26 August 2010
There was little in the way of a lie in. We had to be up early for the treatment of the hull. In 1999 an infestation known as black striped mussel was found in Darwin marinas. In addition, the Asian green mussel was found in the port of Cairns in 2001. Being serious marine pests having the potential to cause economic and environmental damage, the Darwin authorities allow no one into their marinas until these unwanted stowaways are dealt with. It was a very pleasant surprise for us that the system has changed from four years ago. Then the officials had to come aboard, inlet pipes had to be disconnected for the solution to be pumped through. Since then a very enterprising young lady came up with the alternative of doing the treatment from the outside. All it required was for the engine to be run for a couple of minutes whilst she dived under our hulls and squirted the chemical through. Then it was a merely a case of closing off the seacock and leaving it for 14 hours. As quick and trouble free an operation as one could wish for.
Ban The Birds!
The following day we were ready to head for our allocated berth in Tipperary Waters Marina 8nm away. We had to be there by the time of high water but we quite forgot to take account of a counter current and David really had to push the engine up to 2400revs. We only just made it in time. Due to enormous tidal ranges, up to 7 metres, all marinas here are entered via a lock which, with Keith the marina manager's help, made it a smooth and easy operation. Voyageur now settled comfortably into her berth, was given her customary all over shampoo, being completely covered in salt, squid ink, mud and shells from the anchor. But the worst fouling by far was from my lovely Brown Noddy, so much so that David has from now on banned all birds from coming aboard the boat! That evening we were invited aboard Tucanon for sundowners, Peter getting to see how the other half of the rally live, life on a catamaran with all the voluminous space that it offers. Then it was off for dinner in one of the many restaurants at Cullen Bay Marina. It is a privately owned marina, therefore not available to visiting yachts.
Today is Peter's final day in Australia and he took himself off on a tour of Lichfield National Park which included seeing jumping crocs. Having visited this park last time around David and I stayed home and did a major clean up of the inside of the boat. With the fridge and freezer empty of all our edibles it was a great opportunity to defrost both. The oven was also given the once over, having been in constant use over the past four weeks. My dishwasher really comes into its own for this. I can disassemble all the metal parts inside and voila! at the touch of a button everything comes out sparkly clean. What could be easier! In the afternoon, David and I went on the first of several major food shops as we begin to fill fridge and freezer for the next three months. Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territories and as such an important city for yachtsmen for it is the departure point for those travelling north through Indonesia or south west as we do across the Indian Ocean. It is also a turning point inasmuch as when we leave we are essentially going home. It is from here that I must revictual Voyageur for the coming months. We will not get such a good opportunity until we reach South Africa.
"The Gentle Giant"
They call him the gentle GIANT. Christos is one of the crew on Lady Ev 1V. He reminds us so much of someone else we sailed around the world with four years ago, Christophe Rassy of Halberg Rassy yachts. Like Christophe, he hosted a lovely dinner party in a restaurant named after him, Christo's, here in Tipperary Waters Marina. It was a typical Greek menu, Greek salad, roast lamb and goat, Baklava and coffee. It was his way of saying thank you to those of us who had helped him in some small way since the beginning of the rally. And he did it in such a lovely way, going around the long table explaining to all the assembled company the reason for our being there, all the while Jorg translating in his best English. It was a wonderful evening. Thank you Christos....
And it was a grand finale for Peter who leaves us now. The last month had fulfilled his expectations and delivered everything we had promised him, great sailing, lovely scenery, many varied and interesting anchorages. It was what this trip is all about, but above all, it was a journey of adventure.....
Susan Mackay