An idyllic beach scene from Cocos

 

 

The Sri Lankans and others risk their lives in these terrible boats, at high prices, seeking a better life in Australia.

 

 

Another one arrives carrying, we understand, 70 more illegal immigrants.  The Australian authorities seem to take it in their stride and they are off-loaded and sent to camps on Christmas Island very speedily.

 

 

One of Jim’s first jobs was to add our mark to the tree with other cruisers’ mementos.

 

After commencing our passage to Rodrigues we had to turn back as something was broken in our genoa furler.  Photo one shows the broken piece that was ripping our sail.  Photo 2 shows Jim hoisted up the forestay repairing the break and photo 3 shows what other members of the crew were up to at the time.