16 August 2010
Thor IV and Eowyn left two hours ahead of us at 4am. We crossed Shelburne Bay seeing only isolated reefs and islets in the distance. The Great Barrier Reef is now much further from the mainland. Consequently there is less protection form swell. Studying the chart the Barrier Reef gives the appearance of an orderly procession of caterpillars. Today we are not so much as crawling but positively scampering along. Our destination today is the Escape River, our last anchorage before rounding the top. On the net this morning Wolfgang warned of many pearl rafts in there just ready and waiting to get caught up in a prop. He has also had a very serious warning of the threat of saltwater crocodiles from the people running the pearl farm. Not to dip as much as a toe or a hand in the water. I am totally spooked by this. Now we know for sure if the propeller is fouled then David can absolutely not dive. I have read too much about them and know they are quite the most dangerous thing to man. They are totally opportunist and ready and waiting! For the first time I am somewhere I do not wish to be. But we are on our way and have no choice. We do not have sufficient time to catch the tide through the Albany Passage. Four years ago we did an overnight passage from Margaret Bay to round Cape York. Now I am lamenting the fact that we are not doing the same this time. As far as the eye can see the silica hills dominate the mainland shore region. The wind today is between 20 to 25 knots just as the grib files predicted. It was also foretold by the wispy strong wind clouds I saw two days earlier. We enjoy yet another day of superb sailing, under poled our genoa and full mizzen. The combination gives a nice balance to the boat and works so well and she never feels over canvassed. Eowyn and Thor 1V are already into the river and talk us through the entrance. Now the wind is blowing its customary thirty knots. But Graham assures us that it is not as bad as it looks and he is right. Although still very windy when we drop the anchor, the holding is excellent and the water flat. The river estuary is very wide, surrounded on all side by mangrove swamps and altogether rather uninviting. One of the few places on this round the world trip I just cannot wait to leave.......
Susan Mackay