We made it!…. we are in Indonesia! After quick trips to the shops for last fresh food provisions and a few things from the chandlery we waited for the horns marking the 11am start of the rally. Didn’t really hear the horns but got our selves together, only to be delayed by Naomi needing to visit the toilet, and then we were second from last across the start line. We sailed slowly passed the tourist motor catamaran filled with rally organisers and interested onlookers as Naomi insisted we don’t have the engine running for this. Being almost last did have the advantage of not being being overtaken by the other boats and we pretty much stuck near the back all the way. Light winds carried us pleasantly westward along the coast. As night set in and ... read more

Well last time I wrote was a long time ago and a long way away - a different state and time zone in fact. We waited an extra day in Seisia for lighter winds but did not get them. Where one British boat left another, that knew them, took their place so we introduced ourselves. I managed to hitch a ride to and from Bamaga, for something to do, both times with aboriginals. I asked the guy driving the first car what sights I should see and his only suggestion was buying a cray-fish pie. Bamaga is truly a one-street town, with a few dusty shops, one pub with drive through bottle shop, a collection of shonky looking houses and a sparkling new library and centrelink office. I got a coupe of pies and left. 5th ... read more

We've made it! The northern tip of Australia. This was a few days ago that we have left the east coast of Australia behind. Its been a few weeks without internet connection so this blogs a bit of a long one to fill you in. Wednesday 11th June As with previous days with predicted strong wind warnings the day started almost windlessly - rare for us to see Cooktown in this calm. We motored out after breakfast, this time ignoring the outer markers, motorsailing with the slight breeze and made one last phone call before signal is lost for a long time. Enjoyed a day of flat water and were not able to turn the engine off until after 1pm, and then coasted along for a few hours at about 4 knots with Lizard Island looming ... read more

Friday we rode the dropping tide out of the Trinity Inlet, Cairns getting bypassed by the numerous tourist boats running people out to the nearby islands and reefs. As we got away from land the wind built to 20-25 knots and we had a good run under the poled out jib. We passed Double Island and throughout the day several rain clouds overran us and gave us a wash down, pre-empted with some gusts up to 30 knots. Naomi helmed us most of the way to avoid seasickness, while I would hide downstairs from the rain with the companionway blocked up, playing snap with Alex. By about half two we were coming through the markers and into the smooth waters of Port Douglas. Motored passed the town, marina, yacht club and down into Packers Creek where ... read more

We left Queens Bay early, coming out into the easterly swell that had given us a little roll in the bay and was now giving us big roll, so Naomi didn’t get back to sleep again. But once we got back on course, travelling with the swell things got a lot more comfortable. Bypassed the ten or so tankers outside Abbot Point and several hours later we turned into the first bay around the tip of Cape Upstart for a surprisingly flat anchorage in the early afternoon. Pretty little birds congregated on the lifelines at the front of the boat. I took some pictures before chasing them away before they left any more mess on the deck. Explored a couple of beaches with some cautious use of the outboard over the shallow rock seabed between them. ... read more