Margaret Bay to Gove

Margaret Bay is such a great place. I can see us spending time there heading south as there is so much to do; weather depending off course. The prawn trawlers use it to anchor early morning to finish sorting out their catch. They have a large pot of boiling water in which they dump the prawns to cook; then into a brine which helps to harden up the shells and give them a better flavor. The packing and freezing then takes place; before sleep then they head out around 1800 hrs. Local knowledge from a fellow cruiser, pointed us to the correct trawler at the appropriate time and we all enjoyed the best prawns ever. Once this contact was made bugs the next day, know wonder a fellow boatie spends months there.
A fighter plane called an Aero Cobra which we presume had to make a forced landing on the beach 1944/45 was visible at low water .It was in remarkable condition considering time, plus the damage that salt water has on all things. Oysters found this piece of history a wonderful place to flourish and we helped make way for more to grow. There are a number of planes in this area including a Mitchell Bomber, most we were told in remarkable condition.
May 9th saw an early start with Escape River our chosen spot for the evening. Seven hours later we entered dogging logs in the water, plus using only one motor as we still had a wee issue to sort out. Bob and Bill came over[ after spotting their first crocodile] and with much scratching of beards and looking, comparing both engine, a loose wire was spotted .What one silly wire can do to the crew of Kiella, not a good day for all. After recharging the battery and enjoying a well earned whisky , the starter key turned and what a lovely sound that starboard engine made and best of all the battery indicator headed to green. The celebrations didn’t end there as we cut our first cherry tomato grown onboard into tiny pieces and shared with Sandy, Bill and Bob.
Tides are going to play a huge part of moving around the Kimberly’s as one needs to use them and not battle against them. Our first experience of this was the next day after leaving the Escape River as we needed to motor through the Albany Pass, this according to all our research can move at 6 kts so timing was important. We made it through at bottom of the tide and anchored an hour later to stake our claim for Victoria at the most northern part of the mainland. By 1400 we had anchored off the beach at Seisia in what turned out to be a little shallow so a quick up anchor two hours later and we moved 100 meters.
Today we are crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria a long trek of approx 345 nm .We had to wait for a weather window and guess what; no waiting. Sometimes one has to be prepared to wait a week or more. So an early start again on the 11th., after going ashore the previous afternoon to purchase an ice-cream each and a few fresh apples. The prices are not that cheap, but we are along way from Cairns or Darwin.
Our crossing went really well and we are only an hour out from Gove .Traveling at night, especially when there is no moon, ones senses become magnified many times over. The waves seem so much larger as you are picked up and go surfing at 18+ into some dark space. A quick look around of the back cockpit, as going out side is a no-no, at night ;revealed 3 fish. Is someone taking pity on me, as to fly them in? Will have to check all around the boat as I’m sure that the smell of a miss placed fish in this heat isn’t what we need.
Our time in Gove who knows? Darwin beckons us late May early June.[ Our email is at the top, would love to hear from some of you.]