Mischief - Mischief making : Log 76 Further adventures of S/Y Mischief through the eyes and ears of Chas Baynes

Friday, 24th August 2018 - Passage to Darwin

It looked set for a 'ground-hog day' in the early morning as there was again no wind with the sea flat calm, no ships or anything else for that matter. So at first light I just set up the fishing lines for something to do and lo-and-behold half an hour later there was a 'bang' from the stern and a fish had taken the lure. Dave and I hauled it in as the ladies took refuge in the cabin, and we produced a lovely 7lb tuna, just the right size. It is the first fish we have landed for ages. We hung it over the stern to allow it to bleed out therefore taking the risk that a shark may come along and nab it but Dave dragged it aboard after 20 minutes and fileted it. Whilst occupied with the fish we saw a massive sea snake swimming along on the surface, the size of a moderate python but a lot more dangerous! We don't want to catch one of those I don't think.

At 10 am we still have 300 miles to go across the Arafura Sea and into Darwin so at 5 knots the ETA would be 10 pm on Sunday evening and at 6 knots noon Sunday.

Mid-afternoon we had another bite - another tuna but this time it was a bit small so we dragged it aboard, removed the hook and sent it happily on its way. It is not difficult at the moment as the boat is rock steady as the sea is like a mill pond.

We had the tuna steaks for dinner cooked on the gas barbeque in the cockpit, with salad. But first I had sliced some thin pieces to have as sashimi with soy sauce and wasabi - it was so good as it was as fresh as a daisy. The seared steaks were fantastic too.

Into the evening watches and the sea remained like a mirror without the faintest hint of a breeze. Even the distant stars were casting a reflection on the water - the boat looks as if it is moving through an oil slick, or as Neen preferred, sailing through chocolate.

Saturday, 25th August 2018 - Passage to Darwin

I have never known it to be so mirror calm for so long, and with the full moon the reflections off the water are almost blinding. Neen and I decided to play with the cameras and took some pictures of the moon and the red/green navigation lights. Neen, being a professional photographer, showed me how to set up my camera for a delayed shutter shot and spelt the word 'Help' with a torch with a 30 second delay. It came out quite well but as 'pleH', the mirror image, so not too much practical application I fear!

We saw and passed the light from New Year Island just before first light. Clearly all the NY parties had finished, and people had gone to bed as there was no evidence of parties ongoing at all, certainly no fireworks nor music nor lights other than the big white one Fl 3 30s. The next light to see is off the Hogmanay Shoal so maybe the Scots will still be at it when we get there.

1200 position: 10 deg 54.4' S 132 deg 35.1 E SOG: 6 knts C: 255 W: WNW 4 knts DTR: 145 nm

Our noon to noon run was 145 miles at an average of 6 knots so if we maintain this speed we will be in Darwin for noon tomorrow, as predicted. We are just passing the Cape Croker through some narrow shoals, then our next waypoint is at Cape Don about 60 miles, when we turn properly south west and head straight into Darwin, well through a chicane of shoals but otherwise straight there. We are getting there!!

We keep getting intermittent phone signal which proves we are close to civilisation but not enough to download anything of substance which is frustrating so just best not to look at the phone at all - better for the blood pressure!

I made a lasagna for dinner which turned out very well despite the fact that I managed to smoke out the entire boat when some sauce dripped onto the oven tray and burnt. We were having a bit of a panic I must admit - but it was worth it.

Our ETA of noon tomorrow was premised on a speed of 6 knots. However, no-one mentioned the tides around here which stream quite strongly in all directions. We were passing Cape Don on the mainland inside of Melville Island and the current was at least 3 knots so effectively halving our boat speed. We may get some of this back when the tide turns maybe, let's hope.

Anyway, tomorrow we will arrive at whatever time. For me at least, the end of a long journey from Galapagos. Quite exciting though even so!