August 31, 2008

A bright sunny morning greeted us for the final preparations before the 1130
start. K8 crew were wearing all black as we had so many Kiwis on board, the
Haka was performed in front of the committee boat, very impressive.

Great start, K8 and Branic, fully loaded right on the start line, speeding
away from the fleet at 9 knots plus. A tricky channel to get out of, as lead
boat and deepest keel everyone followed us, luckily this was the way we had
gone into Thursday Island so we could follow our route out.

We had early luck in the fishing competition landing a Spanish mackerel of
10 kilos whether it will be enough to win we will have to wait and see.

After a 3 hour wind speed of 10 knots, the wind picked up to 25/35 knots and
stayed this way to the entry to Darwin, which was some 100 miles from finish
line. So next two days we covered 228 and 220 miles with rolled main and
boomed out genoa, in excellent sailing conditions, be it that the sea was
rather large.

Arrival at Cape don meant the start of the passage between Melville Island
and the mainland, approx 100 miles to finish line. Darwin has a 7 meter rise
and fall in tide, so relatively strong currents, we were lucky we carried
the current right to the finish line, best we had was 4 knots.

As usual mono hull to finish, having covered 737 miles in 80 hours giving an
average of 9.17 knots. Apart from the mainsail outhaul which parted, no
damage, K8 stood the test again.

Anchored in Fannie Bay, Quarantine came aboard at 0800 hours, with diver
under the boat to check we had no evil bugs. They added a chemical to the
sea water inlets which meant that we were not able to us the generator,
water maker, or fridges for 13 hours.

Great meal and drinks ashore at Darwin sailing Club.

August 31, 2008

Darwin has been largely rebuilt following the cyclone of 1972. Today it is a
thriving city, clean, wide tree lined walkways. It has an expat feel about
it.

K8 crew were not going to miss out, a reception at HMAS Coonawara, pig roast
and beer at 2 dollars a pint. A trip to watch Australia playing Bangladesh
in a one day match, outdoor concert from the Darwin Symphony orchestra,
sitting on the lawns of the casino.

The highlight was a 3 day trip into Kakadu national park. The park covers
20,000 sq kilometres. The park is home to varieties of 68 mamals,120
reptiles,26 frogs, 300 fishes, 2000 plants,10000 insects, 290 bird types, .

The tour we took was called Hawk dreaming and involved in staying on
Aboriginal land, in tents, snakes and all. We took two boat trips and saw
numerous crocks of all sizes and some wonderful country side.

The camp was great, so quite, and just the 5 of us on the trip there, and
the hosts.

The highlight was climbing up the rocky outcrops and seeing the Aborigines
paintings which are between 5,000 and 20,000 years old. Listening to our
Aborigine guide telling us about the stories which the pictures represent.

The time went all too quickly, but seeing wallabies in the wild is special
as is the birds we saw, for instance, white bellied sea eagles, great,
intermediate, cattle egret, red tailed cookerborrow,herons,auger
kingfishers, ducks, geese, black kites, hawks, rainbow bee catchers, white
ibis, black bellied stork, great cormorant.

We also saw the world’s largest uranium mine, lots of local press mostly
negative about the scar it leaves on the landscape.

The trip was soon over; just three and a half hours drive back to Darwin on
deserted roads.

August 25, 2008

A quick Blast,
740 miles

A different crew for this leg, no Nick & Rosie, but NZ friends Noeline &
Grant Cooper.

All dressed in black at the start, and did the HAKA to the committee boat,
and our rivals, led by Grant.

Wind blowing at 25/30 knots so a fast 2 sail start, alongside Branec as
leading boats. I tricky channel to go out off, luckily same as we had
previously sailed up, so we just followed the thin blue line on our chart
plotter. Raced boat for Branec down the channel sometimes nearly touching.
Soon out into open water, large following seas, and winds 30-35 knots.

Soon left fleet behind, managed some fishing, and caught a 10 kilo mackerel.

Settled down into a 3 hour watch system, alternated between boomed out
headsail and staysail and 2 sail fast sailing.

By midnight we had covered 109 miles in 12.5 hours.

