Gulf of Carpenteria and onwards

2 June to 4 June 08- Crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria

We left Seisia at 7.30 with a forecast of 15-20 knots southeast. Well, the first day and night we experienced only a 10 knot breeze so we motored a few hours. At times the tide slowed us down and the seas got confused. It was hot during the night, clouds blanketed out the stars and there was no moon anyway. The breeze picked up on the third day and we were glad to arrive in Gove harbour near the aboriginal town of Nhulunbuy. Our crossing seemed to be quite easy, although it did not feel that way.

Gove/Nhulunbuy
A very clean and friendly town. We hitched a ride into town and did some shopping. A phone call to our daughter revealed some relatives of her boyfriend and we managed to get hold of some very lovely people who took us out to the golf club for dinner. Small world! They even drove us to the service station with our jerry cans. Perkins wharf would only fill boat tanks and were booked out for the next four days.

The Gove Yacht Club is still operating, although it is more a pub than a yacht club. The food is good and beer is cold. It was nice to sit outside the club and chat to fellow cruisers. Laundry and hot shower were a bonus. Beware of the sandflies!

7 June to 10 June
We left Gove at lunchtime only to make it to Elisabeth Bay, 27 miles to the north. At Cape Wilberforce we experienced some turbulent water where two different currents meet. We were glad to make it through the passage between the cape and the little island next to it. Soon we anchored in a beautiful, calm bay to enjoy a sunset on the catamaran “Spindrift” in the company of Barry, Silvia and Phil. Off early the next day for a 34 mile run to Guruliya Bay on Raragala Island, which is part of the Wessel Islands. We needed to go through the “Hole in the Wall” just after high tide. Our timing was perfect and we went trough the 64 meter wide and 2 mile long passage with 2-3 knots current, slow enough to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Anchored just 6 miles south of the H.i.t.W. we had enough time to go ashore and explore nature.

Next day a 39 mile sail in fresh wind took us to Refuge Bay on Elcho Island. Again some turbulences around Stevens Island made us wish we were there at a slack tide. Michael took lots of photos of “Spindrift” sailing past us right in the middle of the wild water while I tried to control Jemimah and got washed by a wave from behind. Refuge Bay is a large bay and we needed to go right down 2 miles against the wind to find protection. For the first time since leaving Gove we saw people on the beach. The next day “Jemimah” left before “Spindrift” for the short trip to Galiwin’ku, 25 miles further south on Elcho Is. “Spindrift” finally caught up as we were near the anchorage. We did not see the crocodile next to us as we were approaching the anchorage.

Galiwin’ku is a “Dry” community. Visitors are welcome and we were greeted by a bunch of happy children who were splashing in shallow water. They hopped into ”Spindrifts” dinghy and wanted a ride first. We were greeted by many people walking past us and shown the way to the supermarket. From the outside it looked like a shed but the inside was fully air-conditioned and very well stocked but expensive. Unfortunately the art centre only opens Sundays. We were surprised to find the Internet on Board worked due to a Telstra G3 tower on the Island. We were also warned that the petrol in the dinghi may disappear. But there were no problems, and we are glad that we visited.

Maybe we even get to see a crocodile on our way to Darwin!

On another note, please feel free to add your comments to the blog. We are not really sure if anybody reads this. Hello, anyone out there?

Until next time, take care!
Rosi & Mike