Day 6 The Torres Straights and into the Arafura Sea
Seaduced
John & Jane Craven
Tue 30 Jun 2015 20:13
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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!!
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