For 17 months now we have been heading to Australia. Here we are now, with less than 100 miles to go and still it seems inconceivable that we are nearly there. I see it on our chart, and know that we will be in Brisbane by nightfall but it is still not registering in my mind. I still somehow think that on the horizon, a small group of islands will slowly appear and not the massive land mass that is Australia. We all have very mixed emotions now, we are excited to be starting our next adventure in Sydney but we are very sad to be leaving Chilli Cat and all that she has meant to us. We have done over 18 thousand miles since we slipped lines in La Spezia Italy. We have taken this little boat to Europe, Africa, The Carribean, South America, the Galapagos, French Polynesia and a host of other places in between. We have seen the most amazing places, witnessed mother nature at her very best, have been able to get up close to awe inspiring creatures and we have done it together as a family and that in itself is a most wonderful experience.
I have just had my post watch sleep and am up on deck again. Just under 40 miles to go so we should see land very soon. The passage has been a good one, quite fast. We had a smooth start with little sea and little wind, then the trades kicked in and we had 2 speedy days. After that the wind died to less than 2 knots so it was sails down and engine on. It was a most beautiful night watch. With no sail trimming to worry about we were able to enjoy the nights star show. There were no other boats around, just us and Lateral Thinking’s lights in the distance. Its bizarre in the huge ocean, but the only other yacht we met was within a nautical mile of us at 4am. We had a little chat as we slowly passed by.
After this calm a southerly kicked in with gusts of up to 35 knots. We were expecting it and Chilli Cat handles it well but its not the most comfortable of travel modes. Still, we are almost there so we can grin and bear it.
I have been up on deck imagining that I see land but it really was low cloud at this distance. Then, at 3.47 in the afternoon, 25 miles from land, there was no mistaking it “Land Ahoy!” We expect to see it but it doesn’t lessen the thrill, especially as its AUSTRALIA!!!!!!! It now seems as though Chilli has kicked up her heels and is desperate to get there too, although logically we know its current and tide (hey, its good to fantasize occasionally). We hear the Australian coastguard on the radio with a weather check, big cargo ships are passing by and our pals are at the marina. We will try to get down to Rivergate tonight, it will be dark but the cardinal marks and lights should all be good and we will both be up on deck for this bit. Don’t care what time we get in but there will be a drink for sure, we did it, we really did it. No damage, no illnesses or accidents, no break ins. This adventure really could not have been more perfect.