Bruce, our Australian weather forecaster told us the wind would stay strong
for the next couple of days. This gave us 24 hour runs of 220 & 228 for the
next 24 hours. Grey skies, no moon, seas sweeping the boat, quite warm so
still managed to wear shorts. Across the Gulf of Carpentaria, 30 miles of
the headland of Cape Wessel straight on to Cape Don, this is the entrance to
the long run in to Darwin between Melville Island and the mainland.

Luckily we got the tide right, and were close hauled to Abbots rock, the
wind was dropping as we got there so we rounded and then put up K7,wind now
only 6 knots.

Had lunch, wind died totally, so on with the engine for the last 45 miles,
no wind at all. Still we had the current so at one stage we were doing we
were doing 12 knots.

We managed to finished at 20 50 in the evening, with Noeline and Grant
jointly having the privilege of sailing or motoring across the finishing
line.

Then to anchorage in fanny Bay a few beers, tune the TV in and watched the
finish of the Olympics. To bed after another great sail, 736.9 miles,
average of 9.17 knots.

Looking forward to a good nights sleep

August 23, 2008

Please find below the tidal stream predictions at various Tidal Diamonds

The Tidal Diamonds are all along the Preferred Route. All times are referred to High Water Darwin streams flow in the directions given. Positions are:

A. 12o04′S 130o56′E

B. 12o05′S 131o05′E

C. 11o59′S 131o16′E

D. 11o50′S 131o33′E

E. 11o22′S 131o42′E

For Each Position below in 3 columns are Tidal directions from -6 hours HW Darwin through 0 to +6 HW Darwin, then Spring Tide Rate then Neap Tide Rate, speeds in knots and directions of flow towards the bearing in degrees (ie Direction of Flow Spring Tide Speed Neap Tide Speed). Apologies for the spacing; the one in the middle with double spacing are the details at HW.

POINT A

261 2.6 0.9

260 2.3 0.8

255 1.7 0.5

SLACK (ie at HW -3 hours)

051 1.1 0.4

073 2.0 0.7

075 2.5 0.8 (HW DARWIN)

081 2.3 0.8

085 1.5 0.5

SLACK (ie HW +3 hours)

249 1.3 0.5

253 2.6 0.9

260 2.7 0.9

POINT B

286 4.1 1.8

286 3.7 1.6

287 3.0 1.2

289 1.7 0.7

337 0.2 0.1

103 1.7 0.7

104 3.1 1.4

101 3.8 1.6

106 3.7 1.6

108 2.0 0.8

254 0.5 0.2

279 2.2 0.9

288 3.7 1.6

POINT C

239 2.5 1.1

238 2.1 0.9

238 2.0 0.8

235 1.2 0.5

229 0.2 0.1

079 1.1 0.5

071 1.8 0.7

063 2.3 1.0

052 2.3 1.0

042 1.5 0.6

354 0.3 0.1

241 1.0 0.4

241 2.5 1.1

POINT D

307 1.1 0.5

288 1.1 0.5

248 1.2 0.5

228 1.4 0.5

201 1.2 0.5

165 1.0 0.4

132 1.0 0.4

097 1.0 0.4

072 1.4 0.6

057 1.4 0.6

010 0.9 0.4

335 1.0 0.4

318 1.1 0.5

POINT E

333 2.2 0.9

331 1.0 0.4

SLACK (HW-3 hrs)

158 1.4 0.6

153 2.9 1.2

155 3.5 1.5

144 2.7 1.2

148 1.4 0.6

336 0.7 0.3

330 2.3 1.0

332 3.1 1.3

330 3.1 1.3

333 2.6 1.1

These are copied from Chart AUS 308 Goulburn Islands to Melville Island. I give no guarantee for the accuracy of the original information (rates and directions will vary for all sorts of reasons) and nor do I give any guarantee for the accuracy of my transcriptions.

Please ask on the radio if you don’t understand this or have queries. I will do my best to explain.

Best wishes to all in these conditions!

James
Cleone
10.48S 137 20E

August 22, 2008

On the 8/8/08 it was time to say goodbye to Hamilton Island, unfortunately
our inverters had packed up, and so after several faxes we located new ones
on Brisbane which would be available for us in Townsville.

