Day 58 : Saturday 20 June - King River to Mullet Bay, North Goulburn Island
It was actually quit chilly this morning. We were waiting for the tide to rise a bit then left at 10.25am. We followed our in line on the chartplotter out and Escape and Cilantro followed us. My line out was a bit like a drunken sailor as it is very hard to steer to a line! The lowest we went down to was 4.3 metres and then we were out with no wind. We motored up between North and South Goulburn Islands and anchored beside an absolutely beautiful island with lots of pandannus palms on the beach. It is written that this island is of significant Aboriginal importance. We noticed one house on the point. Heard a big bang and it transpired that it was a huge school of fish near the shore. Thought something rather large must have been chasing them and then we saw some rather large sharks at the back of the boat.
Miles 30 Total 2,063
Day 59 : Sunday 21 June - Mullet Bay, North Goulburn Island
Eric from Escape really wanted to stay for a social day so we stayed and had morning tea on Escape with the crew from Cilentro as well. We could see an Aboriginal man on the beach and he appeared to kill a turtle then went in the bush and came out dragging what we think was a goanna. Obviously these people still hunt in their traditional manner. We went to shore hoping to ask his permission to be there but he walked away from us back towards the house. We walked the opposite direction down to some cliffs and back again. Nice to stretch the legs! And the boys caught a few fish off the beach for dinner. As we got closer to the tenders (boats) we realised that Sandra's was floating off so we made a mad dash up the beach (then we had to walk - not real fit!!) and we got in our tender and I motored out to retrieve it. Much excitement!! Then it was back to Cilentro for sundowners. All in all a very social day!!
Day 60 : Monday 22 June - Mullet Bay to Valentia Island
It rained through the night - first rain we have had since Dunk Island. Left at 7.30 am with storms threatening but we managed to outrun them. Put the jenniker up and were doing up to 7.5 knots but then it started getting scary so we got it down just in time. The wind was all over the place and then dropped off so after a boring morning of trying to sail and getting slapped by the sea we started the motor. Rounded De Courcey Head - wonderful scenery, then rounded Cape Cockburn and headed down to Valentia Island. Peter caught a mackerel just before we got there. Anchored on the south side of the island in 6m of water. Sweet & sour fish for dinner!!
Miles: 44 Total 2,107
Day 61: Tuesday 23 June - Valentia Island to Point David, Croker Island
Had a lazy start to the day and left at 9.30am - had a slow sail just under headsail around to Point David on Croker Island where we anchored waiting to go through the Bowen Strait tomorrow. We were a bit worried about our chart plotter as we had heard that C-map was out by half a mile and we wondered if our Navionics Gold was too. Got in at 1pm and had a lazy afternoon. The bay is full of pearl racks so we anchored a bit further out than we would have liked.
Miles 15 Total 2,122
Day 62 : Wednesday 24 June - Point David to Berkeley Bay, Port Essington
We left at 6.30am and we led the way through the shoals and our chart plotter proved to be exact and we had good water all the way through until we got to the end and turned to put the mainsail up then ended up in 3.8m - thought we had stuffed up but the others found 3.8m as well so obviously it had sanded up a bit at the end. Wondered why we had to go such a convoluted way when another boat went roaring up the left hand side under full sail and appeared to have no trouble! A dolphin came and swam under our boat for a while - he had a few scars on him - lovely to have him though. Its great to lean over the bow and watch them just staying in front of the boat. It was a most frustrating long day with no wind except for when we came round Smith Point where we had a great sail (albeit very short). Anchored about 3.30 at Berkeley Bay in the most beautiful spot very close to some red cliffs. Escape anchored a bit further north and saw a 12 ft croc on the beach.
Miles: 44 Total 2,166
Day 63 : Thursday 25 June - Berkeley Bay to Black Point to Victoria Settlement to Berkeley Bay
Left at 8.30 and headed back to Black Point to go ashore to talk to the ranger. There is a small museum there and we got some good info and a map of the Victorian ruins. Here is the history lesson: Victoria Settlement was established by the British in 1838 when it was hoped it would become another Singapore Harbour in northern Australia. It lasted 11 years and was finally abandoned in 1849. The ruins which are left are in pretty good condition being made of stone/bricks containing ironstone. It had a jetty, Govt House, married quarters, hospital & kitchen, bakery, cemetery and garden etc. It was said of the hospital that "the garrison suffered from dysentery, diarrhoea, influenza, scurvy and malaria. At times the hospital was crowded with half the garrison being desperately ill with fever and others being only capable of light duties. At such times maintenance of the stock and gardens was not always possible and buildings fell into disrepair." It was impossible not to feel some of the despair these people must have felt. It was incredibly hot - couldn't imagine what it would be like there in summer.
It was on the way to the Settlement that our chart plotter died so we had to follow Cilantro up the channel and back again. After our 3.7km walk Escape decided to stay (very sad) so we followed Cilantro back to Berkeley Bay but we didn't get back till dark so we nudged our way in (its like being blind without a chart plotter) and our anchor didn't take so had to try again and at the end weren't really sure where we ended up!!!! Had stacks of garfish round the boat which would leap all over the place when we shone the torch. Also saw a small shark feeding on them and the next morning the dolphins take over!!
Miles : 26 Total: 2,192
Day 64 : Friday 26 June - Port Essington to Alcaro Bay, Cape Don
At last, we found out where Cape Don is - its always the last area on the weather report! Saw a dolphin leap right out of the water this morning! We left with Cilentro at 8am. We followed them out and then followed Peter's waypoints - he checked our position on the charts every half hour which got us to Alcaro Bay very accurately arriving at 4.15pm. Absolutely no wind so motored all the way. James and Sandra rowed their tender over for sundowners and we planned our next move. It is all about timing now as we have to catch the correct tides or we would be going backwards!
Miles: 40 Total: 2,232
Day 65 : Saturday 27 June - Alcaro Bay to
We left at 4.30am and it was so dark I was totally disoriented - it was like being in a black pool and not knowing which way was up. Currently heading down the Dundas Strait (went through heaps of whirlpools!) with 5 knots of current with us heading to Cape Hotham tonight for a 2am start tomorrow for our run into Darwin!!!! Got up to 9 knots speed with the engine idling. Not a breath of wind, sea like the desert.
Love to all - miss you heaps
Fair Winds
Dell and Peter
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