Day 6 The Torres Straights and into the Arafura Sea

Seaduced
John & Jane Craven
Tue 30 Jun 2015 20:13
We completed our hike up through the Barrier Reef yesterday and arrived at the approach to the Torres Straights around 18.30, sunset. What an anticlimax!! We were expecting ripping currents and to be spat out of the other end like a champagne cork!!  However, apart from a couple of confusing lights, the trip through the Straights was straightforward and we are arrived safely out through the other side at around 20.00.
 
We are now in the Arafura Sea and into our 6th day.  We have, at last, hoisted the sails and turned off the engine - Yippee!!!   For any non sailors, when we are motoring, we will be travelling along at a maximum of 8 knots, with a lot of noise from the engine and, often, an uncomfortable motion due to swell and the boat being unbalanced with no sails
 
However, when we are sailing, we will be often travelling in speeds in excess of 8 knots, with only the swooshing of the waves along the hull and a far more comfortable motion.  It is calm, peaceful and very restful (on a good day!).
 
Anyway, all is well onboard and everybody has settled into a routine and getting on great. As always, food is one of the highlights of the day and, with the watch system we have in place, when you are on 'mother watch' (once every 4 days), your last watch finishes at 3am, you then have all morning to prepare lunch, the afternoon to tidy the boat and do a bit of cleaning before you prepare dinner, a full 8 hours sleep and your next watch starts at 09.00 the next morning. It is almost like having a day off!!