Anyway found nice lunch time anchorage, off to see aborigine’s caves,
Dugongs, turtles and sea eagles building their nests.

Off to Townsville with an overnight stop at Gloucester Island. Townsville a
lovely town, tricky getting into marina due to the channel being 1.1 meters
at low tide, however our timing was perfect, and no probs.

We were pleased to welcome Sandra Bright (from Potten End) son Tim and his
wife Jasmine, on board for drinks and take them out for a meal afterwards.
Great seafood restaurant and conversation.

Diana was off to the UK on a 0630 flight so taxi at 0500, all went well.

Within hours we were welcoming our new guests all the way from New Zealand,
Noeline and Grant Cooper. It took a couple of days to sort out the inverters
and then we were off. It was not long before David became a Kiwi, complete
with shirt, Haka lessons and a kiwi flag being hoisted on a British boat!!!
Could it be that Kealoha is now called ‘Kiwiloha’?

Great sail up to Low Islets off Port Douglas, great trade wind sailing, very
fast passage at 9.5 knots without trying.

A few hours work to clean some filters in the hydraulic system and we were
off again for another fast sail to Lizard Island arriving at 2000 hours.
David was in the dingy in a flash and off to Andy’s birthday party on the
beach, and to catch up with all the WARC gossip.

Great walk over the island; we found the treasure barrel and signed the
book. 1100 hours off to Flinders Island, arriving at 2000 hours again after
a quick 90 mile sail, wonderful nights sleep for the big passage through the
barrier reef. Anchor up at 0500 hours, 50 waypoints to cover over next 200
miles ant to arrive at Albany Pass on time for the tide.
Yes we did it, the Albany Pass was great, beautiful, shot out the other
side, must get used to the tides again! On the back of Thursday Island we
did 14 knots with just the staysail, however going into the anchorage with
engine full out managed 1.1 knots.

Plenty of wind in anchorage off Horn Island. John, Kim and crew from
Chantelle on board for drinks and dinner.
Quick trip, next day in ferry to Thursday Island for provisions. What an
outback town, still lunch in Top of the World pub, giant burger, what a bar,
betting slips on the bar and betting shop next door.

Back to Horn Island for the briefing for race leg to Darwin, held in pub
called Waneai, a few beers, a few bets, catching up with the WARC family and
to bed.

We’ve had some great food on board as usual and named a recent evening meal
‘Ocean Fusion Cuisine’ ie Thai Green Curry, Italian pasta on the side, on a
British yacht in Australian waters, washed down with NZ wine. Could it get
better?

August 8, 2008

Fiji to Tanna was a fast down wind sail with large seas. Wind gradually
increased from the SE until it was 30/35 knots which made good two sail
reaching, occasionally we used the staysail. So runs of 110 miles in 12
hours were the norm.

As usual we were the first mono hull to arrive in Port Resolution in Tanna
one of the 85 islands which make up the country of Vanuatu.
Tanna has a couple of villages, no electricity and a very primitive life
style. We were welcomed with a ceremony with people from the village who
played music and lead us on a march to a clearing where we exchanged gifts.
The evening a feast was laid on for us and dancing great fun.

The yacht club, where we left a signed tee shirt, had no bar, no changing
rooms, no boats but was great fun.

WELL AFTER OUR WELCOME IN Tanna it just got better and better. We knew that
Tanna was a lovely Island , and we all got an opportunity to visit the
active volcano – don’t even think about the health and safety aspects of
this one – no where else in the world would you be allowed so close to an
active , ( erupting ) volcano .Great photo’s
After a very long journey stopping in Sydney en route we were joined by Mike
, Sam , Ian & Jens – who had come all the way from London to share the last
of the south pacific with us. The last part of their journey was from Tanna
grass airstrip to the boat which was in the back of a truck, over an unmade
up track for 2 hours. – They quickly adapted to the very primitive way of
Life ( on Tanna that is not K8) and were soon sampling Kava with the locals
- while the rest of us recovered form a long afternoon bar BBQ with the
villagers – it was the only way the we could figure out what to do with live
pig that they gave us !

