Thursday 5 January 2017 - Evening

Depending on your point of view, forecast keeps getting better and better or worse and worse. This is often the case when it doesn't stay the same - food for thought. After those awe-inspiring words of unsurpassable wisdom and logic, here's the situation: Latest wind data shows less wind and reduced sea. This is good, right? Hold on there Kemosabi. What we had was not so uncomfortable and a decreasing trend indicates possibility of insufficient wind to get us abeam Melville Island in time, around midnight Sunday, to catch the incoming tide through Howard channel and into Darwin. It's a long way to Tipperary when fighting a 2 knot current.

Friday

Oddly enough, forecast is pretty accurate so far. Who knew? Sailing reefed down making excellent speed. Must average 5.6 knots to catch the tide. Well ahead so far, all of 15 NM into 425 NM passage, and bound to remain good, right? Anyway, it's an excellent start. Already enjoyed a squall, but pretty mild as these things go. Hoping that away from land without the extra heat consequently generated they will continue to be pussy cats.

- Later

As turns out, initial weather was a cruel hoax. Wind has been stronger and closer to bow than one might have anticipated had he been foolish enough to believe such prognostications. It could have broken for the better, but didn't. Very energetic sail last 24 hours, enlivened by 30 kt. squalls. Making great time, but hard to relax. Not to worry as new forecast indicates better conditions shortly. Pretty sure we can count on this one.

Saturday

One down two to go. Conditions have indeed improved, but still close reaching at 55 to apparent wind in meter and a half sea. Now if only we could do something about the squalls.

Sometime last night mainsail in-mast furler decided to croak. Circuit breaker reset no help, but control box has a fuse that might have blown. That can be found under forward bunk, atop which about 150 kilo of dive gear and other crap resides when not accommodating guests. Once mattress is removed a storage locker must then be cleaned out to finally access a thing that is possibly OK. You see where this is going don't you? Fortunately sail was set at maximum reef and there is a manual override on the mast that will be checked sometime later today. Optimism abounds.

Sunday

Tried to send this, but no connection so blather rolls on.

Paid for good conditions yesterday with squally weather throughout the night. Notwithstanding that delay, progress has been so good expect to stop for five hours or so on Melville Island before continuing with favorable tidal current. Howard passage has up to 3 knots, so it's worth the wait and after last night, need the nap. Should arrive Cullen Bay Pontoon around 1300.

Monday

Heavy squalls and 2 kt. adverse current only gave us 2.5 hours rest at Melville, but felt good. Plan is working so far through channel. One more try getting this sucker out then may have to wait until the marina.

Altered watch after nap had Jan in the unusual circumstance of being awake for sunrise. She's not impressed. Apparently, compared to sunset, which is often accompanied by the non-coffee beverage of one's choice, it's just not worth interrupting one's prime sleeping time. Rest of crew is beginning to appreciate the concept.

Jack