| Cape Don to Darwin |
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| HOLD ON FOR THE ROLLER-COASTER! Cape Don lighthouse was sticking up like a pink rocket on a launchpad in the pre-dawn glow. We were perfectly positioned, exactly 4.5 hours before high tide Darwin at the entrance to the Dundas Strait with 98 nm to go, through the Clarence Strait to Fannie Bay and Darwin. With 23 knots of wind, we sped along at 10.5 knots over the ground! Jude looks like the guy in the Toyota advert after he's driven the UTE! |
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| The favourable current slackened after the first hour, but was never against us, so we made excellent time. With 20 nm to go we allowed ourselves a true sundowner to celebrate our 4 months anniversary, and imminent arrival in Darwin, the end of our shake-down cruise. Nature obliged by turning on a magnificent show. She's sure been kind to us. 14 hours after raising the anchor we were dropping it in Fannie Bay off Darwin Sailing Club. Too late for the official Happy Hour, but content non-the less. |