I mentioned very briefly in a previous entry that the Kimberley plans had changed. My fault, such trips as these should never be captive of a schedule, and my time was. Rudy could have added another month, and would have gladly done so.

I, however, had a turn around date, and fixed amount of time (2 months - give or take a week or two).

Between Onslow and Steamboat I went right through the likely scenario's and with the best will in the world (and at least five overnight runs) I couldnt come up with a passage plan which would have us at the beginning of the Kimberley's (Silica Beach) before the 10th of June. It also involved considerable motoring against prevailing easterlies. The wind direction would probably have improved, but our experience of the previous 6 days were hard fought efforts to prize distance from the strong easterlies.

Advice from Dave (Dulcinea) was certainly sound, that it would be possible if we went about it in the right way, but also that schedules and boats are never a good idea!

The upshot of this was that by the time we reached Port Weld (Island) and again prized miles from the easterlies to reach Steamboat, Rudy and I had time to face reality (that is to say, my reality) and consider an alternate plan.

As you will know (if you have been keeping up with my missives) we cut across from Steamboat Island to the Montibellos and refreshed our sailing senses without any reliance on the iron spinnaker!

I've already talked about the Montibellos (at length I hear you say) but I failed to mention one aspect. That is the 'Turnaround Meal'. In my original planning for the Kimberley I had included a duck breast and champagne dinner to celebrate getting as far as I was going (ie the turnaround point).

Well I had the duck breast (*2) in the freezer and the bottle of champagne so I selected an appropriate evening whilst anchored near Willy Nilly lagoon. I'd like to say that this was my contribution to the cooking so finely executed by Rudy, but that was not the case (fortunately), I did however contribute the recipe for the two important elements (the duck and the potatoes. Oh! and I also popped the champers in the fridge.

I had brought along my copy of Jamie Olivers 30 minute meals, and as far as possible Rudy followed it (adding of course the odd Rudy touch along the way).

The meal was a resounding success, the duck cooked to perfection (slightly pink) and the complimentary potatoes and carrots were a delight. It did take a little longer than 30 minutes to prepare, but who's counting.

The meal cheered my up no end as I was feeling somewhat deflated at this point in the trip.

The photo is of course the meal itself delicately dressed and presented for consumption!