Daily Logs

Lexington - Captain Bob: Kadadu Park

More photos of trip to parksimage1 image2 image3 image4 image5. read more...

Lexington - Captain Bob:9/4/2017 Darwin

We are back in Darwin Marina after a weekend visiting Kakadu National Park and Leitchfield National Park.We rented a small van that was set up for camping. We invited Gary Chapman off of Skylark to go with us since he wanted to go and we had an extra seat in our van. We did a lot of walking in very hot weather accompanied by many mosquitoes and flys to welcome us to Australia. We tried to learn a lot about the Aboriginal People and their customs. May fair winds fill your sails with cool comfortable weather!I will show some photos with explanation image1 image2 image3 image4. read more...

Lexington - Captain Bob:Adelaide River tour

World Criusing arranged a tour for the group to go to the Adelaide River with the main attraction being crocodiles. We were fortunate enough to have an excellent bus driver who was also a tour guide and historian who took delight in informing and entertaining the group for the travel time to and from the site. At the Adelaide River we boarded about a 35 foot pontoon type boat for a trip along the Adelaide River. It is a river which remained muddy even in the dry season because the reverse current causes by the very high tides does not allow the sediment to clear from the water.Crocodiles are protected in Australia. They were hunted severely in the past. Australia allows crocodile farms for production of the hides used in luxury items. The sex of a crocodile is determined by the ambient. read more...

Lexington - Captain Bob: Darwin

I took the afternoon to visit the oil tunnels and the museum of the Royal Flying Doctors and the WWII bombing of Darwin. The oil tunnels were built in the hill side near the port of Darwin to make their oil reserves less threatened by air strikes. They built long tunnels to act as oil storage units. They built several but none were put into use before the war ended. They were later used to store plane fuel. They were dug with pick and shovel and one steam shovel. Men were basically drafted into construction corps if the were not qualified for the military. The exhibit has one of the tunnels lined with information and photos of the war and Darwin's role in the war. image1. read more...

Lexington - Captain Bob: Darwin 8/30/17

We have found Darwin to be very nice. The marina at Cullen Bay is very nice and the support business are treating our owners well with work on the boats. Yesterday Emma from Cesarina and I took a hop on bus tour. We spent most of our time at the Darwin Museum. I will show some photos since I have internet. image1 image2 image3. read more...

Lexington - captain Bob: 8/29/2017 Darwin.

So Sam and Karen went to a romantic hotel adventure. Deitmar was working on his boat engine etc and I was going on the hop on bus tour of Darwin. Emma, Deitmar's significant other had nothing to do so she ask to join me. We had a lovely day together on the Big Bus. We topped it off by stopping in a country and western store and bought Australian hats to match. I will show a photo at the end. She looks much better in her hat than I do. Helen and Mick are leaving the boat Owl to joinMisto to go from New Caledonia to New Zeeland. Owl threw a big dock party for their departure. Everyone drank more than we should. Owl had a very nice party with beer, wine and food. The party went on from 17:30 until after 23:00 which is when I left. At that time the last boat had come in in the still of the. read more...

Lexington - Darwin. Cullen Bay Marina

 We have made it to Darwin. We are on a pontoon outside the marina. We had to stop here to be decontaminated for possible mussels on our hull and in the water intake thru hulls on the boat. They put a disinfectant up thru the thru hulls and then we have to sit here for 10 hours until we can open our thru hulls and use the boat. We are scheduled to enter the marina at 07:00. The tides here are large. To get into the marina we have to go thru a lock where they keep the marina water at high tide level. This is the only marina I have seen like this. We went to an open market in the early evening. There were lots of food vendors and people selling all kinds of tourist stuff. Interesting but very touristy. I will attach a photo looking out to the sea. May fair winds fill your sails with. read more...

Lexington - 10°. 47'. south. 139°. 03' east

 So I figure I need some real posts about the less than ideal conditions of sailing around the world. These are just some random thoughts that popped into my head after Karen was just now thrown out of the port cockpit bench and onto the floor in the center of the cockpit with a significant thud. She was just sitting there reading her iPad and a wave caught the boat and her body at just the right angular moment to throw her three feet. After making sure she was alright, I told her she should find a husband that liked pool boys and drinks with umbrellas. Boating is not for the faint at heart. At the end of the Caribbean 1500 each year they give a prize for the biggest baddest bruise. Not quite as bad but not very romantic is that I have spent the morning sewing. I repaired a place in. read more...

Lexington - Lizard Island 8/18/17

We sailed thru the night to arrive at Lizard Island at about 08:00. This is a very nice place in the outer Barrier Reef. We had a moderate wind that let us average 6 knots or a little under for most of the night. Early in the day it was very light and we motored. I am sitting in the cockpit writing this as a small 6-12 passenger prop plane lands. It is amazing what is done in the name of pleasure. There is a nice resort here and I guess people fly in for their stay. Another plane just landed. The tourist trade in the area is impressive. It is hard for me to judge because I just get a glimpse of what is going on and I am of course seeing the tourist stuff because I am a tourist. This has to lead to one of my favorite stories of residency training. I was seeing a patient with a very small,. read more...

