Hi from Skipper Steve,
We are now safely moored up in Darwin at Tipperery Marina, lovely facilities and very friendly staff.
The last day of our passage from Thursday Island passed without incident in dead flat seas, glorious sunshine with a fast current assisted passage. The crew were thankful for the calm conditions and I think they even managed to enjoy their final night watches. However once we made Darwin they were anxious to leave Kasuje partly because the water maker had finally given up the ghost and we were all getting a little niffy, and partly because on the few days remaining of their holiday they wanted to make the most of Darwin and the outback. I hope the experience has not put them off ocean sailing forever but it may be some time until they return to the sea. My thanks to Philip, Anita, Richard and Charisa for their company and I hope you arrived home safely.
I am taking the opportunity whilst in Darwin to catch up on a few minor boat issues including fixing the dreaded water maker, to rest up a little and prepare for the longer legs down to Cape Town. The WARC social scene is in full swing and as well as a day the cricket, (Australia v Bangladesh,) we have enjoyed a pleasant evening reception hosted by the local Naval base and Northy is busy arranging day trips to many of the local places of interest.
Bruce , Angela and Val arrive today ,Sunday, and we then have a couple of days to further enjoy Darwin, and to complete the yacht preparations before we start our passages west to Bali.
Our time in Australia has been quite spectacular and we have vouched to return for a longer stay. I had no idea what a wonderful country it is, so much diversity, generally calm happy folks, who are absolutely sport crazy!! Great climate, clean streets, low crime rates, full employment and a steady economy with natural resources to sustain them into the future. It is amazing what a few convicts have created!!
We hope to get under way on Wednesday next, water maker permitting, and onwards to another new culture and the wonders of Indonesia.
Hope all is well with you.
Kindest Regards
Skipper Steve