Good Bye Darwin

Good bye Darwin. Finally on Saturday the 16th October, 2010 at 0800 hrs we locked out of Cullen Bay Marina.
The small issues concerning our new motor took ages to fix and our patience’s was starting to run out. Ian even suggested that all the businesses wanted to keep us there so they took their time……I don’t think so. More likely they wanted us out; as to save listening to our concerns time and time again.
The weather pattern wasn’t the best, but we had at least 2 good days so we thought. The tide plays an important part getting through Beagle Bay and Van Diemen Gulf to Cape Don. We had a great run with winds 10/15 kts S/E and anchored at Alcaro Bay at 1745hrs. With in 15 minutes the skies opened up and washed all the salt off, this took ¾ hour to complete and what a great job it did.
The next morning our plan was to go as far as weather permitted and we anchored at Valentia Island at 1400hrs. as the seas and wind had increased and we do not have to push into 20kts plus and 1 ½ to 2 meter seas, well not yet. Sunday afternoon and all day Monday saw lots done with fuel transferred from our bladder tanks , checking the new motor etc.
This morning Tuesday 19th had us up at 0300 hrs and making way again as the winds seem to ease back during the evening and early morning, we put 44 nm. behind us before we anchored at North Goulburn Island at 0800 . The seas had picked up again and as we are taking it easy with the new motor; still every mile helps.
Who should be there but…. Anki 11 who we first met going to Broome at Red Cone Inlet.