Aided by our excellent electronic cruising guide we set off 60 miles down
the coast to another small island -Erromango. Great sail enjoyed by all in
25 knots of wind broad reaching in large seas. anchoring briefly in Dillions
Bay – where a quick run ashore , lead to a very warm welcome by the
villagers , who invited us to another gift exchange dinner – complete with
local skiffle band.2200 hours on our way again for overnight sail to Efate
island and the Port Villa the capital of Vanuatu.

We arrived on Saturday in time for us to go to the once a year race meeting,
not quite Ascot but great fun, plenty of Champagne and a few winners.
Evening watch NZ v South Africa I yacht club, poor result for the NZ part of
our crew but a good match.

No messing about Sunday lunch at the yacht club organised by WARC. We had a
great BBQ we only had to by the booze. Lunch seemed to go straight into
evening meal and dancing, what time we got back to the boat nobody can
remember.

Michael and Ian managed to pack in 4 dives whilst we were in Port Villa,
rest of us enjoyed being in a town again, what a change from Tanna.

Next few days were spent in the Hilliard Channel and Lelepa island. Great
water clarity, 20 plus meters, warm water to snorkel in. Plenty of games on
the beach, BBQ ashore.

Last day for our guests came rather quickly, back to Port Villa, for lunch
ashore, (this being 18th July) I was kept ashore, a few drinks, then back to
the boat for celebration of David’s birthday, the boat having been decorated
in flags.

Great meals by Jen, plenty of good wine, load music, so it was into the
water fully clothed again, plenty of drinking games.

Fantastic way to say Goodbye to Michael, Sam Ian & Jens.

August 8, 2008

A 1260 mile sail when we set off on David’s birthday. This sail was
interesting from a couple of aspects,
First,
We had to avoid all the reefs and

Second,

Bruce, our Australia weather guru had advice of a massive low forming off
Brisbane with winds in excess of 50 MPH forecast.

The 20th was fun for David, cards were produced at various times during the
day, and presents were given out. The crew, Adrian, Jens, Nick & Rosie kept
their present to last which was a superb stainless steel clock and
barometer. Rosie had also done a collage of family shots when Diana and the
children were aboard, quickly put up in the aft cabin. A couple of day’s
great sailing 225 mile runs each day. Then whoops, Bruce’s predictions of
where the low would be did not come off, so we were still to the north of
the Low but managed to get 40 knot winds. So we had to plod due South in SW
winds waiting for the winds to go to the South. Which they did around
midnight on 23rd July.

This was perfect as we made all speed to the Hygrophers Pass, which
negotiates a way through the Great Barrier Reef. We wanted to arrive no
latter than mid day, which we did so that we could navigate through in
daylight, which we duly did. We arrived in Mackay at 0600 on the 24th July,
truly half way around the world, what an achievement by all the crew.

A week of maintenance in Mackay, servicing of engines, generators, so both
now in first class condition for the next half of the journey around the
world.

We said a fond farewell to Nick & Rosie who were off to Sydney, Perth, Alice
Springs, and should rejoin the boat in Darwin in 4 weeks time.

August 8, 2008

Time for a break, so David headed up to Cairns to meet Diana. It was then on
to Port Douglas for a few days R&R. Apart from great restaurants Port
Douglas is a fun place to be, tours to the rain forest, where we saw plenty
of birds, trees!, crocks to mention just a few.
A trip to the barrier reef some 80 kms away on a fast cat, plenty of
snorkelling, but whet suits were need.

Back to Mackay and our home, K8.

Another trip to the rain forests to see the platypus, smaller than we
thought but another first.

Then back to cruising, 5th august, sailing to Whitsunday Islands. First stop
Shaw Island, Neck Bay. On the way we saw 5 whales, one set of 3 were leaping
out of the water, splashing their tales, what a great sight.

Neck Bay we moved onto Lindeman Island and a 3.6 k walk to the top of the
highest hill on the island and a wonderful 360 degree view of the islands.

Our afternoon sail, nothing is very far apart was to Chalkies Beach, a walk
on a pristine white sand beach, wonderful.
Next stop Hamilton Island, developed as a resort, so had fantastic meal in
Italian restaurant.

The 8 of the 8th of the 8th at 8am was a favourite time to get married, we
saw several brides in white dresses going to receptions in the only means of
transport on the island, the golf buggy.