Saturday 6 August 2016

Last day in the Kinabatangan. Back down to the Oxbow Lake about 10 NM from western entrance as the sober crow flies. Now heading for Dewhurst Bay 20 miles SE of where we entered the system. This operation looks like a line of ducklings following their mama.

- Later

River cruising: interesting, lots of jungle and critters, but not sailboat territory plus the security is suffocating It's like visiting relatives, love to see them, can't wait to leave. Open ocean in sight. That's the place to be.

Sunday

Woohoo! Sailing - actually have a little wind for this 25 NM run. Also first water making in clean ocean since before Sandakan. We were scraping the barrel. Tomorrow's run is 64 NM around a cape, probably into any wind that turns up. Have to start early and listen to that rackety contraption under the sole all day, staying within 2 NM of the fleet. Pshaw or stronger works to that effect. Eleven more days, then we can kiss the restrictions goodbye. Regrettably we'll also say farewell to many excellent cruising companions, but that's the nature of the life. There's a rally heading to Raja Ampat on the 23rd, but we'll blow that off to get well ahead.

Our token Mexican on S/V Windkist (Weendkeest) had a bash starting around noon. We demurred to read, sleep and recover from the night before, but by afternoon enjoyed the whooping and hollering of tequila powered revelers (who had unsuccessfully tried to keep up with Xavier) flying around the anchorage in their dinghies at warp 8. Conversely we watched two episodes of Game of Thrones, got to sleep early and feel significantly better this morning than they do. We'll try not to make it a habit.

Jack