Lexington - 8/17/2017 16°.14’S.145°.32’E Headed to Lizard Island

We just spent two nights in Port Douglas Marina, actually the Reef Marina. I was surprised at how big and busy it was. It was a moderately large marina with a lot of big motor cruisers and even more excursion boats of any and all kinds. There was an 18 foot pontoon boat to rent to cruise up the river to fish, bird watch, or look for crocodiles. There were dive and snorkeling boats that were huge aluminum catamarans, guessing 125 feet by 75 feet holding hundreds of the crew’s closest friends to go out on the reef diving or snorkeling. It was booming at 7:30 in the morning and dead at 7:30 p.m. There were condos and resorts all over the place. We may have found where they got the idea for Hilton Head. We choose to rent a car and drove to the Daintree National Forest. It is a large expanse. read more...

Matakana Blue - Final passage home

My passage plan suggested an 8am start to arrive at the needless around 19.00 as the tide turns but talk over dinner of "first light" from Doodles and Omnishambles revise my plans and we depart at 7am,Ian calls me to say they left at 5.30 have 5 knots of breeze and are motoring.   Dolphins again come to say hello as we leave Bray or perhaps farewell as these are the last we see.  Claire texts, the overnighters are safely tucked up in Haslar and breakfast is at 9.  Fortunately wehave some preprepared bacon rolls warming in the oven. We motor sail for a while but shortly after 9am the wind hits 10 knots and I put out the gennaker. Over the next few hours the wind builds, giving us an average of 17 knots from 260 WSW and we are rompingalong soon arriving 10 miles off the. read more...

Legato - Log day 11

We grabbed 3 hours sleep and woke to Clare and Charlie waving at us from the Trinity Lightship.Coffee and bacon butties for anyone ready to join in.Then final goodbyes and promises to keep in touch. So in the final analysis, what did we think?I wanted to do the trip as it promised to raise my level of confidence about tackling a Channel crossing and the tides around the Channel Islands.It absolutely delivered.I have done a few rallies and the big difference with the ARC Channel Islands cruise was that everyone had the same common goal:To get experience as a skipper of managing the boat on an extended cruise in challenging waters.These were some of the nicest people I have ever met on a rally.We all got on so well.We have made new friends and all come away better sailors.What more can you. read more...

Legato - Log day 10

Is it that time already?We couldn’t believe the end of the trip was in sight.I could easily have stayed another couple of days.With the prospect of an overnight crossing short handed, we were pleased the ARC team has laid on a train for us to see the last corner of Alderney.The Braye Express (my title) took us from the harbour to the site of the quarry where they sourced the rocks for the harbour wall.Right next door to the Mannez lighthouse.The railway staff were proud to tell us the history of the line and show us the ex London underground rolling stock.The kids and the big kids were even allowed onto the engine and blow the horn.Back on the boat we tried to grab another couple of hours sleep before setting off at 5pm for the final marathon - Braye to Gosport keeping the Isle of Wight. read more...

Lexington - More Photos of Restoration Island.

The first is an abandoned boat that Dave pulled up onto the beach. He has a hole cut into the side to make a doorway. He has a professional boatwright lined up to make it into a place for a family and children. The second is Dave showing us some old aboriginal spears he has collected. The barbs were made of parts of sting rays. The last is Dave and Emma cooking over the open fire, oysters, rice and curry sauce.  Bob  . read more...

Legato - Log day 9

What a night!One of the great things for me about this trip is that I experienced lots of new new things.46 knots of wind on a swinging mooring is now one of them.How appropriate that name is.In the morning the wind had dropped to a strong force 6 and we took our lives in our hands to make the half mile dinghy journey across the harbour.We met the intrepid Claire who led a slightly bleary eyed rally team on a scenic walk around the island.We had a chance to see The Swinge in full flood from the safety of land and in case there was any doubt, we saw its true colours.Imagine all the calm and serenity of a washing machine.The island has a traditional agricultural history that has been decimated by economic change.It was abandoned during the war and now survives on subsidies from Guernsey. read more...

Lexington - Restoration Island and David Glasheen

We met a couple in the Marlin Bar on Lizard Island. As usual they had recommendations for us. Actually another couple had seen our buddy boat (Cesarina, classic look) elsewhere and alerted the next couple to keep an eye out for us. That couple recognized the boat at Lizard Island and struck up a conversation. In doing so, they recommended stopping at Restoration Island to meet a friend of theirs called Dave Glasheen, who likes to entertain visitors. From that information Cesarina and Lexington headed out for an overnight sail to Restoration Island where we met up with Dave. We had excellent wind and sailing. Dave and his dingo met us on the beach and entertained us for the next several hours. He is a non stop talker. He jumps from subject to subject with extreme ease. He and a partner,. read more...

