As usual, we have members scattered all over the world, but none in more exotic a location than Blackwattle.
Blackwattle is in one of the most laid-back marinas in the world. So laid back, in fact, that the fuel ran out six days ago and no-one knows when there will be any more, two boats couldn't pay their bill to depart this morning because the Harbour Master didn't turn up for work, four boats were waiting for water but the only guy with a key to the only hose was nowhere to be seen, and at 11.00am a notice was put outside the door of the only internet cafe in town saying that it will be closed for a month from tomorrow. It's called La Graciosa, in the Canary Islands, and don't come here if you don't have a LOT of patience. Enjoy Nancy's writing on the Sail-World site.
Meanwhile, David McKay is off to the Classic Barbeque at Lord Howe Island on Diomedea and Koln is coming home from Mooloolaba after its successful winter cruise to the Whitsundays.
Crystal Blues departed Sarawak as told by Neil in the email (sent 31/10) below:
A Smoky South China Sea
Greetings All
Crystal Blues departed Kuching (Santubong River) Sarawak at 6.00am last Friday, for passage to Singapore. Borneo was fantastic, and we'll be back there next year again. We are now about 70 nautical miles from our destination, One Degree 15 Marina. Should be in the slip around midnight. The passage from Kuching was mostly very smooth, though the first 10 or 12 hours were quite lumpy with big swells rolling in from the typhoon (hurricane) up north near Vietnam. As an aside, crossing the bar on the Santubong River, with an outgoing tide in big swells reminded me of the Clarence River in NSW . fond memories.
The wind has been typically variable to nothing, though we did manage 4 hours of sailing on Friday and 3 hours yesterday. After a few clear days, the forest fire haze has returned with a vengence - visibility was down to a mile or so yesterday, and last night there was no visible horizon, despite the full moon. Floating in space ........ weird though. Ships appear out of the gloom when they are way too close - without good radar we just wouldn't be out here.
Many lost or exhausted birds - we guess the haze confuses them or maybe the smoke exhausts them somehow. One swift crash landed yesterday in a very sorry state, stayed the night and perked up enough for a test flight this morning. Did some loops of the boat, came back and hunkered down for a while longer. Drank the water we gave it, ignored the muffins..... From 4.00am this morning we had another swift circling the boat, right up until daylight, when it landed on the lower starboard spreader to recuperate. It's continued onward to wherever now, and the bird on deck has drunk more water and departed, seemingly for good.
We're both well and looking forward to getting some boat work completed whilst we're in Singapore. The Cummins is due for its 1000hr service, and so is the Onan genset. Several other little jobs to do, besides catching up with friends.
We should be in Singapore for two weeks, then on up the Malacca Straits to Penang, Langkawi, and Phuket.
Look forward to seeing some of you over there.
Best wishes,
Neil & Ley Langford
SV Crystal Blues
South China Sea
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