it was a great trip. But it is one of the worlds most difficult voyages. Sailors have always believed that Tassie and the Great Southern Ocean are the most treacherous areas to sail in, where, in fact, the Western Aust. coast, south of Exmouth is by far the most difficult. (Sailing south you have to have departed Exmouth by the 2nd week in September or it's close to impossible for the next 6 months)."

  He knew alright, but when we received the email the West Coast seemed so far away.

  No sooner had we started down the coast than our problems began. My memory is returning slowly.  

  It is now very clear we are trying to get down this coast at the wrong time of year. We intend to secure the boat in Broome until the time is right.

Darwin To Broome.

                                    King George River.
  

  My memory of this part of the trip has been unconsciously suppressed; as soon as it returns I will jot it down.

  I am however, having certain flashbacks:-

           - Strong current and wind.

           - Loss of our drinking water.

           - Out of fuel.

           - Medivac chopper.

           - Fuel and water transfer at sea.

           - Motor breakdowns.

           - Dumped by breakers.

           - Stranded onshore.

           - 14 hrs through the night to cover less than 14 miles...

 

  Maybe it's for the better that my memory doesn't come back!    

Here We Go Again.

  The larder is full, and we have a new crew member. The next sector is Darwin to Broome; we are under promise of magnificent country. Dal has left the trip and we have been joined for this sector by Reese.   We have a booking at the lock for 8am tomorrow.

  It is 35 deg here today, the boat is much hotter!

Darwin.

  We came through the night encountering the dreamtime, swirling whirlpools and a warship ghosting by. The weather was kind.

  At first light we saw a distant Darwin and celebrated with the last of our coffee; it was another 6 hours of frustration to get to anchor.

  Before being allowed into a marina the boat needed be inspected by the 'Aquatic Pest Management monitors'. A diver 'introduced' into the boats water intakes some form of chemical;an undertaking was also required we would not disturb them for 18 hours. (Included the loo).

  With Pest Certificate in hand, and owing to the tidal range, we entered Cullen Bay Marina through its lock system. This would have to be one of the few places in Aust. that has a Lockmaster! This is also the first time since we left Cooktown, over a month ago, that we can step off the boat onto 'dry land'.  

  With the boat secure Gerald and I are heading back to Melbourne for a week.