| DARWIN |
| Darwin is a thriving tropical city, due mainly to the Military buildup because of Australias involvement in E.Timor, and the likely development their independence will bring. It's also the starting and finishing point for many backpackers who are a huge industry in Australia. Facilities for them vary from modern and comfortable to positively seedy, and we take full advantage of the internet cafes and cheap eats and drinks wherever we can, after all, we're on very similar budgets, just doing it a bit later in life!! Darwin Sailing Club in Fannie Bay is great, but the dinghy ride ashore is too long and wet for comfort, so after cycling around to get our bearings, we decided to park at the new marina on the other side of Darwin at Tipperary Waters near the Dinah Beach Yacht Club [very laid back] Here we caught up with our mate Graeme Nolan off the Crowther 43 cat Tempo II who some of you will remember in North Harbour a year ago! |
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| The marina is controlled by a loch because of the big drop in tides. It was an interesting experience going through, and good practice for the Panama Canal!! After we'd booked our berth, Ducks brother who's just moved from Innisfail phoned to say he'd just bought a unit at Tipperary Waters! How's that for a co-incidence? An Irish couple Peter and Susan, have just arrived on a 41ft yacht Waxwing, and they plan to go the same way as us. We love it here and will probably stay four weeks to prepare for the BIG ONE |
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