10.54S 135.54E  Sunday 15^th September  Here we are crossing the Arafura Sea on a wonderfully balmy night, the sky is bright with the moon 96% full and it feels totally surreal – the sea is almost flat and there is very little wind so we are literally gliding along.  If you have ever imagined what flying on a magic carpet would be like; shut your eyes and dream for this must surely be it!  Days and nights just sailing, seemingly sliding, effortlessly along = free as the wind – and for me this captures the whole essence of ‘sailing around the world’.  Another game of Scrabble today although Boggle is a favourite too (a gift from Hakuna Matata when they left the Rally)  and a chance to read all the magazines we have accumulated and never had time to read…..its a hard life!

We have just had dinner (chilli con carne with sour cream, tomato and onion salad, grated cheddar and rice) whilst watching a wonderful film ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played’ on the laptop up here in the cockpit, the true story of how Harry Vardon and Francis Ouimet fought it out for the American Golf Open. With the inverter on, it is not too much of a drain on the batteries although we are now in the doldrums and will have to resort to the engine overnight.

We had been warned that the coastguards would fly overhead and we have had three visits so far; one yesterday, one today and a helicopter tonight – checking our port of registration, last port of call and destination together with how many people we have on board and if we have any plants, pets or firearms with us, before wishing us a safe passage. 

Its all change on the option front – the majority of the Rally have opted for Kupang and the Spice Islands before Bali,  so we are hoping to be included in this option if we are not too late to join.  The numbers have reduced the costs and will somewhat increase security - informal radio at 1800 hrs is alive with chat; everyone discussing where they are going and what their plans are from Darwin onwards.  Our directive on arrival in Darwin is to anchor temporarily in Fannie Bay to clear Quarantine and then we will try and find a berth which apparently is a bit of a free for all…. Another three days to go………