Tiare Taporo III at Little Jonah Bay Lat. 20 degrees 05' S Long. 148 degrees 32' E

Well, we're finally on our way. We left Airlie at 0730 and motorsailed most of the way north towards Bowen. At one stage we had the genoa poled out but the wind died again. Such a contrast to the weather we have been having - over 30 knots some of the time and today 13 was the maximum and then only briefly. Our intention was to go through the Gloucester Passage for an overnight anchorage on the Bowen side of the passage but towards the far end of the passage we went aground on a falling tide (!) so the cruising guide is incorrect when it says deep draught vessels will have no problem. Fortunately with the engine at full ahead we managed to get off the sandbank but it was a hairy 30 seconds or so. There's not much time on a falling tide. So we backtracked through the passage and anchored on the southern side of the bay formed by Gloucester Is. and George Point. Only a very short passage today to get back into the swing of things but we will be heading for Upstart Bay tomorrow - about 55 miles. We'll be leaving here at 5. Then probably direct for Magnetic Is. - another 70 miles where we should arrive on Mon/Tues.
At some point we're going to have to do some overnight sailing but that'll be north of Magnetic. We're feeling a bit optimistic again that we can make Darwin in time and really we need to because the prospect of a summer up here in cyclone country doesn't appeal and neither does an 1800 mile nonstop passage from northern PNG to Borneo. So, we're pressing on. Looking forward to remaking the acquaintance of boats we met further south as we go north.
Cheers and love to everyone
Jim and Gina

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