We are about 21 away from the main shipping channel that leads into Cairns. We have seen so many ships going up and down the channel and now even across. We have to be ever so watchful in the dark and even in the daylight. The ships come upon us very fast. This is the time when you realize that the open water of the ocean is far safer than this busy channel which has the reef almost right up to it in places.
We have just about recognized that we are not going to make it to Darwin in time to see the fleet. They should be off on the leg from Thursday I. to Darwin now. We are just nowhere near close to that start! We are slowly making our approach to the top of Australia. There is no wind and so we are motoring along between 6 and 7 kts.
When we went to Mooloolooba we purchased a book by a young girl from Australia named Jessica Watson. She made it solo around the world amid a lot of criticism from lots of people who thought she was too young to attempt such a dangerous journey. She was 16 when she started. It is a wonderful read for anyone who has a dream and must overcome obstacles to achieve it. She writes it in her own words from her journal. She adds her own thoughts after completing the journey to the journal. Jessica seems to encompass the spunk and bravery of many of the Aussies here that we have met. They just seem to take all the dangers that Australia has to offer in stride. And this young girl took on the oceans and in a very postive way. Now that is truly amazing!
We hope to be in Cairns tomorrow. We will see what the town has to offer. Bill has to stop and get a passport picture for one of his licenses for work. Our son Eric went here when he was in the Navy and loved it. We may stay for the night and do some shopping.
Rosemary, Bill and Matt