Work, work, work

We are currently in Tipperary Waters Marina, which is a small marina not too far from town, in an area called Stuart Park. It might be small in size, but it is big on friendliness and helpfulness. All marinas here are accessed via locks, and this one is no exception. As we came up to the lock it looked very small indeed, but once we were in there was still room to spare.

We have been very busy doing jobs on the boat, I have repaired sails, been up both masts all morning repairing our deck lights, been to customs to start clearout procedures, found out about duty free alcohol delivered to the boat, off to the Indonesian Embassy for our visas, organising health insurance and boat insurance and the million and one other things necessary to get Sunray II and ourselves ready for I day (indonesian day). Tony has also been busy with batteries, outboard motors, engine bits and refuelling.

Hope to get the rest of our chores done this week so that we can get in some sightseeing before mum arrives on the 10th July.

After all that figured we needed some R & R so went to the casino for lunch to yesterday with Margaret and Neil from Bluestone and David from Mirage to celebrate Margaret's birthday. And a good time was had by all.

Today is NT day, they really celebrate with a bang up here!! The fireworks started at 7.30 pm and are still going at 10.30 pm. Have been told they could continue until midnight. This is the only state in Australia where individuals can still buy fireworks and millions of dollars are spent and set off in just one evening. While I enjoy a fireworks display, it gets a bit much when it goes on this long.

Darwin Sunrise

Well, we finally made it to Darwin. No, that is not a sunset, I am not confused after sailing all night, it really is sunrise NT style in June. Apparently they burn off this time of year, plus there is also a firebug on the loose, so there is a lot of smoke in the air.

We arrived at 07.30 on the 17th of June 2010 after a two and a half year sail up the east coast from Yaringa in Westernport. As we intend to continue on to Indonesia I thought it was time to start a blog.

We are in Tipperary Waters marina, where we will be for the next 4 weeks while we get ready for Indonesia. My brother Fred and his wife Annika live just 20mins. up the road, and have already been incredibly generous, with the use of a washing machine, (and a swim in their pool while its washing) and the loan of a car while we are here, which will make life so much easier. Mum will be flying in on the 10th July so there will be plenty of family here to wave goodbye.

Have been busy cleaning the boat inside and out, everything was covered in salt, so much so I could have started my own salt mine. Emptied out the V-berth as our friends Barb and Gary from Drouin, Vic are coming to visit us on their way to Groote Eylandt.

I will keep you posted on our progress here as we prepare for the big adventure.