Valentia Island Lat. 11 degrees 23.3' S Long. 132 degrees 46.4' E

Before chronicling today's doings, Jean's herculean efforts in the galley and on deck need mentioning. She consistently provides tasty snacks during the day even under extreme duress when the boat is rolling scuppers under sailing downwind - which is most of the time. And tonight is just another example where we had steak (Jim) and salmon (Jean) plus veges and all at the end of a gruelling day. And whenever there's a job to do on deck such as the other night coming across to the Goulburns when we had to gybe the main in difficult conditions she put on her harness, clipped on and went out in thr dark to transfer the main preventer from one side to the other while yours truly controlled the boat rolling diabolically - itself no mean task. We've said it before - this cruising the oceans in a small yacht is no sinecure. G&T's in the cockpit is a mirage and this coast is probably one of the most difficult to sail. High winds (mostly downwind which means ROLLING) and then up here strong tidal currents all combined with indifferent anchorages. Asia better be worth it!!!
Today we left North Goulburn at 0700 after 2 other catamarans had arrived from the Crocodiles in the small hours. We couldn't use the engine much because we are getting worried about our fuel reserves so we sailed straight downwind for 35 miles rolling all the time. Started off with the main double reefed and poled out genoa but as the wind didn't show any signs of increasing we shook the reefs out of the main. Probably increased our speed by 1 knot but then the tide turned and we eventually at 1300 rounded de Courcy Point doing 5 knots over the ground with Cape Cockburn 3 miles ahead. At last a slightly better wind angle and we then turned for the final 8 mile approach to Valentia. Not a bad anchorage but has the usual roll coming round the point. Darwin now 230 miles - within reach!!
Tomorrow something a bit different. We pass through Bowen Strait which is shallow (20-30') and strewn with banks. Fortunately all well charted so we will be relying on the chartplotter as usual!! Then either Raffles Bay or on to Port Essington which is 51 miles from here. We'll see how we go.
Lots of love from us..........
Jim and Jean xoxoxoxoxo

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