Over the top - Cape York to Darwin

Sadiqi departed the next morning on the rising tide and rounded Cape York - the most northern point of mainland Australia. I left the Coral Sea, Pacific Ocean and entered the Arafura Sea, Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Carpentaria. I dropped anchor near Possession Island for a days rest and recuperation.

Cape York

Possession Island

Sunday, July 28, half past dark o clock I hauled anchor and headed west. I motored in the lee of the mainland, the seas were sloppy and winds light.

Tuesday July 30 It was a pleasant overnight sail in 15 to 20 knot SE winds.
Sailing in the open waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria made a change from being constrained by land and the Great Barrier Reef. The downside was reduced protection from the wind waves the further away from land.
1700 Beer o clock was observed - libations to absent family and friends.
I changed the time zone to UTC +9.5
1700 Beer o clock was observed again - skippers prerogative - libations to absent family and friends.

Chasing sunsets

Wednesday, July 31, a good fast overnight sail. The wind pilot was working reasonably well steering the boat. The skipper slept a little better waking every 40 minutes to check for traffic. I purposely stayed out of the recommended shipping routes.
1700 Beer o clock was observed. Winds 15 to 20 knot SE, swell 2 metres rolling along.

Thursday, August 1, 0100 dropped anchor in Two Island Bay, Marchinbar Island of the Wessels group.
I generally avoid entering anchorages at night. I had good information on the wide and remote anchorage. I slept exceedingly well.

Two Island Bay, Marchinbar Island

Friday, August 2, Friday the skipper did boat maintenance, baked bread, prepared Bolognese meals, passage planning and worked on the blog.

Saturday, August 3, at 0616 Sadiqi left Marchinbar Island. Winds were 15 - 18 knots SE
The swell became 2 to 3 metres, nasty, lumpy, short interval, steep, cross seas.
1700 Winds were 20 to 30 knots SE. Beer o clock was skipped and so was the evening meal.

The winds were reasonable 15 to 20 knots SE in the morning. By late afternoon the winds were 20 to 30 knots from the ESE. When the wind and the tidal current are in accord Sadiqi travels fast and relatively smoothly. The sound of the hull slicing smoothly through the water is soothing. When the wind and tidal current are opposed the waves are steep, wave interval short and the passage rough. Every so often a large wave set will tip the boat on her beam ends. Not a comfortable ride. The wind vane was not coping well. Sadiqi was knocked on her beam ends several times. An aberrant wave slopped into the cabin giving the stove an unwanted salt water wash.

Sunday, August 4. Boisterous sailing conditions overnight. Winds 20 to 30 knots. Swell up to 4 metres at times.
By mid morning the winds moderate to 18 - 20 knots SE.
1700 Winds were up to 20 to 30 knots SE.
Beer o clock was skipped.

Monday, August 5. Another boisterous overnight sail. Winds 20 to 30 knots. Swell up to 3 metres at times.
Midday in the lee of the Crocker Island the winds eased to 8 - 10 knots ESE.
Approaching Dundas Strait the winds dropped to less than 10 knots from the NE. I started the engine and pushed against the current. Sadiqi motored slowly to the shallows where the anchor was dropped and we waited for a change in tide. I checked the engine alignment as there appeared to be more vibration than usual. I also tightened the prop shaft stern gland. On the turn of the tide I motored toward Cape Don.
1745 I dropped anchor in Popham Bay near Cape Don.

Sun rise Cape Don

10 knot speed over the ground (SOG)

Tuesday, August 6, 0520 I hauled anchor.
0630 Winds in Dundas Strait were 12 to 18 knots SE.
Sadiqi was sucked into Van Diemen Gulf on the flooding tide, speed over the ground (SOG) 10 knots, speed through the water 6 knots.
1045 Winds 10 knots ESE. High tide was 4 metres. Big Bertha the asymmetrical barely flying, speed over the ground 3 knots.
1800 Dropped anchor in Adam Bay having done about 65 miles.

Drifting in Van Diemen Gulf

Wednesday, August 7, dark o clock 0445 I hauled the anchor.
Wind zero.
Exiting Van Diemen gulf proved a challenge pushing against a flooding tide. Fortunately I had hauled anchor early and managed to push through Howard Channel while it was still only 2 to 3 knots of current. It was slow going. I was reminded of leaving Madagascar motor sailing 32 miles in 24 hours against the currents.

At midday the wind was 6 - 8 knots NW. Sadiqi had only motored 25 miles since leaving Adam Bay.

1600 Arrived Fannie Bay, Darwin. A very pleasant anchorage with many anchored boats.
I had to be mindful of the up to 7 metre tides around Darwin. It would not do to be tipped out of my bunk with the boat on its side at low tide.
The sunsets were spectacular. 

Fannie Bay sunset

There was very little mobile phone signal since leaving Cooktown. I seem to have coped without being tethered to the internet. When I did get access there wasn't that many messages. I appear to be have survived that aswell.

Turning the boat from transport to accommodation.
Getting rid of the rubbish - mainly plastic.
Sanitising the laundry,
Filling water
Refueling
Food shopping
Darwin Sailing Club issued temporary membership for $15/week. Great showers.

Sun rise Fannie bay

Darwin has a pleasant laid back feel. There appears to be less oppressive rules and regs. One would hope so with the name of the capital of the Northern Territory. Charles Darwin, who wrote of evolution and natural selection.

https://darwinawards.com/

Sun rise Fannie bay