I'm there at last...
Wildfox
Anthony Swanston
Sat 26 May 2018 04:00
Not only did
the light winds continue but I had current against me for most of the way. The Pilot Charts say the opposite. Very peculiar conditions altogether. I used the engine as little as possible but
sometimes that would mean going backwards with the adverse current. I can always call into Sumatera to get more
fuel but that is all a bit of a process without having an advance visa. In northern Sumatera they have Sharia Law and
it is Ramadan so the whole prospect is unattractive. I monitor my fuel carefully and carry on
deciding to go to Phuket which is one day closer. And I have more friends there.
The shipping
gets busy and there are also some strange and unpredictable fishing boats. Finally Phuket is within striking distance
and, Murphy’s Law, I get good current behind me. Which will get me to Chalong in the dark. So I have to slow down!
I get
ashore, get money, get checked in, get ‘phone and data SIM cards recharged, get
back aboard, get drunk.
Two hours
short of 25 days to make good 1,650 nautical miles with 160 hours of
motoring. Hardly a record, is it?
Next morning
at 0430 off to Boat Lagoon, the early start to get deep enough water to get into
this tidal marina. Rain the whole way but it is nice to be tied up in familiar
surroundings.
And now for
a plan…
