Author: kerrizane

24 June 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

Today we went ashore at Cape York and did the vigil to \”The Top\” sign at the very tip of Cape York (The MOST northern piece of land on the Australian Continent). Interestingly, we did this with about 100 of our \”closest friends\”!…:-) It turns out, this is a great \”bucket list\” item for Australians. All ages, all types. Many are veterans of other geographic extremes. The southern most, the eastern most, etc.

After we did the walk, we took the dinghy to York Island (an entire 100 yards) across from the continental tip. From there we motored around Possession Island (Where Captain Cook formally took possession of Australia for England) and came to the small harbor of Seisa. Seisa was named after the ship that brought five brothers here from the Torres Islands in the mid 1800\’s. The wharf here has a ferry which travels daily from Seisia to Thursday Island which we will try and do tomorrow….SPACE AVAILABLE! It\’s currently sold out with all those Aussie tourists who were at the tip of Cape York with us today! So we\’ll try \”stand by\”.

We hope to be off from here on our first overnight together on Wednesday to Gove on the opposite side of the Gulf of Carpinteria. (More on that later).

We are at a nice calm anchorage with only s/v \”Mr. John VI\” (John and Paula) next to us.

KIT, we\’ll keep you posted. Scott and Nikki

23 June 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

Today was quite a day for the crew of good ship \”Beach House\”. We were hailed and invited by Bronwyn and Rusty of \”Torres Strait Pearls\” off their residence at the Escape River. After a coffee and some chat, Nikki and I took a serious look at some lovely pearls. Nuff said on that for now.

We also got a few photos of the two 8 foot crocodiles that live RIGHT NEXT TO THEIR HOUSE! They further told us there is a 13 footer around the corner and that we shouldn\’t hang anything important over the side of the boat….Like our feet!

A late start with the morning excitement got us off toward Cape York, the very tippy top of \”OZ\”. We rounded late in the day and anchored with \”Obsession\”, \”Tin Tin\” and \”Delight\”. We also sailed by old friend \”Mr. John VI\” and radioed our hellos.

Tomorrow, we will try and go ashore and literally stand at the very tip of Australia. It\’s a beautiful setting. Like always, \”photos someday\”…:-)

KIT, Scott and Nikki

22 June 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

We traveled 71 miles today having left Cape Grenville at 0645 local time. The first 15 miles we motor sailed in what was the lightest wind day we\’ve seen. After that, we had a brilliant 40 mile spinnaker run with 13-19 knots of wind almost directly astern. When hoisting the spinnaker, Nikki had a quick time out to take the cake she was baking out of the oven!… We had 6 boats in our little flotilla today stretched out over 10 miles. New friends Zulu and Miri on s/v \”Shapirit\”, \”Kakadu\”, \”Obsession\”, \”Tin Tin\” and one other whose name we haven\’t yet heard.

We sighted Adolphus Island as we entered the Escape River (where we may head tomorrow?) and it is north of \”The Top\”.

We had a bit of a tricky time finding a good anchorage in here and the local pearl farmer and his wife came on the radio and gave us some nice advice. They also told us that there are two 12 foot crocodiles that live on the sand bar right in front of the boat!…

We asked the locals over the radio why this is the Escape River? They told us the famous cartographer, Matthew Flinders was stuck on a sand bank in the river and was glad to \”escape\” without much problem. Hence the name.

Jeanne Socrates aboard s/v \”Nerieda\” (single handed sailor) sent an email recommending we go to Adolphus Island and we\’re ahead of schedule, so we may do just that tomorrow which will be our shortest sail since we left Brisbane. \”Shapirit\” and \”Kakadu\” kept going to get there by dark, but I like to start dropping the anchor around 3:30-4pm in case of difficulties finding a nice spot. It took us till almost 5 pm today to get settled.

So KIT, Escaping the river tomorrow…:-)…. Scott and Nikki

20 June 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

We found the \”divers grave\” on Morris Island. Unfortunately in great disrepair. As there was apparently once a crocodile sighted here, we did not venture into the scrub. Unfortunately, an incredible amount of plastic flip flops and bottles are littered everywhere on these otherwise pristine sand islets throughout the Great Barrier Reef.

We had 33 knot gust last night at Morris, but were very protected behind the small sand island and it\’s very large reef system. When the tide was high, we \”rocked and rolled\”! Otherwise, a comfy evening.

Today was a windy then gray and drizzly day. But 25 knots right on the stern all the way from Morris Island to Portland Roads. Last night after dark, s/v \”Kakadu\” pulled into Morris Island and we sailed up here today with them. Anchored now at Portland Roads, Cape Grenville tomorrow….

KIT, Scott and Nikki