Yesterday I rowed ashore and visited Immigration and Border Protection to arrange for clearance on Thursday and to complete my provisioning.
Today I rowed ashore to top-off the water jerry can I have been using, to shower, and to lunch on salt and pepper calamari. Above is the view from my table at the Darwin Sailing Club.
The row in today was not essential. I could have filled the jerry can when I go ashore Thursday to officially clear; but as you know I don’t like to leave things to the last minute. I bought extra bottles of water for the next few days, so I will go to sea with the jerry cans full.
Tomorrow I doubt I will go ashore. I will remain on board to reconfigure GANNET’s interior to passage mode and, hopefully, impose order on my provisions.
On Thursday I will officially clear and, hopefully, eat a pizza.
On Friday, July 1 here/Thursday, June 30 in the U.S., I will sail.
I am aware of the superstition against beginning a voyage on Friday. I do not share it.
If all goes well I expect to reach South Africa in 6 or 7 weeks.
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A few days ago a man of middle years found it necessary to shout at me as he outboarded in and I was rowing out, “Get a motor!” I assume he considered that wit. I thought of several responses, but did not make them or miss a stroke.
Twice others have offered me a tow, for which I thanked them for their consideration but did not accept.
Only one more in and back.
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Changes in the neighborhood.
A ketch that was anchored a hundred yards away is gone.
A 42’/13 meter sloop came in yesterday morning and anchored fifty yards away.
And last evening just as the sun was setting a catamaran about 40’ long sailed in under jib and main and anchored under sail. This is not one of the commodious and now ubiquitous cruising catamarans, but a more performance oriented design. She is sailed by a crew of two. I enjoyed watching them handle their boat.
