Sunday, June 6, 2010

Top Day...Kupang Here We Come


The bounty boys hit the tip of Australia!


It was a slow night with 10kts of breeze but again very enjoyable..there were no surprises like reefs or islands and at around 0800 we were alongside Turtle Island where Bligh hid from some very strong winds....at that point he became very confused as to what or where Cape York actually was...the Nav publication he had put it about 23miles further south than it actually was...we just stuck to the coast and went through a narrow pass just as we saw the tide turning...there was a two knot current against us but we stuck to the edges of the pass and got some back eddies which helped..only one scare when reef came up very quickly...

About an hour later there it was...Cape York...we were sailing about three miles offshore and then saw a small pass between the Cape and two islands north of that...we decided to cut through it as we are shallow draught and thought we could anchor off it which is exactly what we did..about 15 mtrs off the very tip of Cape York!! what a buzz..I let all the crew swim ashore first as we were in a two knot current and very exposed...they took their pictures and came back so I could do the same thing...it was all over in 20 minutes and we were underway again to Horn Island .

Half way across we met up with Stu in the chopper who flew around us for a bit over an hour...both he and I doing some crazy stuff in this time ...then it was all speed to the anchorage arriving at about1800 as the sun was setting...what a great day with plenty of memories..we must have seen 25 turtles during the last hour of approach here...

We spoke to Customs today and we are set to clear Customs and Immigration tomorrow at 0930 on the wharf which is really convenient for us...Bob and Margaret are picking us up in their dingy in the morning to transfer us ashore and if all goes well we should be back on board and away by about 1100 and then it is off to Kupang....we are all really keen now to head back out into the Ocean..Bligh had some real issues with the weather on this leg so we are not expecting our run of good weather to last forever...the boat is good to go and so are we.....a big sleep tonight will top that off big time..!!

We part company with Stu here and he will fly to Kupang ready to film our arrival...Touch wood..not sure when we will get there but we are only two days behind Bligh now....so it may be a close thing...we managed not to eat our normal rations so have at least nine days of rations left....I reckon we may be there on the 16th ??? so it will go close...

Big day tomorrow...Tonga seems like so long ago!!...Don

9 comments:

Sahaja Sam said...

All eyes on Oz again today....fabulous update from you guys, very positive feelings coming through and a great few hours sailing by the sounds of it...and a great photo to keep us all going ! Wonderful news from Talisker.
Jessica and Mike, THE 'couple' of the year, will sail Pink Lady into Mooloolaba in about 8 hours from now and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has all the possible streaming webcams ready to watch that live online.
I LOVE the adventures being lived in your part of the world at the moment. Thank you Don and crew for this continued account of your great journey. Only 2 days behind Mr. B now......chasing ghosts !
Hugs and much love from Mexico

Anonymous said...

Good luck all of you. The worst is yet to come so batten down the hatches and hang in there.........lot's of people behind you now........I felt guilty having dinner tonight and thinking of you guys..MJ

Ehvee said...

Wish we could see what the sign says...

Sarah said...

Good going! Great photo too - everyone is looking very fit and sounding very positive these days. Have to say, following your voyage has put Melanesia and Australia on my 'bucket list'!
All the best on your next leg. PassageWeather shows the wind at your back, more or less, 15 to 20 knots, for much of the coming week. That should help speed you along - enjoy!

Sarah (Canada)

Queenslander said...

I hear the "tip" of Cape York IS creeping south, thanks to people breaking off a bit of rock as a souvenir to be able to say "This used to be the top of Australia!"

I personally know one bloke that did just that!

John

Anonymous said...

I am loving your blog. Thank you so much for sharing your adventure.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sandra

Anonymous said...

Hi Crew,
Thanks for the update Don and beaut photo. As I write this it is 1100 hours - the anticipated time of your departure for Kupang. Thinking of you and hope the next leg of the journey goes well for you all.
Cheers for now.
Ailsa

Ehvee said...

Found a tourist photo in google earth of the same spot in the picture of Cape York that the bounty guys posted here. The sign reads "You are standing on the northernmost point of the Australian continent"

Tonga Visitors Bureau (Ministry of Tourism) said...

Congratulations on making it to the tip of Australia!

Tonga may seem like so long ago for you ... but we've been thinking of you the whole time!

Safe travels to Kupang.

'Ofa atu,
Tonga Visitors Bureau (Ministry of Tourism)
www.tongaholiday.com