Flinders Islands Lat 14 degrees 09.3' S Long 144 degrees 13.5' E

We arrived here yesterday afternoon after an excellent sail up the coast from Howick Is. We left at 0700 and did the usual motorsailing for 2 hours to make the necessary water and power. A few reefs and islands to skirt around at first and then more or less straight up the main shipping channel. We managed a broad reach on starboard tack for a while and then had to alter course in a more north westerly direction to follow the changing coast which meant that we poled the genoa out and goosewinged the main on the other side. That worked well and we averaged 5-6 knots all the way to Cape Melville. Then inside the Pippon Islets and at the same time avoiding a couple of clumps of rocks off the cape. We thought then that having come round to a westerly heading for the Flinders Group, we would have a relaxing eased sheets run but then the wind started dying and as we wanted to be into the anchorage before dark, we resorted to the iron sail once more.
"2XS" and "Settlement" and a German boat ("Forty Two") were already there and we anchored off a small sandbank in the Owen Channel between Flinders Is. and Stanley Island. A much more attractive anchorage than Howick but NO SWIMMING due to crocs.
Today we heard Kev and Melody on "Scorpio" on the radio and, as the wind was almost non existent, we motored around the bottom of Stanley Is. to Stokes Bay where they were anchored. A boisterous reunion then ensued and Carsten from "Forty Two" also came over to talk about upcoming weather. We were going on tomorrow but now not so sure. As we discussed with Carsten this is a difficult coast to traverse. The distances are such that we can't afford to use the fuel to motor too far if the wind dies because the next fuel stop is not until Seisia around Cape York and if the wind comes up as is forecast for the next few days (25-30 knots) then we have to make the next anchorage before dark and it might not be too pleasant with incessant rolling causing lack of sleep. Therefore the daily decision making becomes quite onerous and once committed there is no going back. It causes a lot of stress which quickly fades if one gets it right with weather etc but if not then it becomes a problem. Even the weather forecasts are often at variance with each other!! On an ocean passage one just gets into a routine and gets on with it but here with big daily distances and the need to find a sheltered anchorage before dark it can be a little fraught.
It is not a cakewalk sailing this coast! We will certainly be glad when around the top. After that there are 2 longish passages where we'll eat up the miles. Apart from Gove, the Wessel Islands and Port Essington where we plan to spend a few days we'll be hightailing it to Darwin.
Message for Heather: hi Heather - we did get your email, thank you. No problem with its length which was just about right. Glad to hear all is continuing to go well for you.
Cheers and love from us
Jim and Jean xoxoxo

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