The Torres Strait Islands proved a magic stop for about a week.  The first few days anchored off Horn Island and then the second half of the week anchored off Thursday Island which is only a mile away.  

 

My last visit to Thursday Island was in the Navy in the mid 90’s. I was very impressed on how the town/community had grown and how proud the locals were.  We did the usual touristy haunts like the old fort, island walks, most northern pub in Australia, and the island cemetery which was very impressive. It had hundreds of Japanese graves from the pearling days dating back to the late 1800s – apparently the reason Thursday Island wasn’t bombed during WW2.  We also topped up on supplies and continued our research for Indonesia.

 

Nigel was due to arrive on the 29^th July, but a missed connection meant he was re-routed to Bamaga on the mainland.  With that news we sailed early on the 30th saying goodbye to a few friends we have met on the way.  Some heading north to Indonesia and others continuing around Australia.

 

We had a fabulous sail back to the mainland to Seisia , arriving at mid-day with Nigel on the dock waving to welcome us in, we anchored next to yacht Counting Stars and had a lovely few days at the beautiful, flat anchorage, with a few walks, sunsets drinks and of course, fishing.

 

We planned an overnight sail to Weipa on the morning of the 1^st August, but sadly the predicted southerly came in harder and faster than expected. Sloppy seas made it a very uncomfortable sail down the gulf, so we decided to pull into Port Musgrave/Mapoon for the weekend to let the weather blow over.   A bit of exploring, fishing and good socialising again with Tony & Julie from Counting Stars who also pulled in.

 

With plans always being fluid and changing, and the fact we had to wait for the southerly to calm down longer than expected, we decided to skip Weipa and Groote Island and sail straight across the Gulf of Carpentaria to Gove Harbour on the morning of the 4^th  to maximise our time in Arnhem Land before arriving in Darwin. 

 

The Gulf of Carpentaria certainly lived up to its reputation.  Downwind sailing for the most part but sloppy, variable and uncomfortable.  At any time, there must have been 3 different swells and seas making it a rock and roll of a trip that made for little sleep, a few books thrown from shelves and the odd cutlery draw being dislodged.  Although a relatively quick trip of just under 3 days it felt longer, and we pulled into Bremer Island to catch up on some sleep before sailing to Gove Harbour the next morning.

 

Great stop and met up with some lovely yachties…. Ross, Gail, John and Deanne.  Lots of plans for this stop including a game of golf, but more on that later.