Lexington - 14°18' south. 144°39 'east. Headed to Restoration Island

We are sailing along on a beautiful day, making way up the east coast of Australia, inside the reef. We met up with Cesarina, a German boat last night. We joined them for drinks and tapas at the Marlin Bar. You always run into other sailors who are always helpful. One couple who have sailed this area a lot recommended that we go to Restoration Island and try to meet up with a friend of theirs. I think their friend runs a restaurant. In any respect they volunteered to call their friend and give him a heads up that we may show up. We were promised fresh prawns if it all works out. Who knows but that is where we are headed now. Cesarina and Lexington both headed out at 07:00. Last night after the Marlin Bar we invited Dietmar and Emma over for popcorn and watching a movie, Captain Ron. They. read more...

Matakana Blue - Day 10 Alderney

As we boarded the water taxi at 09.30, the large wave that crashed against the breakwater sending an enormous volume of water and spray over the top lit brightly in the morning sunshine probably bestsums up the night before.  Solid breezes certainly in the upper 20 kn blew steadily throughout, howling through the rigging and sending the boats rocking and skating in the churning waters produced by the swell.   The morning trip on the Alderney railway was excellent fun. Volunteer staff were extremely friendly sharing lots of stories and anecdotes on the history of the railway and allowing the children to playwith the engines whistle. We were given a tour of the sheds took a walk to the headland to view the Lighthouse and some of the World War II battlements. The fleet is. read more...

Legato - Log day 8

Time to move on again and after stocking up, refuelling and watering for the comparative isolation of Alderney Harbour, we said good bye to the missuses(Is that a word?) who had literally planned a flying visit. Off we all sailed into the Little Russel heading for The Swinge and hoping we had got our timing right.More Dolphins were there to see us off which was a good omen.It was spectacularly successful trip!We all made it without incident which is testament to the passage planning advice which was earnestly debated at the skippers briefing.As our long suffering guru, Roger, said (after we had all arrived) The Swinge can be one of the scariest passages in any skippers log book.It had to be taken seriously.Only one sensible boat took the east passage up the race.Everyone else gave The. read more...

Legato - Log day 7

A much welcomed second free day and off on a jolly holiday bus tour.Takes you back!Our guide (Graham?) gave us a very personal and understated history of the island as he drove us through the tiny roads and we loved it.The island is bigger than I was led to believe and it was a trip of contrasts:from the dank, grim catacombs of the german hospital (anyone contemplating a war should visit just to put them off) to the spectacular cliffs and beaches.The little church was as interesting as it was peculiar.Our final mooring after the lottery of berthing at St Peter Port had the best view looking directly out of the harbour across to the sun kissed islands of Herm and Sark.Obviously the best venue for afternoon tea and local cakes.. read more...

Matakana Blue - Day 9 Alderney

What a beautiful place.  We ducked the day walking tour and opted for an extra lie in.  After much debate I decided to blow up the tender which only leads to exhaustion and frustration as the outboardthat worked fine 10 days ago fails to show any signs of life.  We water taxi ashore and the driver, having witnessed my pain offers to take a look at it.   Back on dry land we are all amazed by the beauty and size  of settlement here taking a walk through the beautiful town before sheltering for lunch in a restaurant on the high Street. We follow one ofthe guided walks after lunch finishing up down on the beach just as the final rain shower passes through and clears quickly revealing azure blue skies.   The children take to the sea for a swim whilst Karen and I. read more...

Matakana Blue - Day 8 passage to Alderney

  Dolphins and bright sunshine accompany our departure from St Peter Port at 14.30 Omnishambles and Reflections just ahead under Genoa alone. We top up fuel though looking at the forecast for the week aheadwe won't need it!  I set one reef in the main and full genoa just in case the wind increases as we clear the shelter of the island but it does not, nor is the wind direction any good for my plan to head East around Alderney.  The wind is falling, little over10knots so I shake out the reef and hoist the furling gennaker.  We have good boat speed now but I need to head towards Ortac to get a good wind angle which takes us west of Pierreau Vraic. I drop the gennaker as we pass so we have plenty of time and controlin the Swinge   The tide is setting North and our. read more...

Jambo - Nasty speed humps

Great day sailing yesterday in amongst the islands - must come back when we have more time to potter around with a local pilot bookBit of a shock as we came in to anchor and we slid across the top of a rock - trust the swedes to put speed humps in. Hopefully no damage done as only going 1 knotLeft early this morning to get down to Borgholm on Ola island. Will crack off early tomorrow to get to Kalmar for 12.30 when we meet Juergen who will lift Jambo on Monday for her winter restFeels a bit like the end of term as we head for the last day- can't believe it's all coming to an endMust fill in our end of rally survey form!IMG_0980. read more...