To Indo 1-3
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sun 17 Jul 2016 10:00
To Indonesia – Days One to
Three
15th of July 2016. All was well this
morning. After a gentle start everything was ready
for the off at 08:00 to set sail for Indonesia, that was until I found a
varicose vein and Bear appeared the toilet is
blocked. Is it I managed to say calmly. I’ll
be as quick as I can but I may have to take it out, strip it and give it a good
once over – a few hours at worst. Lucky, lucky toilet. Although I’m
delighted to report that blocked toilets fall into the blue job list, I felt a
little less than calm and a little more irked........
I looked over at Georgina and then a closer look at our neighbour
Consequence as bits of pipe appeared in the
cockpit. I’ll go and write a blog. More pipe went by and there was the threat of
the whole toilet coming out. No. We both saw the light at the same time – use
sea berth toilet (and if all else fails we can always bucket and chuck it).
Pipes back in, magic cleaner that caused smoke and gurgling - and there it was
all back in action, I only wish I could the same for my varicose
vein.........
Up came the anchor at 08:40, Bear was
a lather of sweat, I took my final look at what will
surely be a contender in this years One Careful Owner and off we went. Seven
hundred and some loose change sea miles.
The
anchorage still has some rally boats waiting for parts or clearance but
most have gone.
Double
Trouble – the final parked lady before our left turn across the
bay.
Through the gap at the end of the bay
I spotted a chum, a triumphant voice deep inside was
keen to shout “I’m coming”.
A quick turn to windward, up with the
main (proper sailors today) and we glided past the final
piece of Australia.
We looked
back and waved and onward. I managed to send a couple of emails and a
final one letting Border Force we had left before we lost all internet
connection with the Pink Island.
Passing the
left door frame, Paw Paw overtakes
and a chum approaches.
NYK
Furano looked splendid in the afternoon sunshine. Heading to
Brisbane at 7.4 knots, this lady is 267 metres in length, 36 metres wide with a
11.2 metre draught (we only had 10.8 metres below us..........).
Soul
about to pass (incredibly I was listening to the Locomotion just as
a little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul, so come on, come on.....was
playing), skipper Mike checking how the sails are flying. All looking
lovely.
Bear caught some
Zzzzzzz’s after his very busy morning.
Our first
sunset on the Arafura Sea.
Just before dark Serica was nearby.
16th of July
2016. Day Two.
At eight thirty we had completed a hundred and fifty miles, fairly rough
sea at about three out of ten on our scale with gusts to twenty eight knots.
Speed average at six point two five knots (everything from 4.8 to 8.4). A few
cheeky waves decided to do a Fosbury Flop over the pram hood and the gaming
table stayed out of action. Sleep between watches was a must to catch up on some
of the frantic activity over the last few weeks. Days
end and finally things began to settle into a wonderful
set.
17th of July 2016. By
eight thirty on day three the Beez had covered three hundred and five miles with
four hundred and one to do. Average speed 6.46 knots. After two days of non
playing it was time to break out the backgammon and Bear fancied stew for lunch.
Everything in a perfect rhythm. Bang. The outhaul shackle disintegrated (the
thingy that keeps the main sail at the back of the track), Bear rigged a temporary bridle to keep things happy until he could have
a rummage.
A quick look at the
chartplotter and there was land – on a big scale of
course.
Bear found a new
shackle, soon in place and in a jiffy the main was being cranked back in the correct
position.
The repair was not quite
robust enough and this shackle bent, time to call it – a reef in and sail corner
put to bed. A
lovely sunny and warm day with the sea a
beautiful blue, time to get the backgammon
out.
Worn out by a
swift loss the skipper took to a gentle snore as I
listened to the Fall of Giants by Ken Follett. I also had a picture in
mind.........
............Some girls are lucky
enough to get the best view on the high
seas.......
ALL IN ALL A WONDERFUL START
TO A NEW CONTINENT
CRACKING
SAILING |